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The program is a partnership among producers;
tribal, state, and federal governments; and, in some
cases, private groups. CREP is an offshoot of the
country's largest private-lands environmental
improvement program - the Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP).
Like CRP, CREP is administered by USDA's Farm
Service Agency (FSA). By combining CRP resources
with state, tribal, and private programs, CREP
provides farmers and ranchers with a sound financial
package for conserving and enhancing the natural
resources of farms.
CREP addresses high-priority conservation issues of
both local and national significance, such as
impacts to water supplies, loss of critical habitat
for threatened and endangered wildlife species, soil
erosion, and reduced habitat for fish populations
such as salmon. CREP is a community-based,
results-oriented effort centered around local
participation and leadership.
Eligibility
A specific
CREP project begins when a state, Indian tribe,
local government, or local nongovernment entity
identifies an agriculture-related environmental
issue of state or national significance. These
parties and FSA then develop a project proposal to
address particular environmental issues and goals.
Enrollment in
a state is limited to specific geographic areas and
practices. To determine if your state and county are
involved in CREP and if your land qualifies, contact
your local county FSA office.
Like CRP, CREP contracts require a 10- to 15-year
commitment to keep lands out of agricultural
production. CREP provides payments to participants
who offer eligible land. A federal annual rental
rate, including an FSA state committee-determined
maintenance incentive payment, is offered, plus
cost-share of up to 50 percent of the eligible costs
to install the practice. Further, the program
generally offers a sign-up incentive for
participants to install specific practices.
FSA uses CRP funding to pay a percentage of the
program's cost, while state, tribal governments, or
other non-federal sources provide the balance of the
funds. States and private groups involved in the
effort may also provide technical support and other
in-kind services.
Benefits
For the
landowner, CREP is not just a cost-effective way to
address rural environmental problems and meet
regulatory requirements; it can provide a viable
option to supplement farm income as well.
CREP is convenient for producers because it is
based on the familiar, highly successful CRP model.
Land must be owned or leased for at least one year
prior to enrollment to be eligible, and must be
physically and legally capable of being cropped in a
normal manner.
Land must also meet cropping history and other
eligibility requirements. Enrollment can be on a
continuous basis, permitting farmers and ranchers to
join the program at any time rather than waiting for
specific sign-up periods.
CREP supports increased conservation practices such
as filter strips and forested buffers. These
conservation practices help protect streams, lakes,
and rivers from sedimentation and agricultural
runoff.
CREP also helps landowners develop and restore
wetlands through the planting of appropriate
groundcover. Restoring water regimes helps protect
national treasures like the Chesapeake Bay, Mammoth
Cave, and the Florida Everglades. By maintaining
clear goals and requiring annual monitoring, CREP
helps participants measure progress and ensure
success.
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