NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News @usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-4623
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov

Release No. 0169.06

								   Contact:
						     Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623
					     Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733

      JOHANNS ANNOUNCES IDAHO CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP TO CONSERVE WATER 
		            AND PROTECT WILDLIFE
    
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced 
a $258 million Idaho Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement 
to reduce irrigation water consumption, improve water quality and improve fish 
and wildlife habitat in Idaho's Snake River. 
    
"The Idaho CREP's goals of conserving water and reducing contaminants highlights 
President Bush's commitment to conservation," said Johanns. "By establishing 
native grassland habitat, participants will increase wildlife populations and 
groundwater quality, while reducing irrigation. I strongly encourage Idaho 
farmers and ranchers to participate in this important conservation program that 
protects our environment." 
    
"This is a winning agreement for all of Idaho," said Idaho Lt. Governor Jim Risch. 
"The agreement benefits our agriculture community and protects the environment. 
After extensive research, we have determined that this unique state-federal 
partnership will result in better water flows for spring users, improved water 
quality for everyone and an increase in wildlife habitat. At the same time, this 
agreement will protect the income streams of our rural communities that depend on 
agriculture to drive the economy." 
    
The CREP agreement announced today was signed by Johanns and Lt. Governor Risch 
on behalf of Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne. 
    
Enrolling up to 100,000 acres of irrigated cropland in the Idaho Eastern Snake 
Plain Aquifer CREP is projected to reduce irrigation water use by up to 200,000 
acre-feet annually. The CREP will improve the Snake River's water quality and flow 
by increasing groundwater levels and reduce the application of agricultural 
chemicals and sediments. Establishing permanent vegetative cover will provide 
habitat for many wildlife species. 
    
The Eastern Snake River Aquifer CREP Project area of eastern Idaho includes all or 
parts of the following counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, 
Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, 
Minidoka, Owyhee, and Twin Falls. In addition, all or parts of Bannock, Bonneville 
and Power counties will be eligible if the total CRP enrollment drops below 25 
percent of the County's total cropland before the CREP project reaches the 100,000 
acre enrollment target.
    
CREP sign-up begins May 30, 2006, and continues until enrollment goals are met, or 
through Dec. 31, 2007, whichever comes first. Land enrolled in the program will 
remain under contract for 14 to 15 years, as specified in the contract. 
    
CCC estimates the Idaho Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer CREP's total cost over a 15-year 
period will be $258 million, with CCC contributing $183 million and the State of 
Idaho funding $75 million. 
    
Over the course of the contracts, CREP participants will receive CCC incentive 
payments as applicable and cost-share assistance for installing approved conservation 
practices. CCC will also provide annual rental payments based on irrigated cash rents 
for the life of the contract. The State of Idaho will provide incentive cost-share 
payments for CREP enrolled land, and buy out water rights on other land in the CREP 
project area. 
    
CREP is a federal-state cooperative conservation program that addresses targeted 
agricultural-related environmental concerns. With the Idaho CREP in place, CCC now has 
36 CREP agreements with 28 states. Nationwide, landowners on 31,646 farms participate 
in various state CREPs, protecting 807,343 acres, including 88,072 wetland acres. 
    
CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), America's largest and most 
effective private-lands conservation program, with more than 36 million acres enrolled. 
Through the general CRP and CREP, farmers and ranchers plant grasses and trees in crop 
fields and along streams. The plantings stop soil and nutrients from washing into 
regional waterways and contaminating the air. They also provide habitat for wildlife. 
    
This year marks the 20th anniversary of CRP. The program has amassed a wealth of 
benefits for the United States, including preventing 450 million tons of soil from 
eroding each year and restoring 1.8 million wetland acres. 
    
Producers can obtain more information on the Idaho Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer CREP at 
their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and on FSA's Web site at: 
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/default.htm.

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