The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is designed specifically to preserve wetlands and lands adjacent to streams and other water bodies, also known as riparian areas. These lands have a tremendous impact on water quality and provide critical wildlife habitat. CREP protects this category of land in two ways: 1) CONTRACT - by providing annual cash payments to farm landowners willing to voluntarily take sensitive land out of agricultural production for 10 to 15 years and restore and protect these buffer areas, and 2) EASEMENT - by placing a permanent easement on parts of or entire farms with eligible land. The landowner must first have a contract in order to sell an easement. Permanent easements acquisition occurs through cooperative contacts with the Rural Legacy Program. The State of Maryland administers all easements.

Maryland CREP goals. The USDA has set aside enough money to enroll up to 100,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Maryland. Under this program up to 70,000 acres of riparian lands (Riparian forest buffers and filter strips) may be enrolledunder contract. Up to 20,000 acres of highly erodible cropland (with an erodibility index greater than 15 and within 1000 feet of a water body) may be retired, and up to 10,000 acres of restored wetlands and shallow water areas can be created.

Eligibility for contracts. To be eligible for the CREP program land must be either

1. Cropland that has been planted to an agricultural commodity for two of the last five years, and is still physically and legally capable of being planted, or
   
2. Marginal pastureland suitable for use as a riparian forest buffer.

The land must also be suitable for buffers or wetland restoration practices.

Additional payments. Participants can also be reimbursed for the costs of installing permanent cover and best management practices. Farm Services Agency (FSA), the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and private organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation combine to offer cost share to participants of up to 95% for herbaceous cover practices and 100% for forest buffer practices, and wetland restoration. Cost share of up to 100 % is also available for companion practices such as fence and watering troughs when needed to exclude livestock from riparian forest buffers.

Enrollment. Applications are now being accepted for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. Landowners interested in learning more or signing up for the program should contact their local Soil Conservation District or USDA Service Center. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff will help you determine which acres on your farm are suitable for buffers or wetland restoration. The Farm Service Agency staff will determine if you meet the landowner eligibility requirements and accept your offer for enrollment.

For more information go to the following web sites: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/milo.asp and http://www.md.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp_crep/crp_crep.html

To find your local Soil Conservation District or USDA Service Center for more detailed information, go to:
http://www.md.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/directory/