Upper Big Walnut Creek CREP

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Payments and Commitments Project Area Map PDF version of this brochure

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

Who can sign up, and when?

Enrollment is on a continuous basis, as funding permits. Eligible land must be in the portion of the Upper Big Walnut Creek Watershed, above Hoover Dam, and meet basic eligibility criteria for USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program.

Cropland must have been planted to commodity crops two of the past five years and be physically and legally capable of being cropped. Marginal pastureland can be enrolled provided it is suitable for use as a riparian buffer planted to trees. Lands that have an existing CRP contract or an approved offer with a contract pending are not eligible for CREP until that contract expires.

Individuals interested in the Upper Big Walnut Creek CREP should contact the USDA Service Center or Soil and Water Conservation District office in the county where the cropland is located, or where their conservation plans are currently maintained. For additional information contact one of these project partners:

USDA Service Centers and Soil & Water Conservation District Offices
	Delaware 740-368-1921
	Franklin 614-801-9450
	Knox 740-392-7806
	Licking 740-349-6920
	Morrow 419-946-2780
City of Columbus
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Pheasants Forever
Upper Big Walnut Creek Water Quality Partnership

Participants in CREP will enroll into CRP and receive increased annual rental payments for up to fifteen years and cost share. Additional USDA incentives such as SIP and PIP are subject to availability.

Participants who enroll buffers at an average of 66 feet or greater in width and wetland restorations are eligible for a one-time local supplemental payment of $60 per acre. Additional incentives for warm season grasses and wetland restoration are also available.

Any CREP participant may also enroll in a voluntary perpetual easement. Easement payments are valued at about 50% of the fair market value of the property. Easements would be granted in perpetuity to the City of Columbus.

What is the Upper Big Walnut Creek CREP?

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a local, state, federal and private partnership to create 3,500 acres of filter strips, riparian buffers, wildlife habitat, wetlands and tree plantings to reduce chemical and sediment runoff in Hoover Reservoir and its watersheds. Landowners enrolling cropland will receive 15 annual payments and cost share from USDA and a local supplemental payment to establish associated conservation practices. Payments for voluntary easements are also available.

What are the Key Program Options?

• Grass filter strips along ditches or streams.
• Wildlife habitat plantings along ditches or streams.
• Wetland restoration.
• Tree planting and riparian buffer strips in suitable areas.

Why Is This Program Important?

Most farmers in the Upper Big Walnut Creek watershed are good conservationists. In recent years they have adopted conservation tillage and other “Best Management Practices” to such an extent that the agricultural field runoff has been reduced. But there is a need for even more progress. Chemical and sediment loadings into Hoover Reservoir and tributary streams are still a problem, due in part to the fine clay nature of the soils and their erodibility. Also, wildlife habitat is scarce due to the intensive land use of these highly productive soils and land use change to residential and commercial development.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program will compensate landowners who voluntarily take cropland out of production and establish conservation practices. Over the six-year initiation phase of this project, the landscape of the watershed will begin to look different as filter strips, riparian buffers and tree plantings are established. The different “look” will mean less chemical and sediment runoff is entering ditches, streams and Hoover Reservoir, aquatic and upland wildlife areas are improved, and a productive farm community will continue to prosper.

Upper Big Walnut Creek CREP PAYMENTS AND COMMITMENTS
Eligible Acres & Practices With 15 Year Enrollment in CRP	Annual Soil Rental Rate Payment, Cost Share & Incentives	Local One-time Supplemental Payments	Contract Duration
All filter strips within 120' of a watercourse (less than 66' average width)	175% per acre SRR + 50% cost share + SIP & PIP*		15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
All filter strips within 120' of a watercourse (greater than 66' average width)	175% per acre SRR + 50% cost share + SIP & PIP*	$60 per acre	15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Wildlife habitat within 200' of a watercourse (less than 66' average width)	175% per acre SRR + 50% cost share		15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Wildlife habitat within 200' of a watercourse (greater than 66' average width)	175% per acre SRR + 50% cost share	$60 per acre	15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Wetland restoration (limited to 10 acres per FSA tract)	200% per acre SRR + 50% cost share	$60 per acre	15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Riparian buffers and tree planting within 200' of a watercourse (less than 66' average width)	200% per acre SRR + 50% cost share + SIP & PIP*		15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Riparian buffers and tree planting within 200' (greater than 66' average width)	200% per acre SRR + 50% cost share + SIP & PIP*	$60 per acre	15 Yrs or Voluntary Perpetual Easement
Ohio Division of Wildlife bonus incentive for warm season grasses/wetland restoration		Up to $40/acre warm season grass; up to $500/acre wetland restoration	20 or 30 Yrs for wetland restoration
City of Columbus easement option		Approximately 50% of the fair market value of the property	Voluntary Perpetual Easement
*CRP-SIP (Signing Incentive Payment) is a one-time payment up to $150 and the PIP (Practice Incentive Payment) is a one-time payment equal to 40% of the eligible cost-share. Incentives are subject to availability.
“This new, voluntary partnership will help farmers and other property owners to reduce erosion and runoff pollution, improve our environment and safeguard the drinking water of more than a half-million Columbusarea residents.” Sam Speck, ODNR Director “The CREP Program is an excellent example of federal, state, and local government working together with the farm community for a better environment.” Larry Adams, State Executive Director, Ohio Farm Service Agency “As Central Ohio continues to grow, it is crucial we do so in a manner that is not detrimental to our environment. This innovative partnership will help protect our region's drinking water for generations to come. We are very excited to be a part of such a wonderful collaboration.” Michael B. Coleman, Mayor of Columbus