The Madison Wetland Management District (WMD) was established to preserve wetlands and manage habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Headquartered in Madison, South Dakota, the District staff manages 38,500 acres of upland and wetland areas, called waterfowl production areas (WPA). The wetlands found on WPAs also help prevent flooding in rainy years by storing the water while it slowly percolates into the ground. The northeast portion of the District (Deuel County) lies within the "Coteau des Prairie" or tall grass prairie region of South Dakota. The District staff also administer two easement programs with private landowners. One is a wetland easement program consisting of 52,200 acres of wetlands that are protected from drainage. The second is a grassland easement program that protects 39,000 acres of grasslands from plowing. Lands are acquired, in part, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) with funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps.