CREP is a unique state and federal partnership allowing agricultural landowners to receive incentive payments for installing specific conservation practices.  This program is an opportunity for Wisconsin landowners who have rivers, streams, lakes, or ponds to voluntarily enroll agricultural lands into conservation practices such as:

• riparian buffers

• grass filter strips

• wetland restorations

• waterways

HOW DOES CREP BENEFIT ME?
 

ENVIRONMENTALLY

Clean water saves money and preserves water quality economically.  Buffers keep nutrients and sediment from entering water bodies.

MONETARILY

An Ozaukee County landowner would receive the following payments :

• Annual rental rate: $44 - 113/acre (based on soil type).

• Federal Signing Incentive Payment of $150/acre for grass filter strips, riparian buffers, and grassed waterways.

• State of Wisconsin Incentive—1.5 x annual rental rate (for 15-year contracts) or 12 x annual rental rate for perpetual easements.

• Practice payments = 110% cost of installation.

You must have a commodity crop planted on the land for 4 out of the 6 years from 1996 to 2001, or the land must meet qualifications as marginal pastureland.

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For additional information on CREP or if you have questions regarding conservation practices on your property, please contact the local USDA-NRCS office at (262)-284-8273.

State Wildlife Damage Program

Department of Natural Reources

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/

Forestry Cost-Share Programs

There are a number of programs available to landowners to help offset the expense of forestry and other land management practices.  These programs generally cover a portion (50-65%) of the costs for implementing the practices, provided they are properly installed and maintained.  The programs vary by funding source, qualification requirements, available practices, and sign-up periods.  For up-to-date information on available programs, contact the local Department of Natural Resources forester at (262) 670-3404.  

Land and Water Management Programs

¨      Best Management Practices (BMPs) are intended to reduce nonpoint source water pollution, such as fertilizer runoff.  The PRLM offers technical assistance for the design and installation of BMPs.  Cost-sharing for installation of BMPs may also be available.  In 1998, landowners were offered cost-sharing of up to 70%, with a $3,000 maximum.  Program administration is subject to change from year to year. 

¨      Through the Nutrient and Pest Management Program, the PRLM provides assistance to landowners to develop plans that minimize inputs of commercial fertilizers and pesticides and maximize utilization of nutrients on cropped fields while protecting water quality.

¨      Milwaukee River Priority Watershed Project allows the PRLM to provide technical and financial assistance to property owners located within the Milwaukee  River watershed boundaries.  Assistance is provided to develop comprehensive conservation plans for the  reduction of nonpoint source pollution.  The project closes in the year 2003. 

¨      Through the Wildlife Crop Damage Abatement Program, the PRLM provides technical and financial assistance to reduce damage to for-profit crops from deer, geese, and wild turkey.  Crop damage payments may be available to program participants.  

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