NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506
                               Release No. 1629.01
                                                  
                        Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474
                       dan_stuart@wdc.fsa.usda.gov

Questions and Answers -Iowa CREP

1.  What is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program?

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program or CREP
(pronounced "krep") is a federal-state land retirement
conservation program targeted to address state and nationally
significant agricultural-related environmental problems.  This
voluntary program uses financial incentives to encourage
farmers and ranchers to enroll in the Conservation Reserve
Program in contracts of 10 to 15 years to remove lands from
agricultural production.  CRP is authorized by the Food
Security Act of 1985, as amended.

2.  What is the Iowa CREP?

The Iowa CREP involves the creation of wetlands to reduce
nitrogen loading to Iowa streams and rivers.  The wetlands are
specifically designed to receive tile and surface water and
treat the water in the wetland.

3.  What areas in Iowa are included in the program?

Producers can offer land in 37 counties in the north central
tile drained areas of the state.

4.  What are the goals of the Iowa CREP?

The goals of the Iowa CREP are to:

     1. Reduce the nitrogen loading to streams by 300 to 600
     tons per year.
     2. Reduce sediment entering surface waters in the Lake
     Panorama Watershed by 80,000 tons per year.
     3. Reduce or maintain soil erosion rates at or below 2-5
     tons per acre.
     4. Demonstrate a variety of available wetland technologies
     and their value for improving water quality.
     5. Enhance wildlife habit.
     6. Increase recreational opportunities.

5.  What conservation measures are applicable?

To better serve program goals, specific CRP conservation
practices have been identified for inclusion in the program. 
These are:

          CP7 Erosion Control Structure
          CP21 Filter Strips
          CP22 Riparian Buffer
          CP23 Wetland restoration

6.  Who can sign up for the Iowa CREP and for how long?

Eligible producers will be able to enroll in 14- to 15-year
CRP contracts.  Producers may extend the benefits of the
program through separate contracts with the state.  The
applicant must be able to offer eligible acreage.  The
applicant also must satisfy the basic eligibility criteria for
CRP.  Land must be cropland that has been cropped 2 out of the
past 5 years and that is physically and legally capable of
being cropped.  Marginal pastureland can also be eligible to
be enrolled provided it is suitable for use as a riparian
buffer planted to trees.  In addition, producers enrolling the
land must generally have owned or operated the land for at
least 1 year prior to enrollment.

7.  What are the payments under CREP?

There are four types of payments being made by USDA for which
participants in the Iowa CREP will be eligible: Signing
Incentive Payment (SIP), Practice Incentive Payment (PIP),
annual rental payments, and cost-share assistance for the
installation of the conservation practices on land that is
retired.  The SIP is a one-time payment of $140 to $150 per
acre for land enrolled in a riparian buffer practice or filter
strip.  This payment is made soon after the contract has been
signed.  In addition, a PIP equal to about 40 percent of the
total cost for establishing the practice will be made.  The
PIP is in addition to the 50 percent cost-share assistance
that FSA will provide.  Producers will also receive an annual
rental payment from USDA.  Generally, the payment will be
between 120 to 150 percent of the dryland cash rental rate for
the county in which the land is located.

Iowa will offer one-time lump sum incentive payments based on
a formula that considers land values, landowner time
investment, and the discounted value of the annual base rental
payment of the CRP contract.  Iowa will also pay the producer
10 percent of the eligible reimbursable costs of the practice.

8.  What is the cost of the Iowa CREP?

Based on the full implementation of the Iowa CREP, which
projects an enrollment of 9,000 acres, the expected combined
financial federal and state obligation will be approximately
$38 million over 15 years, with $31 million coming from USDA
and $7 million coming from the state.  This does not include
any costs that may be borne by producers.  Iowa's share is
approximately 20 percent of the total program costs, and
USDA's share is approximately 80 percent.

9.  Can I still enroll in general CRP and continuous signup
CRP?

Yes.  CREP is another option that farmers may select to
enhance their land; applicants may still enroll in the regular
general CRP or continuous signup CRP.  However, CREP provides
additional benefits not available through the general and/or
continuous signup.  The CREP enrollment process is on a
continuous basis, and payments are at a higher effective rate.

10.  Can I hay or graze my CREP land?

Haying and grazing is not permitted during the CRP contract
period unless USDA permits it for emergency purposes under
normal CRP rules.

11.  Where can I get more information about the program?

Contact your county USDA Service Center, Farm Service Agency
local office, Soil and Water Conservation District, or Iowa
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.  Additional 
information is also available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov and at
http://www.gov.state.ia.us/agriculture

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