The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
(ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.
What's New in ACEP?
ACEP is a new program that consolidates three former programs – the Wetlands Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.
ALE protects the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space.
WRE provides habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities.
The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) protected, restored, and enhanced grassland, including rangeland, pastureland,shrubland, and certain other lands.
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) protected, restored, and enhanced wetlands. Achieving the greatest wetland functions and optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in WRP was the goal.
