INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 27, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of Indiana’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a federal/state conservation program that addresses targeted agriculture-related environmental concerns. CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program, a private land conservation program with more than 31 million acres enrolled nationwide. Through Indiana’s CREP, producers voluntarily restore riparian buffers and wetland areas through financial aid and technical assistance, reducing sediment and nutrient run-off and enhancing wildlife habitat. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Julia Wickard made the announcement on Vilsack’s behalf, in conjunction with the State of Indiana.

The original goal of Indiana’s CREP was to enroll 7,000 acres in three watersheds. With this expansion, CREP will now be available to include landowners in 11 Indiana watersheds located in all or portions of 65 counties with a total enrollment goal of 26,250 acres. Indiana’s CREP is administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

“The effort we are announcing in Indiana today will help to protect and conserve our natural resources while improving the quality of life on our farms and in rural communities,” said Vilsack.

The 11 watersheds eligible for CREP eventually drain into the Wabash River, which drains to the Ohio River. These watersheds include:

“FSA is expanding its partnership with ISDA and the organizations of the Indiana Conservation Partnership to implement and promote this expanded CREP Agreement,” said Wickard. “Indiana farmers have been at the forefront of land conservation and stewardship efforts for years. We are pleased to be able to provide this CREP program to assist them in their efforts.”

The Indiana CREP now includes all or portions of 65 counties in the Wabash River watershed. The counties are:

Conservation practices that are available under CREP include:

CREP participants receive incentive payments, annual rental payments and cost-share assistance from FSA, and a one-time Clean Water Indiana (CWI) incentive payment from the state of Indiana. The total cost of Indiana’s CREP agreement is estimated at $84.8 million, with USDA contributing $67.4 million and Indiana contributing $17.4 million through cash and in-kind services.

The Nature Conservancy and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will continue their partnership with Indiana’s CREP program by offering easements and/or contract extension incentives in the Tippecanoe and Upper White Watersheds.

Sign-up for enrollment under the expanded CREP agreement will begin Aug. 27, 2010, and is scheduled to continue until the goal of 26,250 acres is complete. Enrolled lands remain under a CREP contract for up to 15 years.

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