Two farmers had attempted to convert the wetland to cropland by excavating large concentration pits and land leveling with marginal results.  The land was offered for sale, but the state and federal agencies who typically own and manage public wetland resources were not interested in owning a wetland adjacent to the city.  The challenge was to; find a partner who would agree to owning and maintaining a wetland on the south edge of Holdrege Nebraska (pop 5,700); fund the acquisition of 285 acres and the restoration of the wetland and upland habitat; and find a partner to manage the Rainwater Basin wetland as spring migratory habitat.  The City of Holdrege looked at the project as an opportunity to obtain open space for the community and utilize the outdoor recreation and recreation potential as a community asset.