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

Grass waterways are designed to move water across a field minimizing erosion and reducing the delivery 

of sediment to lakes, streams, and rivers. 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 Grass Waterways?

Grass waterways reduce the negative effects of 

water flow on cropland. The grass cover forming 

the waterway functions as a natural filter, slowing 

the water flow and trapping sediment and nutrients 

in run-off. Waterways can also enhance wildlife 

habitat by providing cover and security for birds, 

mammals and insects. Offered in continuous 

sign-up, CP-8A:

• Reduces soil erosion and prevents gulleys

• Protects water quality by intercepting and 

trapping sediment and nutrients

• Creates habitat for pollinators and grassland 

and game bird species

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-8A participants are guaranteed:

• 10 years of annual rental payments with an 

additional 20% Rental Rate Incentive 

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible 

costs of establishing the grass practice

 - 50% from a Cost-Share Payment and

 - 40% from a Practice Incentive Payment (PIP) 

• Sign-up Incentive Payment (SIP) up to $100/acre

• Mid-Contract Management Cost Share

• Additional incentives may be available in 

your state under the Conservation Reserve 

Enhancement Program (CREP) 

Erosion Control | Water Quality Enhancement | Wildlife Habitat

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-8A

GRASS WATERWAY 

Photo provided by NRCS, Tim McCabe
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

• Compliant with USDA’s highly erodible land 

and wetland provisions

Practice Requirements

• Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, 

insects and pests shall be controlled 

• The practice will be maintained without 

additional cost-share payments

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 circumstances

• 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-8A

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• In prime habitat, a 4% increase in CRP vegetation is 

associated with a 22% increase in pheasant counts

• 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 NRCS Lynn Betts and Iowa Dept. of Agriculture-Div. of Soil Conservation, respectively