CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

FOR THE 

DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED

WHAT IS CREP?

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a federal/state partnership.  The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation and the State of Pennsylvania implement a plan to improve water quality.  CREP is implemented through the USDA Farm Service Agency.  Technical assistance is provided to participants by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, County Conservation Districts, and the PA Game Commission.  Participants must agree and maintain eligible practices under a 10-15 year contract.  Land must have been cropped 2 of the previous 5 years and be physically and legally capable of being cropped.  Cropland, hayland, and marginal pastureland is also eligible provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted to trees.

PRIMARY PURPOSES:

1.  To improve water quality by establishing riparian forested buffers on lands adjacent to watercourses.       

2.  To reduce soil erosion on highly erodible cropland by establishing long term cover.

3.  To improve habitat for threatened and endangered species and other wildlife species.

ELIGIBLE AREAS: