26 Other Wetland Aquisition Considerations 



ranching (e.g., wetlands incidental to irrigation practices). In general, 

 wetlands that can be acquired from willing sellers should be given 

 priority in the acquisition planning process. 



Fee title acquisition of wetlands generally offers the greatest opportunity 

 for land use management and control. Acquisition of a lesser interest, 

 such as an easement or deed restriction, may be less effective (although 

 not necessarily less desirable) to protect a wetland site unless sufficient 

 restrictions are included to secure the desired public interest values. In 

 general, the following factors must be considered in establishing the 

 effectiveness for wetland protection of a purchase that is less than fee title: 



1) Time Period - In perpetuity easements are preferred over short-term 

 (e.g., 10- or 20-year) easements. 



2) Protection of Wetland Resource Values - Restrictions on wetland 

 uses by the landowner must be specified in the easement to protect the 

 fish and wildlife habitat, water sources/supply, public access and/or 

 other appropriate functions or values of the site. 



3) Cost Effectiveness - The cost for securing the easement (or other 

 interest in the wetland) with the appropriate land use restrictions 

 should be less than the cost of fee title purchase. 



Fee title or easement acquisition need not only involve cash purchases; 

 land donations or exchanges are also acceptable. As appropriate, local 

 interests or groups other than Federal or State agencies, such as The 

 Nature Conservancy or the Audubon Society or similar non-profit groups, 

 may be involved in the wetland acquisition planning process and 

 management. 



LWCF appropriations provide a major source of money for land 

 acquisition (non-wetland and wetland) by the Bureau of Land 

 Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and 

 National Park Service (NPS). Additionally, funding for acquisition of 

 Fish and Wildlife Service refuge lands (including waterfowl production 

 areas) is authorized by the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation 

 Stamp Act £ind Wetlands Loan Act. LWCF monies are also provided to the 

 States for land acquisition and facilities. States received almost $370 

 million in LWCF monies in Fiscal Year 1979 and $16.5 million in Fiscal 

 Year 1988. Many States also have their own programs for funding 

 wetland acquisitions. Among private organizations. The Nature Con- 

 servancy operates a successful land acquisition program designed to 

 protect outstanding examples of natural communities and demonstrates 

 that private citizens and organizations can cooperatively purchase land 

 which they believe has a higher and better use for which they are willing to 



pay- 



