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Release No. 1485.00 Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474 Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Questions and Answers What is the Pennsylvania CREP? USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the State of Pennsylvania have agreed on a plan to implement a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. This voluntary program encourages farmers to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 10 to 15 years duration to remove lands from agricultural production. CRP is a CCC program implemented through the Farm Service Agency. The Pennsylvania CREP was developed to help protect the Chesapeake Bay from the effects of excessive nutrient and sediment loading due to agricultural runoff. The State of Pennsylvania as part of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement is working to reduce sediment loading by 1.6 million tons and nitrogen and phosphorus loading by 2 million pounds per year. What area does it cover? The program is targeted to 20 counties in South Central Pennsylvania that drain into the Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers which are the primary tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. How much will it cost? For an enrollment of 100,000 acres, the expected financial Federal and State obligation will be approximately $210 million over 15 years, with $129 million coming from the Federal Government, and $77 million coming from the State. The State share is approximately 33 percent of the total program costs and the Federal share is approximately 67 percent. What incentives will the program offer farmers? The annual rental payment is based on the soil rental rate as calculated by the Farm Service Agency. It includes an incentive payment above the annual per acre rental rate based on the conservation practice installed. Incentive rates will be 100 percent for filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration, contour grass strips, grassed waterways and shallow water areas. For land enrolled to stabilize highly erodible land the incentive rate is 75 percent. The Federal Government will pay up to 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 up to 50 percent of the remaining cost. Participants will receive and additional $5 per acre rental amount from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), to generally reflect the maintenance burdens of CRP contracts on producers. What kind of conservation practices are eligible? Eligible CRP practices are: CP1 - (Tame Grass) - Highly Erodible Land
Only What are the eligibility requirements? CREP applications must satisfy the basic eligibility criteria for the CRP. Participants must agree to establish and maintain eligible practices under a 10 to 15 year contract. Land must have been cropped 2 or the previous 5 years and be physically and legally capable of being cropped. Marginal pastureland is also eligible provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted to trees. Producers may also offer eligible acreage for general or continuous CRP signup. Where and when do I apply to participate? CREP enrollment will be on a continuous basis beginning on a date to be announced. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the nearest USDA service center. # |