NEWS
Farm Service Agency
Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Ave SW
Stop 0506, Room 3624-South
Washington, D.C. 20250-0506
Release No. 1507.02
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - WEST VIRGINIA CREP
April 19, 2002
1. 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. Through CREP, program participants receive
financial incentives from the Commodity Credit Corporation
(CCC) to voluntarily enroll in the Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP) in contracts of 10-to 15-years. Participants
remove cropland from agricultural production and convert the
land to native grasses, trees and other vegetation. CRP is
authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.
2. What is the West Virginia CREP?
The West Virginia CREP will pay farmers to convert cropland
to vegetative cover adjacent to the Potomac, New, Greenbrier
and Little Kanawha Rivers. The program will restore
riparian buffers and other natural habitats to protect
environmentally sensitive soil, water and wildlife habitat.
3. What areas in West Virginia are included in the program?
Producers can offer land in any part of the watersheds of
the Potomac, New, Greenbrier and Little Kanawha Rivers in
West Virginia. Contact your local USDA Service Center for
specific information concerning your eligibility for CREP.
4. What are the goals of the West Virginia CREP?
The goals of the West Virginia CREP are to:
* Enroll up to 4,160 acres of eligible cropland and/or
marginal pastureland located within the project area;
* Reduce agricultural runoff, sediment and nutrients from
entering designated watersheds;
* Promote improved water quality and enhance wildlife
habitat in the recognized drainage areas;
* Protect soil, water and wildlife habitat in the project
area.
5. What conservation measures are applicable?
To better serve program goals, specific CRP conservation
practices have been identified for inclusion in the program.
These are:
* CP1 Establishment of Permanent Introduced Grasses and
Legumes
* CP2 Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses
* CP3A Hardwood Tree Planting
* CP21 Filter Strips
* CP22 Riparian Buffer
* CP23 Wetland Restoration
6. Who can sign up for the West Virginia CREP and for how
long?
Eligible producers will be able to enroll in 10- to 15-year
CRP contracts. Eligible acreage must satisfy basic CRP
eligibility criteria for CRP. Cropland must have been
cropped 2 out of the past 5 years and be physically and
legally capable of being cropped in a normal manner.
Marginal pastureland is also eligible for enrollment
provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted
to trees. In addition, producers must generally have owned
or operated the land for at least 12 months 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.
7. What are the payments under CREP?
West Virginia CREP participants will be eligible for the
following five types of CCC payments:
* Signing Incentive Payment: 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 and approved.
* Practice Incentive Payment: A payment equal to about 40
percent of the eligible cost for establishing the riparian
buffer or filter strip. This payment is in addition to up
to 50 percent cost-share assistance that CCC will provide
for installing the selected practices.
* Annual Rental Payment for the life of the contract:
Incentive equal to 100 percent of the calculated annual soil
rental rate for the land offered in the contract, with an
additional maintenance amount added for riparian buffer and
filter strip practices.
* Up to 50 percent cost-share assistance for the
installation of the eligible conservation practices on land
that is retired
In addition, 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.
8. 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 $11.4 million over
the next year. Of that amount, $8.2 million will come from
CCC and $3.2 million from the state. This does not include
any costs that may be assumed by producers. West Virginia's
share is approximately 28 percent of the total program costs
and CCC's share is approximately 72 percent.
9. Can I still enroll in general CRP and continuous signup
CRP?
Yes. CREP is another option that farmers may select to
enhance their land; applicants may still enroll eligible
land in the regular general CRP or continuous signup CRP.
However, CREP provides additional benefits not available
through the general and/or continuous signup. The CREP
enrollment process is on a continuous basis, and payments
are at a higher effective rate.
10. Can I hay or graze my CREP land?
Haying and grazing are not permitted during the CRP contract
period unless USDA permits it for emergency purposes under
normal CRP rules.
11. Where can I get more information about the program?
Contact your local USDA Service Center, Farm Service Agency
office, or your Soil and Water Conservation District office.
Additional information is also available on FSA's web site:
www.fsa.usda.gov
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NOTE: Farm Service Agency (FSA) news releases and media
advisories are available on the World Wide Web at FSA's home
page: http://www.fsa.usda.gov
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