Iowa also leads in backlogs, followed by Missouri, Minnesota, and Illinois. North Dakota is last in enrollments due to the limits the state places on new enrollees. State wetland coordinators said these numbers would be higher if there were more acres available. Wetlands are marshes, forests, and bogs in low-lying areas that are wet for at least two weeks in the summer. Wetlands filter our drinking water, soak up floodwater, clean our river and lakes, and provide homes for fish and wildlife.
Wetlands act like natural sponges to soak up flood water.
Floods hurt people, and destroy homes, businesses and crops. Flooding danger is getting worse for many families and communities. You would think that our federal and state government leaders would do all they can to protect wetlands and no allow people to build homes in flood-prone areas, such as wetlands and floodplains. This report shows there is still much to do to help farmers and other people restore and protect wetlands. The Wetlands Reserve Program was started in the 1990 Farm Bill.