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Everybody's Business: Conservation
by Stephen P. CurryDid you know that Pennsylvania has an environmental reclamation program in which you can participate? The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), is a state and federal natural resource conservation program which addresses significant agricultural related environmental problems. Participants receive financial incentives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to voluntarily enter into a CREP contract for a period of 10 to 15 years. Both parties have the option of renewing the CREP contract following the expiration of the initial term. Participating landowners remove crops or pastures from agricultural production and convert the land to native grasses, forested buffers, and other habitat improvements for the benefit of soil, water, and wildlife resources. CREP is designed to improve water quality, benefit wildlife through habitat development, and reward participating landowners for doing their part to help the environment. Non-forested lands along waterways and highly erodible lands are target areas for CREP enrollment. CREP has a list of conservation practices (CPs) that have been created to meet both environmental needs and the desires of the landowner. Natural watercourses (riparian corridors), wetlands, and highly erodible lands enrolled in CREP are allowed to revert to their natural state, and may be helped along in this process by planting native trees, shrubs, plants and grasses. These wildlooking vegetated areas help to stabilize the soil and act as natural filters for runoff. Additionally, as the riparian buffer matures, the stream becomes shaded by vegetation which helps to control water temperature. Through CREP, new wetlands can be reconstructed in cultivated areas where soil tests indicate that a existed in the past. These wetlands control flooding and wetland plants help remove water contaminants. CREP pays rent on enrolled land, offers cost-share for installing CPs, provides funds to keep the practice in working order, and offers bonus payments for certain CPs. The USDA makes annual rental payments to participating landowners ranging from $70 to $120 per acre after the CPs are installed. The USDA also makes annual maintenance payments ranging from $5 to $10 per acre to help with the cost of the CPs upkeep. There are nonfinancial benefits associated with CREP participation as well. You may have the opportunity to observe several species of birds, including ducks, owls, pheasant and quail and amphibians including various types of turtles, frogs and salamanders. Numerous varieties of butterflies, dragonflies, mammals and fish will likely be attracted once their natural habitats are restored. All landowners interested in soil, water and wildlife resources can enroll in CREP. Enrolling is as simple as visiting the nearest Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to begin the application process. If FSA determines that your land is eligible, a Natural Resources Conservation Service representative or a Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist will visit the proposed site to determine and design appropriate CPs to meet environmental, wildlife, and landowner objectives. The FSA will use the information gathered during the site visit to generate a CREP rental rate and preliminary enrollment offer, provided all eligibility requirements are met. Landowners who enroll in CREP are responsible for implementing and installing CREP CPs. Landowners have the option of performing installations on their own or through a pre-approved CREP contractor. The FSA will reimburse the landowner for 50% -100% of the cost of installing the CPs depending on which CPs are installed, so save your receipts. If a landowner needs help planning and installing the CPs or understanding the technical details, assistance is available from CREP biologists as well as many federal, state and local partners. Once the CPs are installed, the landowner may be required to perform seasonal maintenance. Mid-contract management may also be necessary. If you would like more information on Pennsylvania's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the telephone number is 1-800-941-CREP (2737). Information is also available online by visiting www.creppa.org. |
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