Indiana Increases Wetlands Acreage

Severe flooding in Indiana this summer hurt farmers.  And some have decided to convert flood-prone land back to wetlands through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program.  Over the past four years, the state has restored more than 12,000 acres of wetlands, adding to a total of more than 55,000 acres.  Assistant state conservationist Roger Kult says wetlands can help reduce the impact of flooding.“Wetlands are perfect and wonderful for helping absorb, that’s what they do, they’re natural sponges.  They do help with flood control.”The Wetlands Reserve Program pays farmers the appraisal value of land they convert, and covers the cost of restoring it to a natural wetland.  The nationwide program has been around since 1996.