**WRP Guidance Sheet**

**&**

**Planning Checklists**

### Phase I- Preparing Application Package

1.  **DC.** DC receives request from landowner and makes arrangements
    for on-site evaluation with Puga, agency partners, ARC(P), and
    wildlife biologist. Puga makes site review for land eligibility
    based on eligibility criteria (WRP Manual 514.11). Complete acreage
    estimates for each category of eligibility. Mark tentative boundary
    in field or on aerial photo. If eligible, proceed to next step.

-   Second visit may be needed with a soil scientist and/or engineer if
    questions arise that need their expertise.

2.  **DC**. Fill out the **application form, AD-1153**. [Complete
    AD-1153 in its entirety]{.underline} with legal names, addresses,
    phone numbers, signatures of applicant(s) and any others with a
    legal interest in the property, taxpayer ID number(s) of
    applicant(s), signature of District Conservationist, and legal
    description of proposed WRP acres. Obtain a copy of the deed or
    other ownership documents from applicant. A copy of creation
    documents is needed for all trusts, partnerships, corporations, etc.
    The document should indicate who has signatory authority. Examples
    of the documents include Articles of Incorporation, Partnership
    Agreements, Power of Attorney documents, Trust information, etc. We
    need to get copies of any of these that apply to the project.

3.  **DC and ARC(P).** If the deed does not clearly demonstrate clear
    title to and ownership of the easement area, make arrangements with
    the local title/abstract company to perform a title search (approx.
    \$75). *In the Arkansas Valley, it may be prudent to do this
    regardless of the ownership documents produced.*

4.  ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date Rec'd in SO**).* DC, **ARC(P) & Biologist.**
    Provide the following items:

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a.  **AD-1153 Application**

b.  Provide the completed **ranking form** for the current year.

c.  Delineate and provide the eligible acres according to WRP Manual
    514.11. Be attentive to the acreage of "other" land. If the
    application exceeds a 1:1 ratio of eligible land to "other land",
    then a written request to the STC is required with technical
    justification. Provide with support documentation from the USF&WS or
    DOW.

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d.  Provide the **Preliminary Certificate of Inspection and Possession**

e.  Provide the **Hazardous Substance Examination Checklist.**

f.  Provide the **CPA-52, Environmental Effects** form.

g.  Provide draft Restoration Plan (see attached checklist or 514.19 of
    manual). Use **AD-1155 or Preliminary Plan Worksheet** for practices
    and costs. Needs to reflect the contributions received from
    partners.

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5.  **Puga, Skadeland, Rasmussen.** Send the application package to
    Puga, and he will review the application package for the above
    information. If acceptable, he will also notify Rasmussen to proceed
    to the next step.

6.  **Rasmussen** assigns a contract number, and notifies Puga of the
    contract number.

7.  **Puga.** When funding is available, Puga prepares and sends the
    **Letter of Tentative Acceptance to DC.** DC sends to participant,
    with copy to the AC and Rasmussen, along with a form **AD-1159,
    Intent to Continue** which the applicant must sign and return to DC.
    Send by certified mail with return receipt. Enclose a stamped,
    self-addressed envelope with the letter and form. The Intent to
    Continue must be returned to DC within 15 days of delivery to the
    applicant as evidenced by the return receipt from the Post Office.
    DC provides the original signed AD-1159 to Puga.

8.  ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date Rec'd in SO)* Rasmussen.** Rasmussen notifies
    Sansburn to commit funds in FFIS.

## [Phase 2- Finalizing the Easement]{.underline}

9.  **Rasmussen.** Orders appraisal from a Certified Appraiser using the
    revised Task/Delivery Order form, submit directly to the appraiser.
    Provide notification to appraiser to contact DC, copy of
    correspondence to DC and AC. Also notify appraiser to send appraisal
    report to Puga.

10. **DC.** Meet with the appraiser and the applicant on the site.

11. ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date)* Rasmussen.** Appraiser will send **AD-1161**
    with taxpayers ID to Rasmussen for review. Rasmussen informs DC of
    offer value. Rasmussen provides the **AD-1161** to Sansburn, who
    makes payment and provides a copy to the appropriate District
    Conservationist. Sansburn obligates funds in the FFIS Database.

12. **Rasmussen.** Prepare **the AD-1157, Option to Purchase
    Agreement.** Send **AD-1157** to DC who sends it certified/return
    receipt to participant. Provide copy of the correspondence to AC.
    Provide self-addressed stamped envelope for the applicant to return
    the form to the DC. The applicant has 15 days to return the signed
    **AD-1157**. Be sure to send 3 copies to producer, along with a copy
    of the Warranty Easement Deed. Producer keeps one copy, and the
    other two are returned to Rasmussen, for Dennis's signature.

13. **Rasmussen and DC.** After the signed Option to Purchase Agreement
    is received, Rasmussen orders the land survey from one of the
    approved surveyors after discussion with the DC. (Contract
    Specialist, Tony Doxtater, has A&E contract with several surveyors
    in the state). By cover letter with a copy to the AC, send a Survey
    Task/Delivery Order to surveyor. Instruct the surveyor to contact
    the DC in order to provide the on-site WRP boundary locations. Also
    instruct the surveyor to send survey and request for payment to
    Rasmussen.

14. **Rasmussen.** If survey shows more or less acres than on **Option
    to Purchase, AD-1157**, an **amended Option to Purchase, AD-1157A,**
    will be sent. (SAME AS STEP 12)

15. ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date)* Rasmussen** Fills out **AD-1161** to pay
    surveyor. Be sure to include the surveyor's taxpayer ID number on
    this form. Rasmussen provides the **AD-1161** to Sansburn to
    obligate funds, and make payment. Sansburn provides a copy to the DC
    and Rasmussen.

16. **Rasmussen.** Orders **title insurance commitment** from an
    approved local title/abstract company.

17. ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date Rec'd in SO)* DC, Biologist, and ARC(P).**
    Steps 17 through 19 will proceed concurrently with steps 16, 20
    and 21. **Closing will not be scheduled until steps 17 through 19
    are completed.**:

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a.  **Final** **Restoration Cost Share Agreement AD-1151, supporting job
    sheets, & special provisions/violations.**

b.  **CPA-52 Environmental Effects.**

c.  **AD-1154 contract.** (Contract Period is from the easement closing
    date, which will be entered at the time of closing, to ten years
    last installation of last Cost Shared Practice. **NOTE: Suggest
    using 9-30-xxxx or 12-31-xxxx as end date.**

d.  **Habitat Acres Enrolled Worksheet and Partner Worksheet**

e.  All other "bulleted" items as required in **Wetland Reserve Program
    Manual, dated October 2000, 514.19 d (Final Plan Contents).** The
    landowner does [not]{.underline} sign the LTP unless the landowner
    has a special interest to contract for or install all practices. The
    alternative is that NRCS will contract for plan implementation with
    another entity.

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18. **Puga & Skadeland.** Completes final technical review of the
    restoration plan to insure the plan is complete and meets program
    objectives. Puga will also have Soils and/or Engineering review if
    needed. If OK, forwards the plan to Alexander for approval.

19. **Alexander & Rasmussen.** Sign the restoration cost share
    agreement, provide signed agreement to Rasmussen for funds
    management purposes and filing. Also provide DC and AC with copy of
    plan.

20. **Rasmussen**. Once commitment received, notifies the DC to initiate
    an **LTP-23, Certificate of Use and Consent**, for completion. DC
    should call Finstad as necessary to discuss encumbrances that may
    affect NRCS' consideration in signing the form. Provides completed
    form to AC and Rasmussen.

21. **Rasmussen**. Transmits information to USDA Office of General
    Counsel (OGC) for a **Preliminary Title Opinion** (**PTO**), with
    copy to DC and AC.

22. **Rasmussen**. Receives PTO and prepares **Closing Instructions**
    for Closing Agent (w/ copies to DC and AC). **Closing will not be
    scheduled until Steps 17 through 19 are completed.**

23. **Rasmussen**. Closing scheduled. **Closing will not be scheduled
    until Steps 17 through 19 are completed.** Closing Agent coordinates
    with land owner(s) on this, and provides Rasmussen with a target
    date for closing and an estimate of closing costs.

24. **Rasmussen**. After closing, Closing Agent records **Warranty
    Easement Deed, CCC-1255 or CCC-1255A, Subordination Agreement and
    Limited Lien Waiver, AD-1158, and other documents**, then forwards
    recorded originals and title insurance policy to Donna who forwards
    copies to DC and AC.

25. **Rasmussen**. Coordinates with DC on submission **of NRCS-LTP-22,
    Final Certificate of Inspection and Possession**, and provides to
    Rasmussen with a copy to AC.

26. **Rasmussen**. Transmits information to OGC for **Final Title
    Opinion**. OGC sends Rasmussen Final Title Opinion. Rasmussen sends
    copies to DC and ARC(P).

27. ***(\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date)* Rasmussen**. Prepares **AD-1161** for making
    easement payment and paying closing costs for recording easement
    date. Rasmussen will provide copy to the DC and ARC(P), original to
    Sansburn for payment.

28. **Rasmussen**. Works with GIS to digitize easement delineation into
    national digital map.

### Phase 3- Implementing the Restoration Plan

**DC**. Easement Management

-   Implement the restoration cost share agreement just as any other LTC
    is implemented, unless another form of contracting has been selected
    (i.e. Coop. Agreement or federal contract)

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-   Annual WRP Monitoring Checklist by October 1^st^ annually

-   Annual Compatible Use Authorization by April 1^st^ annually

-   DC submits contract modifications to Alexander as needed

-   Rasmussen records "restoration completion" upon receipt of last CIN
    payment application

What happens when a portion of an easement is sold. New file should
contain:

> Transfer Agreement
>
> Survey from the new landowner
>
> Copy of title insurance policy from the original easement
>
> Indemnification Agreement
>
> Subordination agreement
>
> New conservation plan