NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News @usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-9035
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov

Release No. 0212.01  
                        Dann Stuart (202)690-0474
                        dann_stuart@wdc.usda.gov 


WISCONSIN PROTECTS NATURAL RESOURCES WITH USDA PROGRAM

      WASHINGTON, October 30, 2001 - The U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the state of Wisconsin are collaborating on
a $243 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to
protect the state's water quality and wildlife habitat.

"This conservation program encourages farmers to help
improve the state's natural resources," said Agriculture
Secretary Ann Veneman. "Reducing runoff contaminates will
return our investment many times in healthier wildlife,
recreation and cleaner water in Wisconsin's rivers and
streams."

      Under this program, USDA will reimburse farmers to
remove from agricultural production environmentally
sensitive land next to rivers and streams.  Program
participants will receive annual rent, cost-share
assistance, and other financial assistance.  The Wisconsin
CREP will reduce water pollution through the installation of
85,000 acres of riparian buffers and filter strips, 15,000
acres of native grasses and wetlands.  Restoring native
grasses will increase populations of many species, primarily
grassland birds (including the greater prairie chicken).

      Implementation of the program is estimated to reduce
annual phosphorus and nitrogen loading by 600,000 and
300,000 pounds, respectively, and reduce sediment loading to
streams by over 330,000 tons a year.  CREP will restore an
estimated 3,600 stream miles and help the state comply with
state and Federal water quality standards.

      The total cost of the program is expected to reach
$243 million over 15 years.  Of that amount, $198 million
will come from USDA and $45 million from the State of
Wisconsin.

      CREP uses state and federal resources to help solve
conservation problems.  The program combines an existing
USDA program, the Conservation Reserve Program, with state
programs to meet specific state and National environmental
objectives.  CREP provides for voluntary agreements with
farmers to convert cropland to native grasses, trees, and
other vegetation in return for rental payments and other
incentives.

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