By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County commissioners periodically hear easement requests from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A wetland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that pays landowners to permanently protect wetlands. 

If approved, landowners in Otter Tail County will retain primary responsibility for weed control, recreational use, access and will continue to be responsible for the payment of property taxes.

Landowners who sell a wetland easement agree that wetlands protected by an easement cannot be drained, filled, leveled or burned. If these wetlands dry up naturally, they can be farmed, grazed or hayed. 

Wetlands covered by an easement are mapped, and a copy of the easement and maps is provided to the landowner. Property subject to a wetland easement remains on local tax rolls. 

By selling easements, landowners receive funds to pay down debt, reinvest in capital improvements or buy other lands to maintain and/or expand working lands.