Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation

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Buffer Strips Common Sense Conservation
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Nationwide, the goal is to establish two
million miles of conservation buffers by the
year 2002
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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up makes
the use of conservation buffers economically
attractive. Your offer will be automatically
accepted if all eligibility requirements are met.
Buffer Strips
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The Value of Buffers

• slow water runoff
• trap sediment
• enhance water infiltration
• trap fertilizers, pesticides bacteria,
  pathogens, and heavy metals
• They protect livestock from harsh weather
• offer a natural habitat for wildlife
• improve fish habitat
• Wooded buffers source of future income

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Types Of Buffers

• Contour Grass Strips
• Riparian Buffers
• Filter Strips
• Grassed Waterways
• Cross-Wind Trap Strips
• Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife
• Wellhead Protection Areas
• Streambank Plantings

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Continuous CRP Sign-Up
Work with the staff in your local Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or
conservation district office
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Continuous CRP Sign-Up

• Eligibility
• At least one year of ownership.
• Cropland in production 2 of the last five years.
• Marginal pasture suitable for riparian buffer.
• Most land covered by expiring CRP contracts.

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Eligible Buffer Practices
Riparian Buffers Contour Grass Strips
Filter Strips Shallow Water Areas Grassed
Waterways Cross-Wind Trap Strips
Shelterbelts Salt-Tolerant Vegetation
Field Windbreaks Designated Wellhead
Protection Areas
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Payment Rates

• Relative productivity of the soil type
• Average dryland cash rental
• A 20 incentive for riparian buffers
• Additional 10 for other special practices
• 5.00/acre maintenance incentive

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Payment Example for 15 Acres

• 5 acres of aB soil type X 20/acre 100.00
• 5 acres of GaB soil type X 26/acre 130.00
• 5 acres of No soil type X 30/acre 150.00
• Initial total X 25.33/acre 380/15
• With 20 Incentive X 5.07/acre
• maintainance incentive X 5.00/acre
• Total Payment 35.40 X 15acres X 10 years
• for a total of 5,310.00 for life of the contract.