Frequently asked questions about CREP in West Virginia

What is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program?

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program or CREP (pronounced "krep") is a federal-state land retirement conservation program targeted to address state and nationally significant agriculture-related environmental problems. 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 to remove lands from agricultural production. CRP is authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.

What is the West Virginia CREP?

CREP is a federal and state partnership agreement to retire environmentally sensitive land through the CRP. The West Virginia CREP involves additional financial incentives to encourage the restoration of riparian and other natural habitats to protect the vitally important soil, water and wildlife resources of the Potomac, New and Greenbrier, and Little Kanawha Rivers.

What areas in West Virginia are included in the program?

Producers can offer land in any part of the watersheds of the Potomac, New and Greenbrier, and Little Kanawha Rivers in West Virginia.

What are the goals of the West Virginia CREP?

The goals of the West Virginia CREP are to:
Enroll an initial 4,160 acres to help reduce the occurrence of runoff, sediment, and nutrients from agricultural enterprises into the designated watersheds.
Promote improved water quality and enhanced wildlife habitats in the recognized drainage areas.

What conservation measures are applicable?

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

• Establishment of Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes (CP1)
• Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses (CP2)
• Hardwood Tree Planting (CP3A)
• Filter Strips (CP21)
• Riparian Buffer (CP22)
• Wetland Restoration (CP23)

Who can sign up for the West Virginia CREP and for how long?

Producers satisfying the basic eligibility for CRP will be able to enroll eligible cropland and/or marginal pastureland in 10 to 15-year contracts. The land to be enrolled is within the CREP area for WV and cropland must have been cropped 2 out of the past 5 years and be physically and legally capable of being cropped. Marginal pastureland can also be eligible to be enrolled provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted to trees. In addition, producers enrolling the land must generally have owned or operated the land for at least 1 year prior to enrollment. Persons who have an existing CRP contract or an approved offer with a contract pending are not eligible for CREP until that contract expires.

What are the payments under CREP?

There are four types of payments made by USDA for which participants in the West Virginia CREP will be eligible: Signing Incentive Payment (SIP), Practice Incentive Payment (PIP), cost-share assistance for the installation of the conservation practices on land that is retired and an annual rental payment for the life of the contract. The SIP is a one time payment of $100 to $150 per acre for land enrolled in a Riparian Buffer or Filter Strip practice. This payment is made soon after the contract has been signed. In addition, a PIP equal to 40 percent of the total eligible cost for installation of the Riparian Buffer or Filterstrip practice will be made. The PIP is in addition to the 50 percent cost-share assistance that FSA will provide toward the installation of the practices selected. Producers will also receive an annual rental payment from the USDA based on 200 percent of the appropriate base rental rate for the land offered in the contract with an additional maintenance amount added for Riparian Buffer and Filter Strip practices.

The State of West Virginia will offer a one-time, lump sum incentive payment equal to the federal annual rental payment amount multiplied by the number of acres enrolled and accepted into the contract.

What is the cost of the West Virginia CREP?

Based on the initial implementation of the West Virginia CREP which projects an enrollment of 4,160 acres in the first year, the expected combined financial federal and state obligation will be approximately $1.5 million over the next year, with $1.25 million coming from the federal government and $.25 million coming from the state. This does not include any costs that may be borne by producers. West Virginia’s 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 another option that farmers may select to enhance their land; applicants may still enroll in the regular general CRP or continuous sign-up CRP. However, CREP provides additional benefits not available through the general and/or continuous sign-up. The CREP enrollment process is on a continuous basis and payments are at a higher effective rate.

Can I hay or graze my CREP land?

Haying and grazing is not permitted during the CRP contract period unless USDA permits it for emergency purposes under normal CRP rules.

Where can I get more information about the program?

Contact the county U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center, Farm Service Agency local office, Soil and Water Conservation District. Interested farmers can learn about the program by contacting their local Farm Service Agency offices or visiting website: http://www.fsa.usda.gov

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