Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) – Federal

FEDERAL The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an enhanced version of CRP, It is intended to reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals and sediment from agricultural lands entering waters within the project area and enhance aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. The federal funds are supplemented with non-federal funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to achieve the state’s high-priority conservation goals. The program does accept non-cropland acres adjacent to CREP enrolled cropland. Practices include filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration (floodplain and non-floodplain) located in the 100-year floodplain or previously farmed wetland).

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Farm Eligibility

Start Date

Does not specify

Geography

100-year floodplain of the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River Watersheds

Eligible Practices

  • Filter strips

  • Riparian Buffers
  • Wetland restoration (floodplain and non-floodplain located in the 100-year floodplain or previously farmed wetland)

Additionality Requirement

Not applicable

Money Matters

Payment Schedule

Does not specify

Price

In the Federal CREP program, a Sign-up Incentive Payment (SIP) equal to 32.5% of first full year’s annual rental payment. A 25% incentive rate above the annual rental payment for lands enrolled in riparian, wetland, or HEL practices. For the Illinois state CREP program, one-time lump sum payments are calculated for the execution of a 15-year or permanent easement. FSA and IDNR together cover 100% cost-share for federal practice establishment (new federal enrollments only).

Stackability (With goverment programs and other markets)

Refer to program category descriptions for general stackability potential. Reach out to the program contact for more information.

Carbon Related Incentive

Not applicable

Contracting Info

Contract Length

30 years to perpetuity (Federal and State combination)

Data Collected at Enrollment

Basic farm information, field boundaries, crop history, and resource concerns. Most USDA programs require you to have an FSA farm and track number.

Enrollment Assistance

Support is typically provided by the local SWCD or NRCS office.

Agronomic/Technical Assistance

Most publicly funded programs have specific establishment and maintenance requirements that are provided by SWCD / NRCS.

Technical Info

Lead Organization

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Outcome Estimation

Not applicable

Verification

Not applicable

Penalty for Temporary Break in Practice Implementation

Not applicable

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Funded by the Illinois Soybean Association Checkoff Program.

ISAP and its members aim to provide farmers with transparent and practical information to increase their confidence in evaluating incentive payment opportunities. ISAP does not endorse any particular program or company.