South Dakota CREP – Big Sioux River Watershed

The Big Sioux River Watershed CREP pays eastern South Dakota producers enhanced CRP rent plus a state payment equal to 34% of the base soil rental rate. In return, they convert cropland and marginal pastureland in 18 counties to grass, wetland and buffer practices under 10–15 year contracts. All enrolled land is open to public hunting and fishing, and the project targets up to 25,000 acres.

• FSA fact sheet: 'To be eligible, land must be located in the project area and be either cropland or marginal pastureland.'

• Counties: Brookings, Clark, Clay, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Turner, Union.

• Practices: CP4D, CP21, CP23, CP23A, CP25, CP29, CP30, CP37, CP43.

• 'all land enrolled is open to public hunting and fishing access.'

10- to 15-year CRP contracts; haying/grazing per local FSA office.

Published amounts: FSA fact sheet: signing incentive (SIP) = 32.5% of first annual rental payment; practice incentive (PIP) up to 50% of eligible costs; cost-share up to 50%; annual rent = base soil rental rate + 20% incentive (except CP4D) + maintenance payment; 'In addition, the State of South Dakota will provide an annual payment in an amount equal to 34 percent of the base soil rental rate.' 2026 max total rate/acre by county ranges from $207 (Marshall, Day) to $348 (Moody) (Guide p.21).

Continuous signup at the local USDA Service Center/FSA office; facilitated by Pheasants Forever Habitat Advisors and GFP biologists (contact sheet).

Deadline text on the page: FSA fact sheet: 'Enrollment in CRP through the South Dakota Big Sioux River Watershed CREP is on a continuous basis.'