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

The Farmable Wetland Program (FWP) constructed wetlands remove nitrogen from agricultural drainage runoff 

improving water quality while creating wildlife habitat. 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.

Farm Service Agency USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Financial Benefits

CP-39 participants are guaranteed:

• 10-15 years of annual rental payments with an 

additional 20% Rental Rate Incentive

• Payments covering up to 90% of the eligible costs of 

establishing the wetland restoration 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 

Improve Water Quality | Enhance Wildlife Habitat | Sequester Carbon

Conservation Reserve Program

CP-39

FARMABLE WETLANDS PROGRAM, CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

Photo provided by NRCS, Tim McCabe

Why Constructed Wetlands?

Wetlands are an efficient way to remove nutrients 

and pesticides from cropland runoff. They reduce 

sediment loading and downstream flooding, resulting 

in improved water quality. Restoring wetland 

functions also enhance vital habitat for wildlife, 

especially ducks and other waterfowl, upland game 

birds and songbirds. Offered in continuous signup, CP-39:

• Removes large amounts of nitrogen from 

agricultural drainage water

• Provides vital habitat for waterfowl, grassland 

birds, and other wetland species

• Sequesters carbon
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

• Receives flow from a row crop agricultural 

drainage system

Practice Requirements

• At least 25% of the offered land’s upstream 

watershed must be row cropped 

• The size of the wetland plus associated buffer 

cannot exceed 40 acres

• The maximum size of the associated buffer 

cannot exceed 4 times the size of the wetland

• Noxious weeds and other undesirable plants, 

insects, and pests shall be controlled

• Practices shall be maintained without 

additional cost-share payments

• Design provides nitrogen removal and other 

wetland functions

Obligations

Participants will:

• Not harvest or graze the practice area

• Work with USDA-approved conservationist to 

develop a conservation plan

• Perform periodic management activities according 

to the conservation plan

• Complete construction of the practice within 12 

months of the effective date of the contract

 CP-39

For More Information:

Contact your local USDA, Farm Service Agency:

http://offices.usda.gov

Proven Conservation Benefits

• Constructed wetlands in Iowa have been shown to 

remove an average of over 5 tons of nitrate per year

• CRP contributes to an estimated net increase of 1.5 

million ducks per year

• 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 Iowa Dept. of Agriculture - Div of Soil Conservation

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