CREP Conservation Practice Fact Sheet
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
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Conservation Practice 23 ~ Wetland Restoration
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Description: |
Guidelines: |
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CP 23, wetland restoration, is designed to restore the functions and values of a wetland ecosystem where land had previously been devoted to agricultural use. This practice will benefit many wildlife species and protect Pennsylvania’s water resources. |
Wetlands restored under CP23 must include a buffer to wetland ratio of up to 3:1. Wetland restoration projects through CREP can only occur on acres that have been converted to cropland but have a historical presence of wetlands. Call your local NRCS office to see if your land is eligible for CREP’s CP23. |
What is a Wetland?
Wetland: A wetland is not a pond. Wetlands are "areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency & duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas." – Section 404 of the Clean Water Act |
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Producer Eligibility: |
Conservation Practice Restrictions: |
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Any producer and/or landowner that has owned the offered acreage for one or more years is eligible.
CP23 is only eligible on cropland with hydric soils. |
CP 23 cannot use Tall Fescue and is limited to soils classed as PC (Prior Converted) hydric soils. Invasive/noxious weeds must be controlled. You can choose between a 10 or 15 year enrollment. |
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Conservation Benefits: |
Landowner Benefits: |
- Protection of permanent & seasonal wetlandsFiltration of nutrients, sediments, and pesticides
- Restoration of wildlife habitat, particularly for waterfowl and wetland dependent plants
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- Improved flood control & groundwater recharge
- Financial savings & income on marginally productive land
- Reduced wear & tear on equipment through avoidance of wet and swampy areas
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$$$$ Funding, Reimbursements, and Rental Payments $$$$
By installing a wetland on your farm through CREP you will receive 50% reimbursement for practice establishment (cost-share), annual rental and maintenance payments, and incentive payments from the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) and an additional 50% cost-share from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) through the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD).
- Rental Payment: Calculated by taking the Average Base Soil Rental Rate x 250%
- Cost Share:
- 50% from USDA-FSA
- 50% ($740/acre maximum) from the PA DEP
- Practice Incentive Payment (PIP): 25% of eligible practice installation costs.
- Annual Maintenance Payments: $5 per acre per year.
A landowner enrolling in CP 23 is responsible for the upfront costs of installing the practice and contacting a contractor to restore the wetland. There are many contractors and service providers who are aware of CREP and how CREP works so be sure to tell a prospective contractor that they are installing a CREP project.
Technical Assistance Available for CREP CP23 Wetland Restoration Projects:
What to do first: CALL YOUR LOCAL USDA-Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service. Tell them you are interested in restoring a wetland on your farm through CREP. Once you’ve made this important first step you can learn about the many other partners involved in Pennsylvania’s CREP and find out who else can help you learn more about wetlands and their importance on your farm.