# Presentation: 109574

## MY MEETING CONFERENCE CALL

**March 30, 2005**
**for **
**PRELIMINARY TRAINING and INFORMATION**
**involving the **
**CREP II  DRAFT PROPOSAL**
**for **
**SE, SW, and NW, MN**

## 
Break
Telephone on Mute
Sign in Sheet
My Meeting Software

- Break
- Telephone on Mute
- Sign in Sheet
- My Meeting Software

## Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program II(CREP II)

- Today's session will include:
- Opening Remarks
- Preliminary Information
- Procedures
- Eligibility
- Roles
- Responsibilities
- Promotion and Outreach

## Joint Agency Effort

- The information being presented today will be from the Minnesota State Offices of the:
-     Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)
-     USDA - Farm Service Agency (FSA)
-     USDA – Natural Resources Conservation
-                    Service (NRCS)

## OPENING REMARKS

- John Monson – FSA State Executive Director
- Ron Harnack – BWSR State Executive Director
- Bill Hunt – NRCS State Conservationist

## UPDATES

- Status of State Funding (Bonding Bill)
- CREP II Draft Agreement approval timeframe
- CREP II projected sign-up start date

## PURPOSE 

- Provide field staff information to date that has been developed for the proposed CREP II Agreement for SE, SW, and NW MN.
-     NOTE: there is a need to understand that the CREP II proposed agreement HAS NOT YET been approved. USDA is not going to move forward with a formal approval process until there is a substantial financial commitment from the State of Minnesota (the state’s substantial financial commitment is tied to the bonding bill which is hopefully only a few days away from the Governor’s approval).

**Notes:**
Edit notes –punctuation

## WHAT IS CREP II

- The CREP II proposal is a 120,000 acre Federal/State Partnership in SE, SW, and NW MN that involves the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Reinvest-In-Minnesota (RIM) Program.
- CREP II involves a 15-year CRP Contract and either a 45-year or permanent RIM easement (an exception is contour buffer strips in SE, MN which will involve a 15-year CRP contract only). In either case the first 15 years are administered through CRP provisions.
- The ability to enter into CREP is derived from CRP authority  and therefore CRP provisions govern CREP II (without CRP CREP would not be possible).

**Notes:**
Edit notes – changed 30 to 45

## FUNDNG LEVELS

- The State of Minnesota minimum contribution is 20% and the Federal Government maximum contribution is 80%. Funding levels are approximately $200 million dollars from the Federal Government and approximately $50 million dollars from the State.

**Notes:**
Added $ signs; the numbers look fine.

## CREP II Protocols

- The CREP II proposal is the product of extensive negotiation between governmental, agricultural, and environmental stakeholders. As a result of these negotiations a set of protocols was developed in an attempt to address the issues raised by various interests with respect to the CREP II proposal. These protocols were agreed to  by John Monson, MN FSA State Executive Director and Ron Harnack, MN BWSR State Executive Director in April, 2004.

## CREP II Protocols

- With these protocols in mind the CREP II proposal was designed to target only those most environmentally sensitive acreages identified in the three CREP areas’ original proposals with the concept of using minimum acreages necessary to address the resource concern. CREP II is not to be used to just enroll acreage with a mind set of a land retirement program.

## Landowner Bill of Rights

- As part of the conditions of the protocols a “Landowner Bill of Rights” was developed. This bill of rights was developed to explicitly spell out what rights are maintained, what rights are forfeited, and that all of this information is clearly communicated to the CREP II participant.
- The Landowner Bill of Rights will be one of the first documents CREP II applicants receive and it must be reviewed with and signed by the landowner.

**Notes:**
Modified second bullet.

## CREP II INTRODUCTION 

- CREP II seeks to convert 120,000 acres of environmentally sensitive cropland and marginal pastureland (only a small area in NW, MN) to native vegetation in order to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, increase flood damage reduction/storage, and provide for fish and wildlife habitat in SE, SW, and NW, MN. (CRP-1 needs to be approved by 9-30-07)

**Notes:**
Significance of date needs to be clarified or date omitted.

## WHY TRAINING NOW

- The State CREP II team ( County FSA, NRCS, SWCD, and Watershed  personnel; State Level BWSR, FSA, NRCS personnel) decided that the CREP proposal  process is at a stage where it would be beneficial to provide preliminary training and  information to county staff in anticipation that an official CREP II approval is only weeks away.
- Again, keep in mind the information provided should be considered draft and may be changed upon final review and approval.

## CREP II areas

- THE MN CREP II proposal provides authority for continuous enrollment of not more than 120,000 acres in the Lower Mississippi River Watershed in Southeastern, MN; Missouri/Des Moines Watersheds in Southwestern, MN; and the Red River Watershed in Northwestern, MN.

## CREP II Counties

- Northwest CREP area whole counties include: Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk (East and West), Norman, Mahnoman, Clay, and Wilkin. Partial counties include: Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Koochiching, Itasca, Clearwater, Becker, Ottertail (East and West), Grant, Stevens, Traverse and Big Stone.

## CREP II Counties

- Southwest CREP whole counties include: Rock and Nobles. Partial Counties include: Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin.
- Southeast CREP whole counties include; Goodhue, Wabasha, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona, Mower, Fillmore, Houston. Partial Counties include: Blue Earth, Dakota, Scott, Rice, LeSueur, Waseca, Steele, Faribault, Freeborn.

## Slide 18

**Notes:**
Added this graphic, but left the text description slides in, too.  Could somebody make the background go away for this one?

## Acreage Allocations and Targets

- The following are the acreage allocations and targets for each of the three areas:
- Northwest (Red River) – 51,000 acres of which:
- 35,435 acres are riparian areas (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM);
- 13,440 acres are wetland restoration (15 yr CRP/perpetual RIM);
- 2,125 acres of flood damage reduction (15 yr CRP/perpetual RIM).

**Notes:**
Edit notes – changed 30 to 45

## Acreage Allocations and Targets

- Southeast (Lower Mississippi) – 51,000 acres of which:
- 14,828 are riparian areas (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM).
- 6,179 acres are groundwater protection (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM);
- 18,058 of highly erodible (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM);
- 2,850 acre of contour buffer strips (15 yr CRP only);
- 6,960 acres of wetland restoration (15 yr. CRP/perpetual RIM);
- 2,125 acres of flood damage reduction (15 yr CRP/perpetual RIM).

**Notes:**
Changed 30 to 45

## Acreage Allocations and Targets

- Southwest (Missouri/DeMoines) – 18,000 acres of which:
- 11,634 acres are riparian areas (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM);
- 2,016 acres of wellhead/groundwater (15 yr CRP/45 yr RIM);
- 3,600 acres of wetland restoration (15 yr CRP/perpetual RIM);
- 750 acres of flood damage reduction (15 yr CRP/perpetual RIM).

**Notes:**
Changed 30 to 45; fixed 2,016 (typo in #)

## Basic Procedures CREP II Forms

- National CRP forms will be used for the CRP portion of CREP II;
- State RIM forms will be used for the RIM portion of CREP II;

**Notes:**
The third bullet is confusing as written.  Either omit it, or make it specific to the Bill of Rights.

## Basic ProceduresEligibility Criteria

- Must have owned or operated the land for a year from the date of CRP-1/CRP-2C application;
- Must be cropland and meet the 4 of 6 year cropping history requirements 1996-2001;
- An exception for CREP II is marginal pastureland areas in NW, MN that have suffered scour damage;
- The CREP II land must be entirely within the
-     CREP II project boundaries as defined by the four watersheds.

**Notes:**
What’s an HUC? (maybe should be spelled out); should an 80 acre cap bullet be added?  

## ProceduresCREP II Payments

- CREP II Payments will be comprised of the following:
-  CRP - annual rental payment which includes a 30% incentive and the maximum allowable per acre maintenance rate as outlined in 2-CRP (Rev. 4), paragraph 124C;
- SIP for CP21, CP22, CP26, and CP29;

## ProceduresCREP II Payments

- CREP II Payments will be comprised of the following:
- CRP Cost-share payment not to exceed 50% of eligible costs for practice establishment;
- CRP mid-contract management 50% cost-share;
- PIP for CP15A, CP21, CP22, CP26, and CP29;
- 25% incentive for CP23 and CP23A.

## ProceduresCREP II Payments

- RIM
- One time up front bonus payment based on  the average township farm land value reported on the Minnesota Land Economics website;
- Cost-share not to exceed 50% of eligible costs.

## CREP ELIGIBILITY

- Each Watershed has unique criteria which defines the locations eligible for CREP.
- Technical Determinations:
- 1) Identify if the requested location is within the    Watershed’s eligibility criteria;
- 2) Determine the extent of the eligible area and the extent to be enrolled;
- 3) Determine the CREP practice to be implemented;
- 4) Design the practice.

## CCRP Conservation Practices	

- Each application will have a
- 1. “CREP _Location_ **Documentation Eligibility Worksheet**”  and
- 2. “CREP _Practice_ **Documentation Eligibility and Suitability Worksheet** that NRCS or SWCD fills out and gives to FSA County Office.

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**                       **_**Eligible Locations**_
**I. Excessively Eroded Cropland**
**II. Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips)**
**III. Riparian Areas**
**IV. Wetland Restoration**
**V. Ground Water Protection**
**VI. Decorah Shale Outcrops**
**VII. Flood Damage Reduction areas**

## SOUTHWEST CREP 

**                       **_**Eligible Locations**_
**I. Riparian Areas**
**II. Wetland Restoration**
**III. Ground Water Protection**
**IV. Flood Damage Reduction areas**

## NORTHWEST CREP 

**                       **_**Eligible Locations**_
**I. Riparian Areas**
**II. Wetland Restoration**
**III. Flood Damage Reduction areas**

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS 

_**Riparian Areas**_
**Perennial Stream;**
**Seasonal Stream (contains water for only part of the year but more than just during and/or after rainfall or snowmelt);**
**Wetland determined by the Cowardin Classification System;**
**Permanent water body containing water throughout the year in all years.**

## CREP Eligible Wetlands 

|  | Herbaceous | Scrub-Shrub | Forested |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seasonally
Flooded | PEMC | PSS(1-5)C | PFO(1,2,4,5)C |
| Semi-Perm.
Flooded | PEMF | PSS(1-5)F | PFO(1,2,4,5)F |
| Intermittently
Exposed | PEMG | PSS(1-5)G | NA |
| Permanently
Flooded | PEMH | NA | NA |

## CREP RIPARIAN AREA     

- The riparian area begins at the top of the stream bank.  Some land adjacent to the stream may not meet the eligibility criteria and will not be enrolled in the CREP; however, this ineligible land shall be included:
- 		In the area used as a riparian buffer;
- 		In the conservation plan;
- 		When determining the width of the riparian 	area.

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS  

**Riparian Areas – **PRACTICE WIDTH
**Maximum Average Width needed for filtering is: between 30 and 120 feet when establishing the practice CP21 Filter Strip.**
**OR**
**Maximum Average Width needed for filtering between 30 and 180 feet when establishing the practice CP22 Riparian Buffer.****  **

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS  

**Riparian Areas – **
- PRACTICE WIDTH EXTENSION
**Total Width can be extended up to a maximum of 350 ft for any of the following purposes:**
** ****Water quality improvement**
** ****Wildlife habitat**
** ****Flooding**
** ****Squaring off fields**

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS  

**Riparian Areas – **
- PRACTICE WIDTH EXTENSION
**Total width can be extended Not-To-Exceed 600 ft. only when occasionally or frequently flooded soils exist (must be at least 51% of land within extension)**
- Show location and extent of “frequently/occasionally flooded” soils on photo, map or sketch.

## NORTHWEST CREP ONLY  

**Riparian Areas – **
- The Northwest will have provisions to enroll non-cropland areas that have experienced scour erosion using practice CP-29.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- The area offered must be _entirely_
- within the 100-year floodplain for CP23
- outside the 100-year floodplain for CP23A

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Technical Evaluation_
- Eligible sites are limited to only those wetland areas that have had the wetland hydrology component removed through alteration by drainage and/or manipulation and where it is feasible and practical to restore the wetland.  If any of the hydrologic components of the wetland cannot be restored through removing, blocking, manipulating or otherwise rendering inoperable the wetland drainage system, the wetland area is not eligible for enrollment.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Technical Evaluation_
- Cropping cessation and the subsequent establishment of vegetation on a wetland area in itself is not considered an eligible restoration option.
- Floodplain restorations must be evaluated to insure that the flood storage area is not reduced or adversely impacted through the placement of fill, dikes, levees, or embankments.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Technical Evaluation_
- All restorable wetland areas must meet USDA wetland criteria.  This means that the site,
- 		1) contains hydric soils,
- 		2) meets wetland hydrology criteria (when restored), and
- 		3) has or will have after restoration, hydrophytic vegetation.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Technical Evaluation_
- The goal of this enrollment area is to restore the wetland ecosystem to the _maximum extent possible_.
- Initial wetland restoration feasibility assessments must be completed and must consider avoiding impacts to adjacent properties, utilities, or other infrastructures unless approvals, permits or consents are attainable.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Design Criteria _
- Wetland acreage eligibility can be determined independent of USDA wetland determinations
- This acreage will typically include all hydric soil map units directly affected by the drainage and/or manipulation of the wetland.  This is also the wetland acreage that will be used to determine the amount of eligible cost share.
- The CREP Wetland Restoration practices may also enroll a buffer limited to the number of acres required to provide protective buffer to the cropped wetland and to enhance wildlife habitat not to exceed a ratio of 2 acres of buffer to 1 acre of restored wetland.

## CREP Wetland Restoration      

- _Design Criteria _
- Wetlands will be restored using standard 657.
- Vegetation establishment criteria are dependent on the native ecosystem.  The native ecosystem can be determined by the soil survey or by the native vegetation maps (TRYGG maps).
- Buffer areas for sites developed under a grassland ecosystem will be seeding according to standard 645 using a mixed stand with a minimum of 5 native species consisting of at least 3 grasses and 1 forb.
- Buffer areas for sites under a woodland ecosystem will use standard 612 or 645.

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

** ****Excessively Eroded Cropland**
- _FSA_ will determine and document excessively erodible cropland in a field or redefined field with an EI of 15 or greater using General Sign-Up Offer Processing (GSOP).  Use the 3 most predominant soils when calculating the weighted average EI. ** **

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

** ****Excessively Eroded Cropland**
**Documentation required :**
**Attach a printout of the GSOP result showing the average EI.**
**Attach the GIS map/soil map and the CLU of the eligible areas.**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

** ****Excessively Eroded Cropland**
**Applicant, with the assistance of technical agencies, chooses one the practices:  **
** ****CP2 Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses**
** ****CP3A Hardwood Tree Planting**
** ****CP4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips) **
_**FSA**_** will document erodible cropland in a field or redefined field with an EI of 8 or greater using General Sign-Up Offer Processing (GSOP).  Use the 3 most predominant soils when calculating the weighted average EI. **

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips) **
**Note****: This determination is **_**entirely**_** different than the NRCS HEL determination process**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips) **
**Documentation required: **
**Attach a printout of the GSOP result showing the average EI.**
**Attach the GIS map/soil map and the CLU of the eligible areas.**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips) **
**Documentation required (NRCS)**
**Within eligible fields/redefined fields the area enrolled is restricted to only the contour buffer strips.  **

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Erodible Cropland (Contour Buffer Strips) **
**Conditions of eligibility:**
**Non-enrolled cropped strips must exist and be wider than the enrolled buffer strips that separate them.**
**The contract is limited to 14-15 year **
**      ****CRP-1 only (no RIM)**
**Must meet the requirements of NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 332.**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Ground Water Protection**
_**Sinkholes and Karst Areas:**_
**Use a County Soil Survey or in field observation to determine that sinkholes and karst areas exist.  Attach a copy of the soil survey or a map showing the sinkholes or karst areas.**
**The buffer can be up to a maximum average width of 200 ft. from the edge of the sinkhole or karst area.**
**Use practice CP21 and NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Filter Strip, Code 393.**

## SOUTHEAST and SOUTHWEST 

**Ground Water Protection**
- _Wellhead Protection Areas_
- Eligible land must be _entirely_ within 10-year wellhead protection area as defined by the MN Dept. of Health (MDH).
- The 2000-foot radius rule used for CCRP is not used for CREP.

## SOUTHEAST and SOUTHWEST  

**Ground Water Protection**
- _Wellhead Protection Areas_
- Applicant with the assistance of technical agencies, chooses one of the practices below:
-  CP2 Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses
-  CP3A Hardwood Tree Planting
-  CP4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Decorah Shale Outcrops**
**Field determination is required based on county soil survey or County Geological Atlas.  Attach a map showing the Decorah Shale outcrops.**
**Adjacent areas 50-feet immediately upslope and down slope are eligible for enrollment.**
**Whole fields can be enrolled if more than 75% of the field is eligible.**

## SOUTHEAST CREP 

**Decorah Shale Outcrops**
**Applicant with the assistance of technical agencies, chooses one of the practices: **
** ****CP2 Establishment of Permanent Native Grasses**
** ****CP3A Hardwood Tree Planting**
** ****CP4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat**

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS  

**Flood Damage Reduction Areas**
**Those areas that have been reviewed and recommended as flood damage reduction projects by the watershed project team.  **

## SOUTHEAST and SOUTHWEST  

**Flood Damage Reduction Areas** are t**hose CP21/CP22 sites that have 51% occasionally or frequently flooded soils and;**
**Are listed in a local flood mitigation plan **
**OR**
**Have been eligible for EWP or ECP in the last 20 years.    **

## NORTHWEST  

**Flood Damage Reduction Areas are t****hose sites that are acknowledged by the local Watershed District or Watershed Board as being capable of mitigating flood damages.**
**There is the possibility of another (new) CREP practice to help solve flooding problems.    **

## ALL CREP LOCATIONS  

**Flood Damage Reduction Areas**
**You should expect additional clarification and details on these criteria from the state level CREP team.  **

## CREP II ROLES

**FSA** – Administers all aspects of the CRP;
**BWSR** – Administers all aspects of RIM;
**SWCD** – Administers all local aspects of RIM;
**BWSR, DNR, NRCS** **& SWCD** – Provides technical assistance;
- Other Partners - Promotes and educates their customers on the benefits of CREP.
- Note: a joint effort shall be made by all involved with CREP II to provide outreach and promotion to eligible producers.

**Notes:**
This is a duplicate slide.  It is also slide 21.

## FSA Responsibilities

- FSA is responsible for determining:
- If the producer meets eligibility requirements;
- If the basic land and practice eligibility criteria are met;
- If the program policy and practice size requirements are satisfied according to the
-    2-CRP and CREP agreement;
- On-site review if necessary.

## FSA Responsibilities

- Contact applicant to determine continued interest in CREP II enrollment;
- Ensure applicant signs CRP-1;
- Notify NRCS to complete conservation plan.
-     Note: Consultation with SHPO/THPO for Cultural Resource issues and the USFWS for
-     T & E issues may be necessary.

## BWSR Responsibilities

- Administers all aspects of the RIM easement acquisition:
- Coordination with SWCD on acquisition;
- Ensures adequate funding, disburses easement payments, and cost share reimbursements upon receipt of proper documentation.

**Notes:**
New slide

## BWSR Responsibilities

- Coordinates all wetland restoration and other engineering practice activities.
- Provides and/or coordinates engineering/technical assistance (survey, design, construction).

**Notes:**
New slide

## SWCD Responsibilities

- Explains CREP II process to applicant;
- Ensures all RIM documents and expectations are explained to applicant;
- Works with applicant to complete RIM forms;
- Administers local aspects of the easement acquisition and coordination with other local staff;
- Can perform NRCS duties if proper agreements and TAA are in place.

**Notes:**
Reworked order of bulllets

## Technical Responsibilities

- Technical responsibilities performed by NRCS/SWCD:
- visits the area of the offered acres;
- completes the “Documentation of Eligibility and Suitability Worksheet” for each practice listed on the CRP-2C;
- fills in block 13 of the CRP-2C;
- returns the CRP-2C and a copy of the “Documentation” worksheets to **FSA.**

## NRCS/SWCD Responsibilities

- completes the Environmental Evaluation Worksheet (NRCS-CPA-052);
- completes a conservation plan in ToolKit;
- completes a Conservation Plan Schedule of Operations (AD-1155);
- completes a detailed practice design and/or a job sheet for each practice on the CRP-2C;

## NRCS/SWCD Responsibilities

- All conservation practices designed must meet:
- the requirements of the corresponding FOTG practice standard and CREP II agreement;
- the Minnesota Upland Treatment Policy;
- the 2-CRP Handbook requirements;

**Notes:**
TSP??

## NRCS/SWCD Responsibilities

***NRCS*** will refer all applicable CREP II forestry practices to the _**MN Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry**_ to be designed by a forester.  _**DNR**_-_Forestry_ will submit the completed forestry practice design(s) to ***NRCS ***for inclusion in the conservation plan.

## DNR-Forestry Responsibilities

-    Through a national level Cooperative Agreement, DNR-Forestry has the responsibility for developing tree and/or shrub planting designs for CP3A, CP22, CP23, and CP23A using the appropriate NRCS Standards.

**Notes:**
Deleted CP23A

## TSP Opportunities

**Non - Reimbursable Assistance**
**Conservation partners working with NRCS can work in a non-reimbursable fashion on CREP II which includes all phases of CREP II activities.  When this occurs NRCS must review and sign-off on all their work, indicating that it is technically complete and correct (NRCS can do this by delegating “technical approval authority” to specific partners) and NRCS retains the technical responsibility and liability for these work products.**

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- Customer visits USDA Service Center to discuss long term CREP II land retirement options with CREP staff (FSA, NRCS, SWCD, and DNR) as well as other land retirement program options;
- If customer is interested in proceeding with the CREP II process a Landowner Bill of Rights is provided to the customer and then customer is;
- Referred to FSA County personnel to generate a CRP-2C, map and preliminary CREP II acreage amount;

**Notes:**
Caps fixed; TW added text to last bullet

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- FSA County Office determines if the customer meets eligibility requirements;
- FSA County Office makes initial determination if the land and the practice(s) meet eligibility criteria;
- If above is met, FSA refers CRP-2C with an aerial map and preliminary enrollment acres to NRCS or SWCD;

**Notes:**
Caps fixed; TW added text to last bullet

## Processing CREP II Applications	

-     Based on a field visit:
- NRCS or SWCD completes Documentation of Eligibility and Suitability Worksheet for each CREP II practice on the CRP-2C;
- Determines if the practice(s) meet the eligibility criteria;
- NRCS/SWCD provides findings to FSA;
- If the practice(s) is (are) eligible NRCS/SWCD fills in block 13 of CRP-2C and returns the form to FSA (if ineligible return form unfilled to FSA);

**Notes:**
TW added 3rd bullet

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- FSA determines if the customer remains eligible and determines if still interested in enrolling in the CREP II program and if so;
- FSA completes  the CRP-2C with final acreage amounts and applicant completes CRP-2C, item 9 if CREP II application process is to continue.

**Notes:**
The order of the CRP-2C, RIM application, etc. needs to be discussed.  Possibly move second bullet to next slide.

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- The applicant visits the SWCD office, reviews CREP II program eligibility and the additional requirements for the RIM portion of the CREP II and if still interested completes a RIM application;

**Notes:**
Possibly move to 2nd bullet on previous slide

## Processing CREP II Applications

- RIM application materials to be submitted:
- Conservation Easement Application
- RIM Reserve Easement Area Assessment Form
- Aerial photo with easement area clearly outlined, or electronic GIS shape file
- Agreement Information Form

**Notes:**
New slide

## Processing CREP II Applications

- RIM application materials to be submitted:
- CREP payment calculation form
- Conservation Easement Practice Payment Worksheet (CEPPW)
- Landowner’s deed(s) to the property
- Copy of the CREP II NRCS practice eligibility worksheet
- Wetland Restoration Information Form – required for all wetland restorations.
*See the SWCD Easement Acquisition Information Packet for further detail*

**Notes:**
New slide

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- If the CREP II process is to continue, NRCS or SWCD develops the conservation plan for all practices and a MN-CPA-052 to FSA;
- BWSR Board Conservationists receive and review  RIM easement applications and forwards to BWSR St. Paul;
- BWSR St. Paul approves the RIM easement application;

**Notes:**
This slide reworked

## Processing CREP II Applications

- BWSR performs and/or coordinates comprehensive site investigations, including preliminary plans, and verifies site eligibility and enrollment acres (CP23, CP23A & CP26).

**Notes:**
New slide

## Processing CREP II Applications

- BWSR easement staff prepares the state’s Agreement for RIM;
- CRP-1/CRP-2C are completed if not already done so and are date and time stamped and entered into FSA Website for acreage allocation recording (note: first 5 CREP offers from each county are to be sent to the FSA STO for review and approval). The FSA STO will acknowledge on the website if there is an acreage allocation available based on the sequential date and time stamped on the CRP-1/CRP-2 when offers are made.

## Processing CREP II Applications

- Offer Selection Process
- Offers (completed CRP-1/CRP-2C signed by the applicant) MUST BE date and time stamped and recorded into the FSA Website daily so the FSA State Office can authorize approval provided there is acreage remaining for that particular resource concern.

**Notes:**
This seems to duplicate the second bullet of the previous slide.

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- SWCD continues to process CREP RIM easement as per usual RIM operating procedures;
- Once FSA State Office issues CRP-1  authorization based on website entries the standard CRP procedures for approving CRP-1 are to be followed.

**Notes:**
Omit the first bullet and move the second bullet to a later slide.

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- Prior to approving the CRP-1 and signing the RIM Agreement, all local partners are to meet with the applicant to make certain everyone thoroughly understands the requirements, obligations, and approximate costs involved;
- The RIM agreement, the conservation plans and the CRP-1 are signed by the applicant, and other applicable parties and approved by the FSA COC.

**Notes:**
Edited for tense; slide reworked.  From this point forward, the order of the slides has been redone to better reflect the steps, but will need to be discussed.

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- FSA COC approves the CRP-1;
**Note**:  CRP-1 effective start date for CREP is the same policy as CCRP provisions.
- FSA can then issue a SIP for practices CP21, CP22, CP26, and CP29;
- FSA issues page 2 of the AD-245 to the CREP participant for practice completion;

**Notes:**
Order of slides changes; 3rd bullet omitted.

## Processing CREP II Applications	

- Upon practice completion, FSA will issue PIP for CP15A, CP21, CP22, CP26, CP29;
- FSA will issue 15 years of annual CRP rental payments;
- RIM provisions will be followed upon expiration of CRP-1.

**Notes:**
Order of slides changes; 3rd bullet omitted.

## Summary of RIM Easement Acquisition Process

- RIM application completed and sent to BWSR St. Paul;
- Agreement for Conservation Easement developed and signed by landowner and BWSR;
- SWCD obtains title insurance commitment with landowner’s updated abstract and sends to BWSR for review;
- RIM conservation plan is finalized and sent to BWSR St. Paul;

## Summary of RIM Easement Acquisition Process

- Clear title is determined and easement documents signed and recorded;
- Easement payment is issued.
- Please refer to the *SWCD *Easement Acquisition Information Packet for more detailed information on the documents and procedures associated with completing a RIM application.

## Conservation Practice Implementation and Payment

-    Once practice is complete, CREP applicant certifies performance, and required follow-up is complete,
- FSA can issue cost-share;
- FSA will issue the 25% incentive for practices CP23/CP23A and a PIP for practices CP15A, CP21, CP22, CP26, and CP29;
- SWCD can submit cost-share to BWSR St. Paul for  reimbursement.

**Notes:**
Deleted CP23A per TW; reworked slide; changed title

## Marketing and Promotion

- CREP II is a partnership between the BWSR, DNR, SWCD, Watersheds, USDA and other partners and personnel including marketing and promotion. Therefore every effort must be made by all to coordinate any and all marketing and promotion efforts.

## FOLLOWUP TRAINING

- Once there is an official announcement for an approval of the proposed CREP II Agreement, more in-depth training will be provided.
- Please keep in mind the information provided today should be considered **DRAFT** and may be changed upon final review and approval.

**Notes:**
reworded

## Done!

- Please fax in your attendance sheets to the FSA State Office.
- Please feel free to submit questions, corrections or comments to your state office representative.
- Any More Questions?