United States Department of Agriculture

![](media/image1.png){width="2.9451388888888888in"
height="0.45069444444444445in"}

**Indiana - March 2007** (ver. 1.0)

**Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer Program Job Sheet**

## ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.3944444444444444in" height="2.425in"}Photo courtesy of MI USDA NRCS 

## What is CRP Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer?

A Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer is a band of native
grasses, wildflowers, and/or shrubs used to limit sediment, nutrients,
pesticides, and other contaminants from entering water bodies. In
addition, Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers can provide
valuable winter cover, nest sites, nectar and pollen for pollinating
insects, and food for wildlife.

Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers are located on herbaceous
(i.e. non-woody) areas immediately adjacent and parallel to perennial or
seasonal streams, lakes, ponds, and /or sinkholes.

Where Practice Applies

On fields that meet eligibility requirements for the Conservation
Reserve program (CRP) as determined by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

CRP POLICY

For CRP Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers:

-   The site must meet all marginal pastureland eligibility
    requirements. Cropland, forestland, and woodland are
    [not]{.underline} eligible for marginal pastureland.

-   The site must be immediately adjacent and parallel to perennial or
    seasonal streams,

> sinkholes and karst areas, or any permanent water body, such as a lake
> or pond, which provides at least a seasonal flow of surface water from
> the water body off the farm. Water bodies that do not provide a
> permanent water cover throughout the year in all years are not
> eligible.

-   Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers will be managed for
    (if already existing), or planted to, native warm season grasses,
    forbs and legumes.

    a.  If the existing vegetation for the site is
        [non-native]{.underline} grasses, the site must be converted to
        native grasses.

    b.  Native grasses include the warm season grasses such as Big &/or
        Little Bluestem, Indiangrass, Switchgrass, Broomsedge, etc. as
        well as cool season grasses such as Canada &/or Virginia
        Wildrye, etc.

    c.  If the natural vegetation of the site is primarily
        [trees]{.underline}, the area should be enrolled as CP22
        Riparian Buffer.

-   The minimum width of the Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat
    Buffer depends upon the slope of the field, the soil type, and the
    pollutants contained in the runoff. The minimum width is 20 feet.
    The maximum average width is 120 feet

-   Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers must begin at the top
    of the stream bank, or edge of the water body. If the site already
    contains existing vegetation that is not eligible for CP29, these
    acres will be included in the calculation of maximum width and
    included in the CRP Plan, but will not be eligible for payments.

-   Establishment of the Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer
    should result in a substantial reduction of pollutants reaching the
    adjacent stream or water body.

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-   CRP Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffers will be installed
    according to the NRCS Riparian Herbaceous Buffer Standard (390) in
    the local eFOTG. Site-specific requirements are listed on the
    attached Specifications Sheet.

**BUFFER PLANTING/ESTABLISHMENT**

If existing vegetation will sufficiently address the resource concern
and will be native grasses and forbs, no planting will be required.

If planting is needed, establish the vegetation according to the
attached plan/design sheet. Any changes to these specifications should
be approved by NRCS.

All construction and seeding must be completed within 12 months of
contract approval to remain in compliance. If circumstances beyond the
landowner's control prohibit completion within the first 12 months, the
local FSA County Committee may approve an extension to the next
construction and planting season.

**Site Preparation:** It is very important to plant the vegetation into
a weed-free seedbed. Weed control efforts should begin prior to
planting, and may require multiple applications in both the fall and
spring prior to planting. Use herbicides or tillage to eliminate
competing vegetation. If necessary for erosion control, seed a temporary
cover. Eliminate the temporary vegetation at planting time with tillage
or herbicides.

Contact your local Purdue University Extension Agent for specific
herbicides to use. **Apply all herbicides according to the label**.

**Lime and Fertilizer (Native Grasses):** Lime and fertilizer should not
be applied to native grasses at establishment unless a current soil test
shows phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are in the deficient range or the
pH is 6.1 or less. Do [not]{.underline} apply any nitrogen (N) during
establishment to minimize weed competition.

**Grass Seeding Dates:**

  ----------------------------------- ------------------ -----------------
  **Species/Mix**                     **Seeding Dates**  **Dormant
                                                         Seeding\***

  Warm Season Grasses                 4/1-6/15           12/1-4/1

  Forbs                               4/1-6/15           12/1-4/1
  ----------------------------------- ------------------ -----------------

**\***Increase seeding rates by 25% dormant seeding. Broadcasting of
warm season grasses should only be done into a prepared seedbed with
protection from erosion as a consideration.

**Seed preparation:** Be careful not to blend seed of varying size,
shape and weight as this can make calibration of equipment and seeding
uniformity difficult.

**No-Till seeding:** Use a no-till drill to reduce the risk of erosion
and possible loss of seedlings. Ensure the drill is designed to native
grasses. Your local Soil and Water Conservation Districts may be able to
assist in locating equipment. Set the drill to provide an ideal planting
depth of no more than ¼ inch unless otherwise directed. Seeding native
grasses deeper than ¼ inch will lead to potential failure. Soils that
are too wet or too dry can also cause improper seed placement.

**Conventional Seeding:** Use a drill with seven (7) inch or less row
spacing or a culti-packer seeder, designed for native grass seed. The
seedbed should be worked to a minimum depth of three (3) inches and
firmed before seeding. Grass seed should be drilled uniformly and seeded
no more than ¼ inch deep.

**Broadcast Seeding:** Seed may be broadcast if completed in a uniform
manner. Pre-mixing the seed with 200 lbs. per acre of pelletized lime
and utilizing an airflow applicator is also effective. Seedbeds should
be worked to a minimum depth of three (3) inches and firmed before
seeding. The seedbed should be culti-packed [before]{.underline} and
[after]{.underline} seeding. It is acceptable to see up to ⅓ of the seed
on the soil surface. Wind speed should be 15 m.p.h. or less when
broadcasting.

**Weed Control** **During Establishment Period**: Mow, burn, or apply
herbicides as needed to control unwanted vegetation until a
***[Final]{.underline}*** Status Review is issued, or for a maximum of
three (3) years after planting. Mow when competing weeds are taller than
the planted vegetation, and at a height above the planted vegetation.

**Operation and Maintenance**

Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, insects, and pests shall be
controlled, including such maintenance as necessary to avoid detrimental
effects to the surrounding land.

***After*** the Final Status Review or three (3) years (whichever comes
first), maintain the planting according to your CRP conservation plan.
Maintenance activities are allowed only on a spot basis and only if
necessary to maintain stand health, maintain stand diversity, or control
pests that will damage the CRP cover or adjacent lands. Burning must be
in accordance with a prescribed burn plan. MOWING and other maintenance
activities are not authorized between April 1 to August 1 to protect
ground-nesting wildlife (i.e. - the Primary Nesting and Brood-Rearing
season). If maintenance activities are needed during these times, the
FSA County Committee **[must]{.underline}** approve the maintenance
activity **[prior to]{.underline}** the activity occurring. Native
grasses will not be mowed lower than 12", and non-native grasses lower
than four (4) inches.

**Mowing for generic weed control or for cosmetic purposes is
prohibited.**

Exclude all acres from haying and grazing year round, unless authorized.
Fences may need to be constructed and maintained to exclude livestock
throughout the entire year.

The contract area cannot be used for field roads or other uses that will
damage or destroy the cover.

MID-CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

All new CRP contracts must have mid-term contract management activities
scheduled that will ensure plant diversity, wildlife habitat, and
protection of soil and water resources. Management activities that will
ensure these benefits include: prescribed burning (according to an
approved burn plan), strip disking, strip spraying, and interseeding of
forbs and legumes. All management activities must be performed according
to NRCS Standards and Specifications as found in the FOTG, and CRP
policy. Mid-management job sheets can be found at:

[**http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html**](http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html).

OTHER MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

For optimum wildlife habitat, plant a diversity of grasses, legumes, and
wildflowers. These mixtures will provide winter and nesting cover and
food for a variety of wildlife. When mowing is necessary, restrict
mowing to August 1 - August 20 to allow re-growth for winter cover.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # CRP Marginal Pastureland Wildlife Habitat Buffer (CP-29)            |
|                                                                       |
| # SPECIFICATIONS SHEET                                                |
+=======================================================================+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 11%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"><strong>Landowner:</strong></td>
<td colspan="6"><strong>     </strong></td>
<td><strong>County:</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>     </strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>F</strong><strong>arm:</strong></td>
<td><strong>     </strong></td>
<td><strong>Tract:</strong></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>Field(s):</strong></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>Acres:</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><p>Grasses:      </p>
<p>Firebreak:      </p></td>
<td><strong>Date:</strong></td>
<td>     </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 14%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 15%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="11"><h6
id="recommended-species-and-seeding-rate-pls-ac-pure-live-seed-pounds-per-acre">RECOMMENDED
SPECIES and SEEDING RATE (PLS #/ac = Pure Live Seed Pounds per
Acre)</h6></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>NATIVE mix</p>
<p>(see map for location)</p></td>
<td><p>RATE</p>
<p>PLS#/ac</p></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>TOTAL =</p>
<p>(RATE X Acres)</p></td>
<td rowspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="4" rowspan="7">Existing vegetation will meet CRP and FOTG
policies, with no need for planting.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">     </td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">WILDFLOWERS</td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.0</strong></td>
<td>Lb.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2" rowspan="4"> <strong>Firebreaks:</strong></td>
<td colspan="6">Species/Activity</td>
<td><p>Rate</p>
<p>Lb./acre</p></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Total =</p>
<p><strong>(Rate X Acres)</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td><strong>Lbs.</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td>     </td>
<td><strong>0.00</strong></td>
<td>Lbs.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="9"><p> Establish a Bare-Ground Firebreak by disking the
Fall &amp; Spring prior to Prescribed Burning</p>
<p>Disked areas will be re-seeded after each Prescribed Burn</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="11">NOTES:      </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="11">Recommended Wildflowers include:      </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

  ----------------- ----------- ----------- --- --------------------- -- ------------ -------------------- ----------- -------------------------
  **BEFORE PLANTING                                                                                                    
  in Year:**                                                                                                           

  Permanent Fence:                              **:                                                                    
                                                [     ]{.underline}                                                    
                                                ft = (see attached                                                     
                                                design)**                                                              

  Water Source:                                                                                                        Pipeline:
                                                                                                                       **[     ]{.underline} ft
                                                                                                                       = (see design)**

  Water                                                                                                                Livestock Crossing:
  Facilities(s):                                                                                                       **(see design)**

  Herbicide~1~                                                                        **     **            Dates =     
  **(per label)**:                                                                                         **     **   

  Herbicide~2~                                                                        **     **            Dates =     
  **(per label)**:                                                                                         **     **   

  Tillage:                      **     **                                                                  Dates =     
                                                                                                           **     **   

  Temporary                                                                                                            
  Seeding:                                                                                                             

  Structures,                                                                                                          
  Grading,                                                                                                             
  Leveling, Filling                                                                                                    
  **-- See the                                                                                                         
  attached Design                                                                                                      
  Sheet.**                                                                                                             

  **Apply                                                                                                              
  fertilizer and                                                                                                       
  lime according to                                                                                                    
  an approved soil                                                                                                     
  test and                                                                                                             
  Tri-State                                                                                                            
  recommendations                                                                                                      
  for                                                                                                                  
  "ESTABLISHING"                                                                                                       
  Native or                                                                                                            
  Non-Native                                                                                                           
  grasses.      **                                                                                                     

  Other:            **     **                                                                                          

  **PLANTING METHOD                                                                                                    
  in Year:**                                                                                                           

  **Planting                                                             **     **                                     
  Method:**                                                                                                            

  Dates = See                                                                                                          
  Seeding Dates on                                                                                                     
  Page 2                                                                                                               

  (If unforeseen                                                                                                       
  circumstances                                                                                                        
  prohibit the                                                                                                         
  planting of the                                                                                                      
  grass by this                                                                                                        
  date, please                                                                                                         
  contact our                                                                                                          
  office as soon as                                                                                                    
  possible)                                                                                                            
  ----------------- ----------- ----------- --- --------------------- -- ------------ -------------------- ----------- -------------------------

  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------- -------------------------------------
  **POST-PLANTING                                               
  MAINTENANCE** for Pest                                        
  Control                                                       

  **Mowing:                                                     
  [BEFORE]{.underline}                                          
  FINAL STATUS REVIEW =                                         
  mow 12 inches high                                            
  when the weeds are 12"                                        
  taller than the                                               
  planted grasses**                                             

                         **Native Grass =                       
                         [AFTER]{.underline}                    
                         FINAL STATUS REVIEW\*                  
                         = 12 inches MINIMUM                    
                         Mowing Height\*                        
                              **                                

                         **Non-Native Grass =                   
                         [AFTER]{.underline}                    
                         FINAL STATUS REVIEW\*                  
                         = 4 inches MINIMUM                     
                         Mowing Height\*                        
                              **                                

  **Herbicide\* (per                           **     **        **Prescribed Burning\*: According to
  label):**                                                     an approved plan**

  **Other:\*      **                                            

  **\*NOTE:                                                     
  [After]{.underline}                                           
  the final Status                                              
  Review has been                                               
  issued, weed control                                          
  and other maintenance                                         
  activities will not                                           
  occur between [April                                          
  1 - August                                                    
  1]{.underline}, and                                           
  will occur on a "spot"                                        
  basis                                                         
  [only]{.underline},                                           
  unless prior approval                                         
  is granted by the FSA                                         
  County Committee.**                                           
  ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------- -------------------------------------

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **NATURAL SUCCESSION AREAS**                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Temporary cover:                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| Legumes/Forbs to be inter-seeded:                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Maintenance for Noxious Weeds and Woody Growth Control:**           |
|                                                                       |
| Herbicide:                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| Other:                                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **[Note]{.underline}:** After the final status review has been        |
| completed, maintenance activities are allowed only on a spot basis    |
| and only with prior approval of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County  |
| Committee. Maintenance activities must be conducted between **[August |
| 1 - April 1]{.underline}** unless [prior approval]{.underline} for    |
| work outside these dates has been given by FSA County Committee.      |
| **Mowing is not allowed as maintenance or as a mid-contract           |
| management activity unless used as preparation for prescribed         |
| burning, strip spraying, or strip disking.**                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Additional guidance:                                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Mid-Contract Management Starting In Year:**                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Prescribed Burning:** according to an approved burn plan Burning    |
| will not occur more than once every three (3) years on the same       |
| acreage.                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Strip Spraying:** Spraying will not occur more than once every      |
| three (3) years on the same acreage.                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Strip Disking:** Disking will not occur more than once every three  |
| (3) years on the same acreage.                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Inter-seeding:** Inter-seeding will not occur more than once every  |
| three (3) years on the same acreage.                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **The Specific Mid Contract Management Activity will be decided by    |
| the participant in the scheduled year**                               |
|                                                                       |
| **based on condition of the vegetation, site considerations,          |
| capabilities of the participant, etc.**                               |
|                                                                       |
| Treatment will not occur more than once every three (3) years on the  |
| same acreage. Reimbursement will be dependant on the activity(s)      |
| performed based on local FSA Not-To-Exceed rates.                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **1**                                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| **For CRP Mid-contract Management job sheets see:                     |
| <http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>**         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+