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CREP pays landowners to establish buffers of native trees and shrubs along fish bearing streams and rivers.
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While the main objective of the program is to restore and protect critical fish habitat, other benefits are achieved. Riparian buffers provide habitat and travel corridors for a wide range of wildlife. Buffers of native vegetation help protect water quality, stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, create shade that lowers water temperature and provide attractive borders for privacy and protection.
The program pays all the expenses to establish the buffer, in addition to annual rental payments and other benefits to the landowner. |
CREP pays to remove invasive plants such as reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry. Reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry do not provide beneficial riparian functions, and their rapid growth often replaces the native plants that comprise a healthy riparian zone.
CREP will also pay to fence livestock out of the buffer and for off-channel livestock watering alternatives.
Buffer design is flexible
Resource specialists work with each landowner to develop a project plan that meets their objectives. The width of the buffer next to the stream or river may vary from 35 to 180 feet. The minimum buffer width is determined based on the width of the flood plain.
Landowners may elect to enroll only a portion of their stream or river frontage or only one side.
Click here to see the Progression of a Forested Stream Buffer (From Field to Forest)
CREP is a partnership between the State and Federal Governments.
The program is administered by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Whatcom Conservation District, under Washington State funding, provides the technical support and project planning. Land is enrolled in CREP under either a 10 or 15 year agreement.
Ask for a No-Obligation Site Assessment
A Whatcom Conservation District Resource Specialist will visit your property to make a no-obligation site assessment. The Resource Specialist will discuss buffer design options and provide estimates of the rental rate and the signing bonus.
The site assessment is also a good opportunity for questions and answers about the program and site-specific issues. Please contact the Whatcom Conservation District to schedule a site assessment.
If you would like to Enroll
To enroll in CREP, please make an appointment with the Farm Service Agency (Darcy Maldonado at (360) 354-5658, extension 125). Enrolling in CREP does not obligate you to plant anything or to sign an agreement. CREP project planning and approval can take five months or more and during that time, landowners may withdraw without obligation. The landowner CREP agreement is the final step in the planning process. Enrollment just initiates the planning process.
| In Whatcom County, enthusiasm for the program is continuing to grow! |
CREP Totals
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