United States Department of Agriculture

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

**Conservation Program Job Sheet**

**PURPOSE**

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) policy requires newly enrolled
participants, starting with Signup 26, to do some type of "disturbance"
to certain CRP practices during the life of the contract to benefit
wildlife. This job sheet gives a brief description of the four available
options.

The purpose of mid-contract management activities is to enhance the
wildlife habitat value of the enrolled acres by increasing the amount of
bare soil and by encouraging a diverse forb/legume community.

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Normally, mid-contract management activities are conducted between the
4^th^ and 7^th^ year of the contract. However, on land with existing
cover, disturbance activities can begin as soon as technically feasible.

**ALL MCM PRACTICES**

The following items apply to [all]{.underline} four of the mid-contract
management (MCM) activities listed below.

1.  MCM operations will [not]{.underline} be performed from **April 1
    through August 1**, the primary nesting period for grassland bird
    species.

2.  Under most circumstances, the [maximum]{.underline} amount that can
    be disturbed during any year is 1/3^rd^ of the contract acreage.

3.  Grassland fields must be established for a minimum of three years
    before starting the activity.

4.  MCM operations on grassed waterways, riparian forest buffers, or
    areas planted to trees and/or shrubs are not allowed.

5.  The following environmentally sensitive areas will be avoided:

-   Concentrated flow areas

-   Critical areas

-   Within the first 20 feet of a practice that borders a water resource
    to avoid water quality resource concerns

-   Other areas where gully erosion is likely

**STRIP DISKING**

Strips will not be disked more than once in a two-year period.

The disking operations will result in strips having 40% -- 70% bare
soil, equally distributed throughout the area of disturbance.

Disked strips will be a maximum of 50 feet wide.

Alternate disked strips with undisturbed areas 2-4 times the width
(100-200 feet) of the disturbed strip.

Strip disking operations will be performed along field contours, or
across the slope, when practical. Strips will parallel brushy or woody
escape cover when feasible.

For additional requirements see the CRP Strip Disking Program Sheet at:

<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>

**STRIP SPRAYING**

Strips will not be sprayed more than once in a two-year period.

Sprayed strips will be a maximum of 50 feet wide.

Alternate spray strips with undisturbed areas 2-4 times the width
(100-200 feet) of the disturbed strip.

Strip spraying operations will be performed along field contours, or
across the slope, when practical.

Sprayed trips will parallel brushy or woody escape cover when feasible.

All Federal, State and Local guidelines and Manufacturer's label rates
will be followed when applying herbicides.

For additional requirements see the CRP Strip Spraying Program Sheet at:

<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>

**INTER-SEEDING FORBS & LEGUMES**

Forb and legume mixes will consist of a total of ½ to 1 lb. per acre,
and will contain a minimum of five species in approximately equal
proportions. Forb and legume species will be selected from Table 1 of
the CRP Inter-seeding Program Sheet found at:

<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>.

Under most circumstances, the [maximum]{.underline} amount that can be
inter-seeded during any year is 1/3^rd^ of the contract acreage.

Inter-seeded strips will be a maximum of 50 feet wide.

Alternate inter-seeded strips with undisturbed areas 2-4 times the width
(100-200 feet) of the seeded strip.

Inter-seeding operations will be performed along field contours, or
across the slope, when practical.

Inter-seeded strips will parallel brushy or woody escape cover when
feasible.

For site preparation, seeding dates, and planting methods, and other
additional requirements, see the CRP Inter-seeding Program Sheet at:

<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>

**PRESCRIBED BURNING**

**A written prescribed burn plan must be completed before any fires are
started.** The burn plan will identify suitable weather conditions,
needed personnel and equipment, adjacent and in-field hazards, and the
safest firing method, in addition to the time of year to conduct the
burn for the best management results.

**The landowner is responsible for securing a written burn plan
developed by a qualified individual.** The burn plan will identify
suitable weather conditions, needed personnel and equipment, adjacent
and in-field hazards, and the safest firing method, in addition to the
time of year to conduct the burn for the best management results.

**The landowner is responsible for adhering to the burn plan, as well as
all applicable local, state and federal laws. Landowners are responsible
for confining prescribed burns to their lands and are liable for damages
and costs to others should the fire escape from the designated area.**

Rotate fields through a 3-year burning cycle.

When Prescribed Burning will be used as site preparation for
inter-seeding forbs, the burn will result in a seedbed that consists of
40-70% bare soil.

Firebreaks will be constructed according to the specifications stated in
the burn plan.

Areas planted to trees will not be burned.

Areas planted to shrubs should normally not be burned. However, under
some circumstances, shrubs can be stunted by fire to produce a
beneficial low-growing structure. Consult your IDNR District Biologist
for guidance.

For additional requirements see the CRP Prescribed Burning Program Sheet
at:

<http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/crphomepage.html>

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who
require alternative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326W Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.