| TROY, New York,
October 30, 2003 (ENS): The U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the State of New York have announced a $62 million Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement to improve water
conditions on 30 million acres within New York’s 12
major watersheds. These watersheds serve 55 percent of the
state’s population.
CREP is a voluntary program that pays participants to implement
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land.
In return, participants receive annual rental payments, cost-share
assistance and other financial incentives.
What areas in New York are included in
the program?
Producers can offer eligible cropland and marginal pastureland
in New York's 12 major watersheds, which serve approximately
55 percent of New York's population. The 12
watersheds are:
- Allegany River Basin
- Black River/St. Lawrence Watersheds
- Chesapeake Bay/Susquehana River Watershed
- Delaware River Watershed
- Genesee - Oswego - Seneca - Oneida River Watershed
- Lake Champlain Watershed
- Lake Erie - Niagara River Watersheds
- Lake Ontario Direct Drainage Watershed
- Long Island Sound - Peconic Bay Watershed
- Lower Hudson River Basin
- Mohawk River Watershed
- Upper Hudson River Watershed.
Public wellhead protection areas, as designated by the New
York State Department of Health in accordance with the state's
approved wellhead protection program, are eligible for enrollment
within these 12 watersheds. Interested producers should contact
their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office for specific
information regarding their eligibility for CREP.
What are the goals of the New York CREP?
The goals of the New York CREP are to:
- Reduce annual nutrient loads of phosphorus by 73,000 pounds,
nitrogen by 29,000 pounds per year and sedimentsfrom 109,000
tons per year;
- Reduce the potential for animal waste to enter streams
andrivers;
- Establish tree buffers adjacent to 4,598 stream miles
and 473,457 acres of surface waters; and
- Establish grass and trees on areas that recharge drinking
water supplies for cities and towns.
What conservation measures are applicable?
To better serve program goals, specific CRP conservation
practices have been identified for inclusion in the program.
For land qualifying on the basis of erosion, where at least
50 percent of the land is within 1,000 feet of a surface water
source and has an erodibility index of 15 or greater (relatively
steep-sloping land), the applicable practices are:
- Establishment of Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes
- Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses
- Tree Planting
- Hardwood Tree Planting
- Permanent Wildlife Habitat Corridor, Non-Easement
- Permanent Wildlife Habitat, Non-Easement
- Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife
- Vegetative Cover - Grass - Already Established
- Vegetative Cover - Trees - Already Established
- Wetland Restoration
Editor's note: FSA and NRCS representatives confirmed
that the organic farming practice of cover cropping would
be considered an acceptable use of eroded land.
For wellhead protection areas designated by the New York
State Department of Health, the applicable practices are:
- Establishment of Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes
- Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses
- Tree Planting
- Hardwood Tree Planting
- Permanent Wildlife Habitat Corridor, Non-Easement
- Permanent Wildlife Habitat, Non-Easement
- Vegetative Cover - Grass - Already Established
- Vegetative Cover - Trees - Already Established
Editor's note: FSA and NRCS representatives confirmed
that the organic farming practice of cover cropping would
be considered an acceptable use of wellhead protection land.
For lands qualifying as riparian buffers, the applicable
practices are:
- Grass Waterways
- Establishment of Permanent Vegetative Cover -Contour
Grassed Strips
- Filter Strips (Grass Strips)
- Riparian Buffers (Trees Planted Next to Streams)
- Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer
- Marginal Pastureland Wetland Buffer
Editor's note: FSA and NRCS representatives confirmed
that the organic farming practice of cover cropping would
be considered an acceptable riparian buffer.
Who and what are eligible for the New York
CREP and for how long?
Enrollment will be on a continuous basis beginning Dec. 1,
2003 through Dec. 31, 2007. Cropland must meet cropping history
criteria 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 buffer
practice. Persons who have acreage under an existing CRP contract
or an approved offer with a contract pending are not eligible
for CREP on that acreage until that
contract expires. Other requirements will also apply. Contract
terms will be set out in the CRP contract and regulations.
What are the payments under CREP?
Subject to contract terms and certain limitations, New York
CREP participants will be eligible for the following types
of USDA payments:
- Signing Incentive Payment: A one-time payment of $100
to $150 per acre for land enrolled in a grass waterway,
riparian buffer or filter strip practice. This payment is
made after the contract has been signed and approved.
- Practice Incentive Payment: A one-time payment equal to
about 40 percent of the eligible cost for certain practices.
This payment is in addition to up to 50 percent cost-share
assistance that USDA will provide for installing eligiblepractices.
- Infeasible to Farm Acreage: In cropland where more than
50 percent of a field is enrolled as a buffer, if the remainder
of the field (not part of the original offer) is determined
as infeasible to farm, then the remainder may be enrolled
as part of the practice at regular rental rates. Incentives
do not apply for land determined and enrolled as
infeasible to farm.
- Annual Incentive Payments: Annual incentive payments of
145 percent of the established weighted average county soil
rental rate, as determined and established by CCC will be
used in connection with normal CRP sign-ups for all practices
under this agreement.
- Annual Rental Payment for the life of the contract: Producers
are eligible for a base Soil Rental Rate (SRR) equal to
the weighted SRR of the three predominant soils.
- Cost-Share Assistance: Cost-share assistance of up to
50 percent for the installation of the eligible conservation
practices on enrolled land apply.
- Annual Maintenance Payment: In accordance with Handbook
2-CRP procedure, annual maintenance payments apply.
In addition, New York will offer the following:
- An annual tax credit to producers whose lands are enrolled
in CREP amounting to 100 percent of the school property
tax.
Can I still enroll in general CRP and continuous
sign-up CRP?
Yes. CREP is another option under CRP that farmers may select
to enhance their land; applicants may still enroll eligible
land 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 currently are not permitted during the
CRP contract period unless USDA allows them for emergency
purposes or managed haying and grazing purposes, if
applicable, under normal CRP rules.
Where can I get more information about
the program?
More information on the New York CREP is available from local
FSA offices and on FSA's Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov.
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