# Presentation: 710090

## Continuous CRP (CCRP)

**NRCS Technical Guidance: Conservation Plan and Practice Criteria**

- Ecological Sciences Section
- March 2007

## CCRP Technical Assistance

_**Like every other program, practices planned must:**_
**  **address a resource concern**  **
-   be feasible for the site,
-   designed to meet NRCS technical              standards (FOTG)
-   meet CRP program requirements
- 		> FSA - program policy, size, CS policy
- 		> NRCS – purpose, (size?, CS?)
**NRCS makes the final practice eligibility decision...**

## CCRP Technical Assistance

_**Additional Guidance for ‘Marginal Pasture’:**_
- cannot have both ‘marginal pasture’ andcropland in the same contract
-  2CRP indicates:		                           - if land is suited to trees, then CP22 is the practice to use.- if land not suited to trees, use CP29 or CP30.- **In NC, this is a client choice**, unless there are technical 	water quality reasons to require a 391 (CP-22).
- 	- if excluding livestock from existing tree cover would fully 	address resource concern, then not eligible for CCRP – ie. 	**there should be some change to vegetation** as part of 	CCRP plan.

## CCRP Technical Assistance

_**Program size policy CAN (WILL?) influence practice design **_
*Minimum Criteria* is a ***technical*** issue (will the practice function properly to accomplish CCRP purposes?)
*Maximum Criteria* is a ***program*** issue (CRP allow wider width and will often pay for more than the minimum needed to meet NRCS standard?)

## Conservation Plan Development

_**Coordinating with NCDFR & Other Agencies**_
- NRCS insures that specific practice requirements are communicated to other agencies (use the Tech Request/other written documentation)
- NRCS checks other agency’s plan to insure that prescription meets NRCS practice standards and CRP requirements.  Your plan must be specific!
- All elements of the other agency plan must be incorporated in overall conservation plan and contract support document (ex. release treatments, etc.)

## PLAN and CPO REQUIREMENTS

- Prepared using in Toolkit (plan and contract).
- Has a good Conservation Plan Map...use ArcGIS and FSA CLU layer when available.  Otherwise generate your own map using GIS or FSA map provided with CRP-1.  Tabular toolkit ok....
- Conservation Plan Map shows CCRP field boundaries, qualifying water if applicable, practice location (structural practices, planned riparian buffer zones, wildlife openings, natural regeneration, etc.)
- Includes all eligible acres...use field numbers and acres from CRP-1. (Ineligible acres may be required in plan.)
- Includes a soils map and legend

## PLAN and CPO REQUIREMENTS - more

- Contains practices and narratives needed for successful establishment and O&M. Refer to Job Sheets (which should have incorporated all requirements of other agency plan), designs/specifications.
- _Use CCRP Plan Matrix_ (Dec. 2006).
- Contains required management practices (Also in CCRP Plan Matrix)

## PLAN and CPO REQUIREMENTS - more

- _Plan should cover the standard CRP boilerplate stuff!_
- Prohibits harvesting or grazing
- Contains control of weeds, insects, pests
- Encourages best maintenance (management) of approved cover (prescribed burning)
- Ensures that cover is not disturbed in nesting or brood season
- Is reviewed (signed) by SWCD
- Incorporates requirements for permits (if needed)
- Is signed by all parties to the CRP-1
- Schedule to establish cover in 1st 12 months (1st 24 months if approved by COC, NRCS, up to 3 years for certain hardwood situations)

## Aids, helps, enhancements to improve plan/contract quality and consistency

- _Sign-up 35 CCRP Plan Matrix other helps_	_[www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/CRPrules.html](http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/CRPrules.html)_
- 		CP33 – Upland Bird Habitat Buffer Jobsheet
- 		CP36 – Longleaf Pine fact sheet
- _[Conservation Plan Checklist](file:///../../Documents%20and%20Settings/robert.horton/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKD2/crep2006/consplnreq.pdf)_   NEW (handout)
- 	_[www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/TechRef/CPGuidance.html](http://www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/TechRef/CPGuidance.html)_
- _[Forestry Tech. Request Worksheet](file:///../../Documents%20and%20Settings/robert.horton/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKD2/crep2006/CREP-CRP_Forestry_Tech_Request.doc)_ (not for CCRP yet)
- _Guidance on using TSP’s for CRP_
- _Updated Cost List_
- 	 www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/CRP/CRPrules.html

## Other Plan/CPO Issues

- FSA is the contact for cost share questions.
- Mowing and chemical spraying can be done at any time, including primary nesting season if required for establishment.
- Plan 666 for release years after establishment.
- Only 2 CS chemical sprayings are allowed by FSA policy, 1 pre-plant and 1 post plant
- Provide a full copy of plan to FSA (including AD1155, job sheets, Other Agency Plan)

## OTHER CRP Technical Assistance 

- Reconstitutions and Change of Ownership
-              *NRCS/TSP There is a difference!*

## CP5A Field Windbreak, noneasement

- POLICY – “apply to eligible cropland needing protection against serious wind erosion and ...enhance wildlife.”
- PURPOSE – “establish windbreaks to improve the environmental benefits on a farm or ranch to:  • reduce cropland erosion below soil loss tolerance • enhance the wildlife habitat on the designated area.”
-  SIZE (width) – “design standard in FOTG, established to reduce cropland erosion regardless of the purpose of the field windbreak. The maximum width of a field windbreak shall not exceed the design standard established to reduce cropland erosion.”
- OTHER – must bring soil loss to less than T,  wildlife is not a major option here even though in the purpose – cannot exceed size needed to bring soil loss to T (wildlife opportunity in species selection)
- Management activities - None
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP8A Grassed Waterway, noneasement

- POLICY – “apply to eligible cropland”
- PURPOSE – “purpose of this practice is to: • convey runoff from terraces, diversions, or other water concentrations without causing erosion or flooding  • improve water quality.”
-  SIZE (width)
- Minimum – meet FOTG requirements
- Maximum – up to 2 times the minimum, if requested, not to exceed 100ft.
- OTHER – improve environmental benefits to less than T,  prevent recurring degradation, wildlife is secondary (vegetation choice)
- Management activities - None
- 10 year CRP contract

## CP9 Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife

- POLICY – “Apply this practice to eligible cropland that is suitably located and adapted to the development or restoration of a shallow water area for wildlife that will provide a source of water for the majority of the year.”
- PURPOSE – “• develop or restore shallow water areas to an average depth of 6 to 18 inches for wildlife. The shallow water area must provide a source of water for wildlife for the majority of the year.”“•  must include an adequate buffer area of perennial vegetation to protect the water quality and provide wildlife habitat”
-  SIZE – whole practice (including buffer) cannot exceed 10 acres.
- Minimum buffer width – 20 ft. (filter strip std)
- Maximum buffer width – 120 ft. average
- Management activities – 647/light disking rotation or 338/prescribed burning rotation
- 10 year CRP contract

## CP16A Shelterbelt, noneasement

- POLICY – “Apply this practice to eligible cropland to protect farmsteads or livestock areas against serious wind and to save energy.”  (Not the same as field windbreak)
- PURPOSE – “to establish shelterbelts on a farm or ranch to:          • enhance the wildlife habitat on the designated area
- 		• save energy
- 		• protect farmsteads or livestock areas.”
-  SIZE (width) –
- Minimum – meet FOTG requirements to protect farmsteads or livestock
- Maximum – up to 2 times the minimum if requested (wording muddy, assume we can go up to 2 times minimum)
- OTHER – wildlife seems to be lowly though mentioned in purpose (wildlife opportunity in species selection)
- Management activities - None
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP21 Filter Strips

- POLICY – must be “adjacent to and parallel to stream or water body”  (over a page of explanation in 2-CRP) NRCS determines:  • cropland is suitable to be devoted to a filter strip • the filter strip is needed and feasible to solve the resource concern • the cropland is capable, after the filter strip is established, of substantially reducing pollutants in the nearby eligible stream or other water body.
- PURPOSE – water quality
- SIZE (width)
- Minimum – meet FOTG requirements, not less than 20 ft.
- Maximum – 120 ft (wider if needed for WQ and justified in writing), up to 50% of drainage area.
- OTHER – Sheet flow required; wildlife mentioned in environmental concerns
- Management activities – 647/light disking rotation or 338/prescribed burning rotation
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP22 Riparian Buffer

- POLICY – must be “adjacent to and parallel to stream or water body”  (over a page of explanation in 3-CRP) NRCS determines: • the cropland/marginal past. is suitable to be devoted to a riparian buffer • the riparian buffer is needed and feasible to solve the resource concern • the cropland/marginal past. is capable, after the riparian buffer is established, of meeting the purposes; Zone 1 of the riparian buffer is devoted (planted or natural regeneration) to trees.
- PURPOSE – basically water quality, aquatic organisms, lower temperature, other wildlife habitat
- SIZE (width) – there is a new NRCS - NC 391 – Riparian Forest Buffer std.;  width of buffer measured from top of streambank, existing trees must be considered.
- Zone1 – 15 ft min. (deciduous)
- Zone 2 – 20 ft min. (deciduous, conifer, mixed – depending upon purpose) – per 391 std.
- Per 2-CRP, minimum width of Zone 1 & 2 is lesser of 100 ft or 30% floodplain
- Zone 3 of native vegetation may be needed for concentrated flow (<= 20ft. for marginal past.)
- Maximum CP-22 width – 180 ft (wider if needed for WQ and justified in writing) up to 50% of drainage area.
- OTHER – Sheet flow.  Consider hydrology restoration and filter strips on bisecting ditches.  Can C/S for fencing, watering facility, pipelines, etc (total CS for water dev. $3000)
- Management activities – If wildlife openings planned, 647 (to maintain openings) or 645 for plantings in openings.
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP23 Wetland Restoration

- POLICY APPLICATION– Apply this practice to eligible wetlands and associated acreage that are suitably located and adapted to the restoration of wetland functions and values. The restoration of wetland hydrology is only required to the extent specified by the producer.  (Must be 51% hydric soils not including buffers)
- PURPOSE – restore the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been devoted to agricultural use. The level of restoration of the wetland ecosystem shall be determined by the producer in consultation with NRCS or TSP.
- SIZE – determined by NRCS; must be in 100yr floodplain and meet 51% hydric.
- Maximum buffer – adjacent buffer to protect wetland and improve wildlife cannot exceed 3:1
- OTHER – incentive for restoring hydrology (25%);  veg. suited to wetland type to be restored (based on site)
- Management activities – 644 Wetland WL Habitat Mgt / water table control
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP23A Wetland Restoration, non                                                      floodplain

- POLICY APPLICATION– Apply this practice to eligible wetlands and associated acreage that are any of the following: • located outside the 100-year floodplain;  The land must be suitable and adapted to the restoration of wetland functions and values. The restoration of wetland hydrology is only required to the extent specified by the producer.
- PURPOSE – restore the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been devoted to agricultural use. The level of restoration of the wetland ecosystem shall be determined by the producer in consultation with NRCS or TSP.
- SIZE – determined by NRCS.
- Maximum buffer – adjacent buffer to protect wetland and improve wildlife cannot exceed 4:1
- OTHER – incentive for restoring hydrology (25%);  veg. suited to wetland type to be restored (based on site)
- Management activities – 644 Wetland WL Habitat Mgt / water table control
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP29 Marginal Past. Wildlife Buffer

- POLICY – must be “adjacent to and parallel to stream or water body”  (over a page of explanation in 2-CRP); “natural vegetation for site is primarily a mixture of grasses, shrubs, and forbs” NRCS determines: • the marginal pastureland is suitable to be devoted to a wildlife habitat buffer • the wildlife habitat buffer is needed and feasible to solve the resource concern • the marginal pastureland is capable, after the wildlife habitat buffer is established, of substantially reducing pollutants in the nearby eligible stream or other water body.
- PURPOSE – basically water quality (where trees not suited)
- SIZE (width) – determined by NRCS from top of bank
- Minimum – meet FOTG requirements for WQ, not less than 20 ft; existing trees must be considered
- Maximum – 120 ft, wider if needed for WQ and justified in writing
- OTHER – though this is called a wildlife buffer;  most of language is WQ and not wildlife; wildlife through natives; watering facility, pipelines, fence, etc (total CS for water dev. $3000)
- Management activities – 647/light disking rotation on 1/3 to 1⁄2 buffer each yr. and herbicide to control unwanted woody vegetation.
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP30 Marginal Past. Wetland Buffer

- POLICY – must be “adjacent to and parallel to stream or water body”  (over a page of explanation in 2-CRP); and wetlands NRCS determines: • the marginal pastureland is suitable to be devoted to a wetland buffer • the wetland buffer is needed and feasible to solve the resource concern • the marginal pastureland is capable, after the wetland buffer is established, of substantially reducing pollutants in the nearby eligible stream or other water body.
- PURPOSE – basically water quality and improve wildlife habitat
- SIZE (width) – determined by NRCS (written a lot like CP29 from top of bank)
- Minimum – meet FOTG requirements for WQ, not less than 20 ft; existing trees must be considered
- Maximum – 120 ft, wider if needed for WQ and justified in writing
- OTHER – more specific for wildlife in purpose, etc.;  most of language is WQ ; watering, pipelines, fence, etc (total CS for water dev. $3000)
- Management activities - 647/light disking rotation on 1/3 to 1⁄2 buffer each yr. and herbicide to control unwanted woody vegetation.
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP31 Bottomland Timber                     Establishment on Wetlands

- POLICY – Apply this practice to eligible lands suitable for growing bottomland hardwood trees or adapted shrubs that will provide multipurpose forest and wildlife benefits.  Eligibility section “be within the recognized 100-year flood plain for a river or stream with permanent flow”
- PURPOSE – establish and provide for the long-term viability of a bottomland hardwood stand of trees that will: • control sheet, rill, scour, and other erosion • reduce water, air, or land pollution • restore and enhance the natural and beneficial functions of wetlands • promote carbon sequestration • restore and connect wildlife habitat.
- SIZE  – determined by NRCS (whole fields – within 100 yr. floodplain)
- OTHER – CS policy requires (3 hardwood species), softwoods will not meet CS policy in NC; natural regeneration by nuts/seed not allowed
- Management activities - None
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## CP33 Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds

- POLICY – no section on this CP practice
- PURPOSE – provide food and cover for quail and upland birds in cropland areas. Secondary benefits may include reducing soil erosion from wind and water, increasing soil and water quality, protecting and enhancing the on-farm ecosystem.
- SIZE  – determined by NRCS (field must be >=5ac)
- Minimum –30 ft
- Maximum – 120 ft
- OTHER – wildlife is main reason...early successional veg. required; not a whole field practice;  travelways required for access
- Management activities – 647/light disking rotation on 1/3 to 1⁄2 buffer each yr. and herbicide spot treatment once year 6-8 to control unwanted woody vegetation. Opt – 338/prescribed burning on 1/3 to 1⁄2 buffer each yr.
- 10 year CRP contract

## CP36 Longleaf Pine Initiative

- All from CRP-541 NOTICE – not in 2-CRP yet
- PURPOSE – reestablish longleaf pine stands at densities that benefit wildlife and protect water quality
- ELEGIBLE LAND – cropland in Longleaf CPA & FSA Soils database
- OTHER – portions of fields w/ soils not suited to LL are ineligible, 400-500 trees per acre; understory management required; planting suitable native grass/forbs optional
- Management activities – 338/prescribed burning and 394/firebreak per schedule in matrix
- 10 **to** 15 year CRP contract

## Continuous Conservation Reserve Program

**Spirited discussion and questions...**