Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) — North Carolina

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary program to encourage private landowners to take agricultural land along streams, ditches, and wetlands out of production and to establish riparian buffer zones, reducing non-point source pollution and sedimentation from agricultural operations while enhancing native wildlife habitat. CREP is a partnership program between the USDA Farm Service Agency and the state of NC. The program offers financial incentives based on the term of enrollment: landowners choose between 10- or 15-year contracts or a 30-year or permanent conservation easement. Cost share assistance to establish the conservation practices and an annual rental payment are offered for all four enrollment options, with bonus payments and other incentives offered for a 30-year or permanent conservation easement.

Agricultural lands with a cropping or grazing history in one of the 9 river basins or 76 counties are eligible. Up to 300 feet from a qualifying watercourse can be enrolled in one of the conservation practices, and landowners must have owned the land for at least one year. The USDA Farm Service Agency for the county determines the farm's eligibility and payment options.

Contact the NC CREP specialist for your area and your county USDA Farm Service Agency office, which determines eligibility and payment options. The NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation, in conjunction with the local soil and water district, offers additional payment incentives and administers the conservation easement portion of the program.