What is the Indiana CREP?
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a voluntary conservation program which rewards producers and landowners for installing conservation practices on their land, and offers up to 90% cost share to reimbursement for installation, annual rental payments, and cash signing incentives. Under CREP, landowners sign up to install buffers along and adjacent to water bodies, such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The landowners are required to enroll the land into a 14-15 year contract with the USDA.
Eligible practices under CREP:
♦ Grassed Filter Strip (CP21)
Grassed filter strips are areas of grass and other perennial (non-woody) vegetation that are established between agricultural fields and water bodies. Filter strips can provide many benefits to aquatic habitats. These benefits may include improved water quality, reduced soil erosion, stabilized stream banks, improved floodplain function, and recharge of groundwater aquifers. Properly designed and maintained filter strips may also provide habitat for wildlife. Grassed filter strips can be a minimum of 35ft wide and up to a maximum of 120ft wide.
♦ Permanent Wildlife Habitat (CP4D)
Apply this practice to eligible cropland that is suitably located and adapted to the establishment of permanent wildlife habitat. This practice must also include both native woody and grass vegetation. This practice has a min. buffer width of 35ft and a max. width of 180ft.
♦ Bottomland Timber Establishment on Wetlands. (CP31)
The purpose of this practice is to establish a native stand of predominantly hardwood trees in a timber planting that will enhance environmental benefits. To be eligible for this practice, the cropland being enrolled must be located within the 100 year floodplain. Entire fields can be enrolled into CREP under this practice providing it meets all eligibility requirements.
♦ Wetland Restoration (CP23) ♦ Wetland Restoration, Non-Floodplain (CP23A)
Wetland Restoration is the re-establishment of a previously drained wetland by filling ditches, excavation, diking or removing/ breaking tile drains. Land must have hydric soils, which are soils saturated with water part or all of the year.
Debris must be removed from pipe inlets and outlets and pipes need to be inspected and repaired before restoration.
Replanting wetland vegetation may be necessary until a good stand is established. Wetland Restoration practices are also not limited by maximum widths, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements, entire fields can be enrolled.
♦ Hardwood Tree Planting (CP3A)
This practice is designed to establish a wooded corridor along and around water bodies. This practice requires a min. width of 35ft and has a max. width of 180ft.
♦ Riparian Buffers (CP22)
Riparian forest buffers are areas of trees, shrubs and grasses established along open bodies of water. Riparian buffers help improve and maintain water quality; regulate water quantity; stabilize stream banks; provide much needed wildlife habitat; and are also a possible source of income. Riparian buffers can range from 35ft wide to a max. of 180ft wide.
♦ Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses (CP2)
Native grass plantings are used to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and create or enhance wildlife habitat. Native grass communities are often associated with prairies. Common native grasses that grow well in Indiana include warm-season grasses as well as native cool season grasses. Native grass communities also included common wildflowers. Warm Season Grass plantings have a min. width of 50ft and a max. width of 120ft.
For more information on CREP email Jim Norris, Indiana Department of Agriculture or call 765.584.4505 ext 3