Practice Requirements & Maintenance

• CRP Eligibility Requirements
• CRP Operation and Maintenance

Practice Specifications

• CP5A Field Windbreak
• CP8A Grass Waterways
• CP9 Shallow Water Areas
• CP15A Contour Buffer Strips
• CP16A Shelterbelt Establishment
• CP17A Living Snow Fences
• CP21 Filter Strips
• CP22 Riparian Buffer/Riparian Forest
• CP23 Wetland Restoration
• CP27 & CP28 Farmable Wetland and Buffer
• CP29 & CP30 Marginal Pastureland Wildlife/Wetland Habitat Buffer
• CP31 Bottomland Timber Establishment on Wetland
• CP33 Quail Buffer
  
  Note: Click CRP practice picture to enlarge
  - photographs courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

CRP Eligibility Requirements

• All practices except CP22, CP29, and CP30 need crop history (4 of 6 years from 1996-2001).
• Practices must be established in the planting or construction season following contract approval.
• Acreage may be adjusted at any time before contract approval date.
• Approval date shall be the first of the month following the month CRP-1 is approved, but may be deferred up to 6 months.
• 12-month land ownership required before enrolling in CRP program (exception for current operator or lineal descent).

CRP Operation & Maintenance

• Must follow seeding plan - Any variations must be approved by NRCS before seeding.
• Oats must be clipped at the time of seed head emergence.
• Okay to clip or spray weeds at anytime during establishment period (usually two years).
• Okay to clip or spray weeds after establishment period except from May 15 thru August 1 (primary nesting season). Permission from FSA and NRCS is required during this period.
• Clipping or spraying for cosmetic purposes is not allowed.
• Noxious weeds must be controlled.
• Manure application - not allowed on most CRP practices - contact NRCS for specifics.
  
  Prairies - Mow at 8" or higher. Periodic burning may be beneficial. A burn plan is required.
  
  Grassed Waterways - Periodic mowing and mowing for cosmetic purposes are prohibited at all times. (Spot spray/mow with COC approval only)
  
  Filter Strips & Field Borders - Periodic mowing and mowing for cosmetic purposes are prohibited at all times. (Spot spray/mow with COC approval only)
  
  Tree/Shrub Plantings - Weed control required until trees/shrubs are taller than competing vegetation. Cost-share is available for 2nd application of chemical for weed control. (Must be done within 24 months of planting)
  
  For more information click NRCS CRP Operation & Maintenance Factsheet.

CP5A Field Windbreak

2-8 rows trees or shrubs, Maximum width 200’, 10-15 year contract with 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $6 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Windbreaks.

CP8A Grass Waterways

30’ minimum - twice design width maximum up to 100 feet, shaped to NRCS specs, 10 year contract with a 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment) and a $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Grass Waterways.

CP9 Shallow Water Areas

A 10 acre maximum, 6"-18" average depth, 10 year contract, and a $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Shallow Water Areas.

CP15A Contour Buffer Strips

15’-30’ width, bottom strip may be 60’ wide, mandatory field border max width 15’, 10 year contract, and a $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Contour Buffers.

CP16A Shelterbelt Establishment

3 to 16 rows of trees and shrubs near farmstead or livestock, 10-15 year contract, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $6 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Shelterbelts.

CP17A Living Snow Fences

1-3 rows of trees or shrubs north or west of the road or lane, 100’ snow catch may be eligible, 10-15 year contract, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $6 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Living Snow Fences.

CP21 Filter Strips

20’- 120’ of grass along streams, ponds, sinkholes or wetlands, native grass required if less than 40’ wide, 10-15 year contract with a 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $4, $8*, or $9** maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Filter Strips.

CP22 Riparian Buffer/Riparian Forest

35’- 180’ of trees, shrubs, and grass strip around streams, ponds, and sinkholes, 1/3 tree/shrub minimum on cropland, and all tree/shrub on non cropland,10-15 year contract with a 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $6, $8*, or $9** maintenance rate. Maximum payment for marginal pastureland is $86.20.

For more information click NRCS Riparian Buffers.

CP23 Wetland Restoration

CP27 & CP28 Farmable Wetland & Buffer

Farmed wetland without tile, or tiled and can be restored. Area must have crop history 3 of last 10 years, hydric soils, out of the 100 year floodplain, 5 acre maximum with 150' grass buffer around perimeter or 3 times area of wetland, 10-15 year contract with a 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Farmable Wetlands and NRCS Buffers.

CP29 & CP30 Marginal Pastureland Wildlife/Wetland Habitat Buffer

20’-120’ buffer adjacent to stream, pond, sinkhole, or wetland, 10-15 year contract with a 20% bonus, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $4, $8*, $9** maintenance rate. Grazing prohibited. If adequate vegetation present, seeding not required. Maximum payment for marginal pastureland is $84.20.

For more information click NRCS Upland Wildlife Habitat Management and NRCS Wetland Habitat Buffers.

CP31 Bottomland Timber Establishment on Wetland

Must be within 100 year flood plain, 14-15 year contract, 50% cost-share not to exceed $300/ac, and $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Tree/Shrub Establishment.

CP33 Quail Buffer

30’-120’ native grass buffer along field edges, fields less than 5 acres not eligible, 10 year contract, $100/acre incentive payment (one-time payment), and a $4 maintenance rate.

For more information click NRCS Upland Wildlife Habitat.