Illinois
COMMENTRY

No, it's not just another government acronym; CREP stands for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and it's just about to take off in Illinois.

The CREP combines an existing federal effort, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), with state programs to enable U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with states and local interests to meet state-specific environmental objectives. The program provides for voluntary agreements and contracts of 10- to 15-year duration to remove lands from agricultural production. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to convert crop land to native grasses, trees, and other vegetation, in return for rental payments and other incentives.

Keith Kelly

Up to 100,000 acres of sensitive river basin land surrounding the Middle Illinois and Peoria Lake sections of the river and the watersheds of six tributaries (Vermillion, Mackinaw, Spoon, Lower Fox, Lower Sangamon, and Kankakee) will be preserved.

This newest agreement is supported by the state of Illinois, USDA, Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited and the Illinois congressional delegation.

The Illinois River project marks the third CREP agreement since the program's establishment in 1996. The two other projects involve preservation and enhancement of the Minnesota River and the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

An important feature of the Illinois CREP is that when producers enter into 15-year contracts with the Federal government, they may voluntarily enter a contract with the state for an additional 15 or 35 years, or enter into a permanent easement. The state will make bonus payments to the landowners. The federal government will provide up to 80 percent of the program costs, with Illinois or other non-federal sources providing the rest.

As Farm Service Agency (FSA) administrator I am proud to be leading this effort. I agree with Vice President Al Gore who said, "This agreement. . . demonstrates how government can work with private landowners to promote both a sound economy and a healthy environment. It will help Illinois farmers do what they know is right — protect our water and wildlife. The river will thrive, and so will the economy it sustains."

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman who announced the $250 million initiative March 30 said, "The river is valuable for its wildlife, marinas, and as a international shipping route for agricultural/manufactured products. CREP. . . will restore and preserve the river for future generations."

The Illinois project's goal is to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff in the project area through the use of conservation practices such as grass filter strips and forested stream-bank buffers. Benefits are improving the river and its surrounding watersheds water quality, restoring native vegetation, and increasing wildlife species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and fish.

Enrollment for CREP will be on a continuous basis beginning May 1. The offered acreage must be within the project area, and the applicant must satisfy basic eligibility criteria for CRP.

An Illinois CREP Advisory Committee, including non-governmental partners, will guide the program's implementation. Illinois will prepare a proposed conservation plan for each landowner entering the program.

Farmers and landowners can get more information about this program from their local USDA Service Center, Farm Service Agency, or Natural Resources Conservation Service office.

Keith Kelly has been administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency since 1997. He is responsible for the administration of farm commodity programs, agricultural credit programs, and certain disaster, federal crop insurance, and conservation programs. He also has served as the director of both Arizona and Montana's Department of Agriculture.

4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING MAY 1998