The North Dakota Department of Agriculture and North Dakota Game & Fish jointly administer the State Waterbank Program, a water management initiative that aims to conserve surface waters and enhance wildlife habitat while providing the mutual benefits of landowner compensation and wetland conservation.
Eligibility
Landowners statewide may participate. Enrolled parcels must range from 10 to 160 acres of eligible wetlands, with adjacent land acreage equaling but not exceeding four times the wetland size (within one-quarter mile).
Details
Deadline
June 30, 2026
Organization
Financial Instrument
Cost Share
Total Program Funding
$750,000
Payment Rate
$20.00–$40.00 per acre, per year
Terms
Annual payment rates: wetland acres $20/acre; non-tillable/pastureland upland $20/acre; seeded cropland (grass/pollinator mix) $40/acre; public access acres $2/acre. Additional cost-share is available: up to $13/acre for grass seed or $40/acre for pollinator mix. Agreements span 5 or 10 years. Draining, burning, or altering land character is prohibited except in emergencies or under approved management plans; prescribed haying/grazing (July 5–September 1) requires Agriculture Commissioner approval. Up to $750,000 is available through the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Application Instructions
Contact Lukas Wagner (701-328-1508, ljwagner@nd.gov) for enrollment details.
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Updated September 1, 2026
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