US Army Corps of Engineers

September 2002

FACT SHEET

CORPORATE WETLANDS RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP

PARTNERSHIP DESCRIPTION: The Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP) is a new initiative of the Coastal America Program to foster collaboration between federal government, state agencies, and private corporations to restore salt and freshwater wetlands and other aquatic habitats.  Significant wetland degradation has occurred over the past few decades.  Through the CWRP, corporations contribute funds to implement habitat restoration projects endorsed by the Coastal America Regional Implementation Teams.  The goal is to restore 100,000 acres of wetlands annually through 2005.  Efforts are underway to create a CWRP in each state in the country.  Massachusetts established the first CWRP in 1994.  Since then, several east coast states have initiated their own efforts. Recently, the concept has gained support here in the Midwest particularly amongst the Upper Mississippi River states.  The CWRP organizational structure mirrors the Coastal America structure with national, regional, and state advisory councils.  The state advisory councils are composed of representatives of corporate partners, state environmental agencies, and non-profit groups including environmental organizations and educational institutions.  The National and Regional groups will focus on overall strategy and support the State groups.  The State advisory boards will select approved Coastal America projects or nominate their own for approval, will disburse funds, and administer project implementation.  A corporate entity takes the lead in each state.  All funds solicitation occurs between the corporate lead and the corporate contributor.  USACE-HQ endorses this partnership program and encourages project implementation.