Why Choose CRP? You Benefit. Land, Water and Wildlife Benefit. 

Restoring shallow water areas provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. The Conservation Reserve 

Program (CRP) provides farmers and landowners with practices like this to achieve many farming and 

conservation goals. Whatever the conservation challenge – soil conservation, water quality protection or wildlife 

habitat enhancement – CRP is a proven land performance and management solution.

Why Shallow Water Areas?

Shallow water areas built to an average depth of 

6-18 inches function as a critical resource for birds 

and other wildlife throughout the year. Providing 

water, food, and cover, they support species ranging 

from ducks and wading birds to small mammals 

to pollinators and other beneficial insects. They 

also act as reservoirs that can reduce downstream 

flood damage, as well as capture and/or breakdown 

nutrients and chemicals harmful to lakes, rivers and 

oceans. Offered in continuous sign-up, CP-9:

• Provides vital habitat for waterfowl and other 

wildlife

• Improves water quality by intercepting sediment 

and nutrients 

• Reduces downstream flooding damages

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-9 participants are guaranteed:

• 10 years of annual rental payments

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible costs 

of establishing the wetland practice

 - 50% from a Cost-Share Payment and

 - 40% from a Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) 

• Mid-Contract Management Cost Share

• Additional incentives may be available in your state 

under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement 

Program (CREP) 

Wildlife Habitat | Soil and Water Quality | Flood Control

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-9

SHALLOW WATER AREAS FOR WILDLIFE

Photo provided by FSA, MO
Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

FSA will ultimately determine participant and land eligibility.

Eligible Land

• Planted or considered planted 4 out of 6 

years between 2008 and 2013 

• Capable of being planted to an agricultural 

commodity

• Cropland must be must be suitable for the 

restoration of a shallow water area that will 

provide a source of water for the majority of 

the year

• Compliant with USDA’s highly erodible land 

and wetland provisions

Practice Requirements

• Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, 

insects, and pests shall be controlled

• Practice area must include a buffer of 

perennial vegetation 

Owner/Operator Eligibility

Participants must: 

• Have owned or operated the land for more 

than 12 months prior to program sign-up

• Be in control of the land for the length of the 

contract 

• Meet USDA payment eligibility provisions

Obligations

Participants will:

• Not harvest or graze the practice area except under 

certain approved conditions

• Work with USDA-approved conservationist to 

develop a conservation plan

• Perform periodic management activities according 

to the conservation plan

• Complete seeding of the practice within 12 months 

of the effective date of the contract

CP-9

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• Between 2005 and 2011, CRP contributed to an 

estimated net increase of 1.5 million additional ducks 

per year

• CRP reduced nutrient losses in FY 2014 by an 

estimated 542 million pounds of nitrogen and 108 

million pounds of phosphorus

• In 2014, CRP lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 

the equivalent of 43 million metric tons of CO2 - the 

same benefits as taking nearly 8 million cars off the 

road for a year

Photos provided by FSA MO and USFWS Steve Hillebrand respectively