What is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program?

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or CREP, is a joint, State-Federal land retirement conservation program that addresses State and nationally significant environmental issues related to agriculture. This voluntary program uses financial incentives to encourage farmers and ranchers to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 10 to 15 years duration to remove lands from agricultural production. It is authorized pursuant to the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.

What is the North Carolina CREP?

CREP is a program establishing Federal and State partnership agreements to retire environmentally sensitive land through the CRP. The North Carolina CREP will aid in the restoration of up to 85,000 acres of riparian habitat and 15,000 acres of wetlands.

The North Carolina CREP was developed to help protect the Albermarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES) from the effects of excessive nutrient and sediment loading due to agricultural runoff. The State of North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) targeted the APES for protection as signs of environmental stress became increasingly evident in the area. These signs include declining fisheries; outbreaks of fish and crab diseases; blooms of the toxic microbe pfiesteria piscicida; frequent harmful algal blooms; contaminated shellfish waters; losses of historic shellfish and submerged aquatic vegetation beds; and degradation of wetlands, essential fish habitat, and upland habitats.

What areas in North Carolina are included in the program?

The program is targeted primarily in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Chowan River Basins. 95,000 acres will be allocated between these watersheds, all of which drain directly to the APES. Each of these tributaries has been designated by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission as Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW), and are subject to either mandated or voluntary nutrient reduction goals. The remaining 5,000 acres are allocated to the Jordan Lake watershed in the central part of the State, a reservoir also classified as NSW .

What are the goals of the North Carolina CREP?

The objectives of the North Carolina CREP include:

• Helping agricultural producers meet mandatory nutrient reduction goals in the Neuse Watershed as well as promoting voluntary nutrient reduction strategies in the Tar-Pamlico, Chowan, and Jordan Lake Watersheds.

• Achieving at least half of the 30 percent nitrogen reduction goals from agricultural sources in the affected basins, or roughly 15 percent of the overall nonpoint source contribution attributable to agriculture.

• Improving primary nursery areas and sensitive anadromous fishery habitats by controlling excessive freshwater flows through wetland restoration.

• Enhanced habitat for rare or declining wildlife resources.

• Improved spawning habitat for several commercially important fish species.

North Carolina will conduct monitoring throughout the project duration to evaluate and record progress in achieving these goals.

What are some of the benefits of the North Carolina CREP?

This program is expected to have significant water quality and wildlife habitat benefits. When fully implemented, this CREP is expected to substantially reduce nitrogen and sediment contamination of the Nutrient Sensitive Waters of North Carolina from agriculture.

What conservation measures are applicable?

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

			   				    CP3A     Hardwood tree planting

CP21	Filter strip

CP22	Riparian Buffer

CP23	Wetland restoration

			   				    CP25     Rare and Declining habitat

When and who can sign up for the North Carolina CREP?

Eligible producers will be able to enroll in 15 year CREP contracts as well as conservation agreements that are either 15 years duration or permanent. Enrollment for CREP will be on a continuous basis beginning March 15, 1999. The applicant must install one of the following conservation practices:

• Filter Strips
• Riparian buffer
• Wetland restoration

What are the payments under CREP?

There are two types of payments for which participants in the North Carolina CREP will be eligible: annual rental payments, and cost-share assistance for the installation of the conservation practices.

The annual rental payment will be based on the soil rental rate as calculated by the Farm Service Agency. It will include an incentive payment above the mean annual per acre rental rate based on the conservation practice installed. Incentive rates will be 70 percent for filter strips and 100 percent for riparian buffers and wetland restoration.

The Federal government will pay 50 percent of the cost of installing conservation practices (installing new vegetation, fencing, etc.). For producers who enroll solely in a 15-year CREP contract, the State will pay 25 percent of the cost of establishing trees, 20 percent of the approved costs of livestock exclusion and remote watering, and 10 percent of the costs of installing grassed filter strips. Participants will receive $5 per acre for annual maintenance regardless of the conservation practice installed.

For producers who also enroll in NC CREP permanent or 15-year conservation agreements, North Carolina will provide a one-time bonus payment.

Regardless of the type or length of CREP agreement, lands enrolled in trees will receive $100 bonus payment per contract.

What is the cost of the North Carolina program?

For enrollment of 100,000 acres, the financial Federal and State obligation will be approximately $275 million over 15 years, with $221 million coming from the Federal government, and $54 million coming from the State. This does not include any costs that may be borne by producers. The State share is approximately 20 percent of the total program costs and the Federal government share is approximately 80 percent.

Can I still enroll in general CRP and continuous sign-up CRP?

Yes. CREP is just another option farmers may select to enhance their land; CREP applicants may still enroll in general CRP or continuous sign-up CRP. However, CREP provides additional benefits not available through the general and/or continuous sign-up.

Can I hay or graze my CREP land?

Haying and grazing would not be permitted during the CRP contract period unless the Secretary of Agriculture permits it for emergency purposes.

Where can I get more information about the program?

For more details about the North Carolina CREP -- including eligibility requirements, incentives, and rental rates -- contact your county U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center, Soil and Water Conservation District, or the State of North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources. Information is also available on the Web at www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crpinfo.htm

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