0578-AA47 201104 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0578 Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS 0500 Department of Agriculture USDA Wetlands Reserve Program Wetlands have long been recognized as critical to enhancing water quality and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. They provide a protective buffer for our towns and cities against floods and storm surges. Wetlands are the habitat for hundreds of species and connect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The Nation's wetlands provide an array of benefits to society and affect the Nation's economic, ecological, and cultural heritage. The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners to restore and protect wetlands. Protecting wetlands provides wildlife habitat, as well as enhancement of soil, water, plants, and related natural resource concerns. Floodplain forests, prairie potholes, and coastal marshes are among the wetlands restored through WRP. Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Long-Term Actions No No 7 CFR 1467 16 USC 3837 Statutory Final 09/00/2008 Section 2709 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 requires rules to be promulgated within 90 days of statutory enactment. No Interim Final Rule 01/15/2009 74 FR 2317 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 03/16/2009 Interim Final Rule, Correction, Re-opened Comment Period 06/02/2009 74 FR 26281 Re-opened Comment Period End 07/02/2009 Next Action Undetermined To Be Determined No No None No No 0578-AA16 Previously reported as Jessica Groves 0500 Department of Agriculture USDA 202 720-1067 jessica.groves@wdc.usda.gov 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington DC 20250