Program Overview
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a unique state and federal partnership allowing agricultural landowners to receive incentive payments for installing specific conservation practices. This program is an opportunity for Wisconsin landowners who have rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds to voluntarily enroll agricultural lands into conservation practices such as:
- Grass Filter Strips
- Riparian Buffers
- Waterways
- Wetland Restorations
Benefits of CREP
How does CREP benefit me?
Environmentally
Clean water saves money and preserves water quality economically. Buffers keep nutrients and sediment from entering water bodies.
Monetarily
An Ozaukee County landowner would receive the payments:
- Annual rental rate of $44 - 113 / acre (based on soil type).
- Federal Signing Incentive Payment of $150 / acre for grass filter strips, riparian buffers, and grassed waterways.
- State of Wisconsin Incentive - 1.5 times annual rental rate (for 15 year contracts) or 12 times the annual rental rate for perpetual easements.
- Practice payments = 110% cost of installation.
Eligible Land
You must have a commodity crop planted on the land for 4 out of the 6 years from 1996 to 2001, or the land must meet qualifications as marginal pastureland. For additional information on CREP or if you have questions regarding conservation practices on your property, please contact the local USDA-NRCS office at 262-284-8273.