USDA, Wisconsin Work on CREP Water Project

USDA and the state of Wisconsin are collaborating on a $243 million Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to protect the state's water quality and wildlife habitat. Under this program, USDA will reimburse farmers to remove from agricultural production environmentally sensitive land next to rivers and streams.

Program participants will receive annual rent, cost-share assistance, and other financial assistance. The Wisconsin CREP will reduce water pollution through the installation of 85,000 acres of riparian buffers and filter strips, 15,000 acres of native grasses and wetlands. Restoring native grasses will increase populations of many species, primarily grassland birds (including the greater prairie chicken).

Implementation of the program is estimated to reduce annual phosphorus and nitrogen loading by 600,000 and 300,000 pounds respectively and reduce sediment loading to streams by over 330,000 tons a year. CREP will restore an estimated 3,600 stream miles and help the state comply with state and Federal water quality standards.

The total cost of the program is expected to reach $243 million over 15 years. Of that amount, $198 million will come from USDA and $45 million from the State of Wisconsin.

CREP uses state and federal resources to help solve conservation problems. The program combines an existing USDA program, the Conservation Reserve Program, with state programs to meet specific state and National environmental objectives. CREP provides for voluntary agreements with farmers to convert cropland to native grasses, trees, and other vegetation in return for rental payments and other incentives.