Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 

CREP encourages landowners to voluntarily establish riparian buffers on agricultural lands adjacent to salmon streams with annual rental payments to the land manager for 10-15 years. Through CREP, land managers plant native trees and shrubs to improve riparian conditions along salmon streams, and can choose to install livestock watering facilities and fence to protect the plants. All of the costs for these improvements are paid by the program. In addition, the program provides oversight and reimburses maintenance costs for about five years after planting.  Land managers are paid rent for allowing their land to be used for fish and wildlife improvements and receive a monetary bonus for signing up. 

CREP Basics 

• Land is enrolled in a 10- or 15-year contract. 

• CREP is funded jointly by USDA and Washington State Conservation Commission. The Farm Service Agency manages the contract, and Okanogan CD planners help with project planning and implementation.

Eligibility Requirements 

• Land must be adjacent to a salmon-bearing stream. 

• Land must not be currently functioning as a forested riparian buffer as determined by the Okanogan CD planner. 

• Land must be able to support native trees and shrubs. 

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Enrollment Incentives 

• Annual rental payments ranging from $44-$172 per acre per year, depending upon the soil type(s) on the site. 

• Reimbursement of 100% of eligible implementation costs. For livestock operators, this includes fence and off-stream watering facilities. 

• Reimbursement of 100% of eligible maintenance costs for up to five years. 

Buffer Widths 

• Minimum buffer width must average 50’. 

• The maximum buffer width is 180’ on all sites. 

• Landowners can enroll all or part of an eligible section of stream, and one or both sides of a stream. 

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Interested? Contact Craig Nelson