Western Lake Erie Basin/River Raisin Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)



Michigan's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was created to help protect our environment and wildlife. Michigan is partnering with the federal government to implement conservation practices of great significance to the state, and valuable to the nation, in matters of soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

CREP is founded upon the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), yet differs from the CRP by offering enhanced financial incentives for participants. In Michigan's CREP, farmers and other landowners in priority watershed areas agree to enroll eligible parcels of land in the program for 15 years, and establish prescribed conservation practices.

In return, landowners receive up to 100% cost-share assistance in establishing conservation practices. Approved practices CP1 Introduced Grasses and Legumes, CP2 Native Grasses and Legumes, CP5A Field Windbreak, CP21 Filter Strips, CP22 Riparian Forest Buffer, CP23 Wetland Restoration for a Floodplain, CP23A Wetland Restoration for a Non-floodplain and CP26 Sediment Retention Control Structure.

Environmental Benefits
Michigan's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is the largest voluntary environmental improvement program in the state's history, initially involving 80,000 acres of land in three watershed areas, which will be dedicated to conservation practices. CREP will be key in reducing non-point source pollution in rural areas.

CREP Information
Conservation buffers can reduce wind and water erosion by reducing the amount of sediment, nutrients and pesticides entering surface and subsurface waters. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a special program to install buffer strips while enhancing wildlife habitats. Landowners may enroll eligible cropland acres into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program without waiting for an announced sign-up period by signing up several beneficial conservation practices.

Landowners will be provided economic benefits through approved rental rates, incentive payments and maintenance for each acre approved.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program details:

  • Contracts are for 15 years
  • Area must have been cropped 4 out of 6 years between 1996 and 2001 
  • Pastureland may be eligible (CP22 only)
  • 100% cost share rate for practice establishment and/or construction
  • Provide proof of ownership

NOTE: Currently Enrolling

To learn more about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program,
contact your local, State, or county FSA office or write to the following address:

USDA FSA Public Affairs Staff
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
STOP 0506
Washington, DC 20250-0506

For the CREP Technician in the River Raisin Watershed contact:
Lauren Lindemann (517) 263-7400 Ext. 119: Serving Eastern Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw  and Jackson Counties.
Nathan McNett (517) 263-7400 Ext. 121: Serving Western Lenawee County.
Sarah Zeiler (517) 849-9890 Ext. 3: Serving Hillsdale County

CREDIT: Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources Conservation District and Farm Service Agency.