NJ CREP Program Initiated

NJ Governor McGreevey has signed a $100 million agreement that will provide financial incentives to New Jersey farmers to install stream buffers to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

New Jersey recently became one of 25 states (including Pennsylvania and New York) participating in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The voluntary program will pay landowners annual rental and incentive payments for participating in the program, as well as 100 percent of the cost to establish approved pollution reduction practices. Farm landowners  will install and maintain approved practices through 10 to 15-year rental contract agreements. New Jersey’s goal is to enroll 30,000 acres of agricultural lands into this state-federal program over a 10-year period. Types of buffers that can be installed include trees, shrubs, filter strips (vegetative strips used to filter water), contour grass strips and grass waterways. Fencing may be used in conjunction with these practices. Sign-up for the New Jersey CREP begins March 15, 2004, and continues until enrollment goals are attained, or through December 31, 2007, whichever comes first. For more information, interested parties should contact their local Soil Conservation District office or Farm Service Agency, or visit  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crep.htm. The link provides information on the program for each state that is currently participating.