CRP Participants Get More Time on Tree Thinning

July 21,1999

Some Conservation Reserve Program participants will be eligible for an extension of time to thin existing tree stands or to both thin existing stands and create and maintain open areas for wildlife or terminate their CRP contracts.

During CRP sign-ups in 1997 and 1998, some farmers agreed to thin within three years their existing tree stands and/or create and maintain open areas for wildlife habitat. That made their offers more likely to be accepted in the CRP. However, distortions in the market for this type of thinning have precluded many CRP participants from completing the necessary thinning.

CRP contracts now can be modified: the term of the contract will be extended from 10 years to 13 years; the time permitted to conduct the necessary thinning and other activities for the benefit of wildlife will be extended from the first three years of the CRP contract to the first six years, and the remaining annual rental payments of the original contract will be prorated over the new contract term.