FACT SHEET

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARM SERVICE AGENCY

Page 1

January 2011

Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index (EBI)

Overview

 USDA’s Farm Service Agency 

(FSA) will hold a Conservation 

Reserve Program (CRP) general 

sign-up from March 14 through 

April 15, 2011.

CRP is a voluntary program that 

helps agricultural producers use 

environmentally sensitive land for 

conservation benefits. Producers 

enrolled in CRP plant or maintain 

long-term, resource-conserving 

covers to control soil erosion, 

improve water and air quality and 

enhance wildlife habitat.

More information on sign-up 41 

is available in the FSA fact sheet 

“Conservation Reserve Program 

General Sign-up 41, March 14 

through April 15, 2011.”

Ranking CRP Offers

 FSA will rank offers for CRP 

sign-up 41 according to the 

Environmental Benefits Index 

(EBI). FSA collects data for each 

EBI factor based on the relative 

environmental benefits for the land 

offered. EBI rankings are unique 

for each tract of land offered into 

CRP.

FSA assigns each offer a point 

score based on the offer’s relative 

environmental factors. Each offer 

competes with all other offers. 

FSA determines offer acceptability 

based on the ranking results.

For sign-up 41, FSA will use the 

following EBI factors to assess the 

environmental benefits for the land 

offered:

• Wildlife habitat benefits 

resulting from covers on contract acreage (N1); 

• Water quality benefits from 

reduced erosion, runoff and 

leaching (N2); 

• On-farm benefits from reduced erosion (N3); 

• Benefits that will likely 

endure beyond the contract 

period (N4); 

• Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion (N5) and; 

• Cost (N6). 

N1 - Wildlife Factor Point score: 

0 to 100

Factor N1 is an evaluation of the 

expected wildlife benefits of the 

offer and is comprised of three 

subfactors (N1a-c). The formula 

for N1 = N1a + N1b + N1c.

•	 N1a - Wildlife Habitat 

Cover Benefits (0 to 50

points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the wildlife habitat cover offered. 

FSA assigns points for cover practice planting mixtures based on the 

potential value to wildlife within 

each state. FSA awards higher 

scores for cover types that are 

more beneficial to wildlife. Local 

USDA Service Centers have a list 

of approved planting mixes and 

the assigned point scores for each 

cover mix. Point scores are based 

on the weighted average score for 

cover mixes the producer selects. 

Native mixes of diverse species 

generally receive the highest point 

scores. Eligible cover practices 

under the N1a criteria are in Table 

1.

 (Producers should note that 

wildlife habitat cover selection is 

the most critical factor impacting 

wildlife benefits. Optimum cover 

types significantly increase the 

point score for this factor).

•	 N1b - Wildlife Enhancement 

(0, 5, or 20 points)

This subfactor provides up to 20 

points for actions producers take 

to enhance the wildlife benefits for 

the offered acreage. Enhancement 

to the acreage is necessary in order 

to receive the points. For example, 

to receive 20 points producers 

may offer to establish a minimum 

of 10 percent of the acreage offered to pollinator habitat. Eligible 

practices under the N1b criteria 

are provided in Table 2.

•	 N1c - Wildlife Priority 

Zones (0 or 30 points)

FSA consulted with farm, commodity, wildlife and environmental groups to develop high-priority 

wildlife areas that would benefit 

from being enrolled in CRP. For 

land located within this defined 

geographic area, points are 

awarded for planting cover mixes 

to benefit wildlife species. This 

subfactor provides 30 points if 

at least 51 percent of the offered 

acreage is located within the wildlife priority zone and the weighted 

average N1a score is greater than 

or equal to 40 points.

N2 - Water Quality Benefits

from Reduced Erosion, Runoff

and Leaching Point Score: 0 to 

100

One of CRP’s main goals is to 

reduce the amount of sediment, 

nutrients and pollutants that enter 

our nation’s waterways. Factor 

N2 is an evaluation of the potential impacts that CRP may have 

on both surface and groundwater 

quality. N2 is comprised of three 

subfactors (N2a-c). The formula 
FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

for N2 = N2a + N2b + N2c.

•	 N2a - Location (0 or 30

points) 

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the benefits of improving ground 

or surface water quality impaired 

by crop production. States have 

identified water quality zones for 

protection. At least 51 percent of 

the acreage offered must be within 

an approved water quality zone 

to receive 30 points. Local USDA 

Service Centers have detailed 

maps of the approved water quality zones.

•	 N2b - Groundwater quality

(0 to 25 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation of 

the predominant soils, the potential leaching of pesticides and 

nutrients into groundwater, and 

the impact to people who rely on 

groundwater as a primary source 

of drinking water. Point scores are 

based on the weighted average 

leach index for soils offered for 

enrollment and the population that 

utilizes groundwater for drinking.

•	 N2c - Surface water quality

(0 to 45 points)

This subfactor is an evaluation 

of the amount of sediment that 

may be delivered into streams or 

other water courses and the human 

population that may be affected. 

This factor is determined by 

potential water erosion, distance 

to the water and the watershed in 

which the offer is located.

N3 - Erosion Factor Point score:

0 to 100

CRP helps maintain the long-term 

productivity of the land for future 

generations. Factor N3 is an evaluation of the potential for the land 

to erode as the result of either 

wind or water erosion. This factor 

is measured using an Erodibility 

Index (EI). FSA awards points for 

the weighted average of the higher 

value of either the wind or water 

EI, based on the results from Table 

3.

N4 - Enduring Benefits Factor

Point Score: 0 to 50

Factor N4 is an evaluation of the 

likelihood for certain practices 

to remain in place beyond the 

CRP contract period. N4 values 

are determined by calculating the 

weighted average score for all 

practices in Table 4.

N5 - Air Quality Benefits From

Reduced Wind Erosion Point

Score: 0 to 45 points

 Factor N5 is an evaluation of the 

air quality improvements by reducing airborne dust and particulate caused by wind erosion from 

cropland. In addition, this factor 

has points for the value of CRP 

land that provides carbon sequestration. This factor is comprised 

of four subfactors (N5a-d). The 

formula for N5 = N5a + N5b + 

N5c +N5d.

•	 N5a - Wind Erosion Impacts

(0 to 25 points)

FSA will determine the potential 

for the site to have wind erosion 

damage. FSA will award points 

based on potential wind erosion 

and the amount of population that 

may be impacted by the erosion. 

The potential wind erodibility is 

based on a climatic factor (wind 

speed, wind direction and duration 

of wind events) and soil erodibility.

•	 N5b - Wind Erosion Soils

List (0 or 5 points)

A list of soils that are susceptible 

to wind and contribute significantly to nonattainment of air quality 

standards has been developed. 

These soils have a dominant component of volcanic or organic materials that are highly erodible and 

can be transported great distances 

on the wind. If at least 51 percent 

of the offered acres are comprised 

of these soils, the offer is awarded 

five points.

•	 N5c - Air Quality Zones (0

or 5 points)

FSA awards a maximum of five 

points if at least 51 percent of the 

acreage offered is located in an 

air quality zone that contributes to 

nonattainment of air quality standards and the calculated weighted 

wind EI is equal to or greater than 

three.

•	 N5d - Carbon Sequestration

(3 to 10 points)

The subfactor is an evaluation of 

the benefits of sequestering greenhouse gases by practice over the 

expected life of the practice. FSA 

awards points based on a weighted 

average of carbon sequestration 

benefits for all practices using the 

value in Table 5.

N6 - Cost

 Factor N6 is an evaluation of the 

cost of environmental benefits per 

dollar expended. This factor assists in optimizing environmental 

benefits per dollar for CRP rental 

payments. Factor N6 is comprised 

of two subfactors (N6a and N6b). 

The formula for N6 = N6a + N6b.

•	 N6a - Cost (point value

determined after end of 

sign-up based on actual offer data) 

 Offers with lower per acre rental 

rates may increase chances of being accepted.

•	 N6b - Offer Less Than 

Maximum Payment Rate (0

to 25 points)

 Offers equal to the maximum 

payment rate will receive 0 points. 

Offers below the maximum payment rate will receive points acPage 2
cording to the value in Table 6. 

EBI Threshold for Acceptance

After sign-up 41 ends on April 15, 

2011, FSA will analyze and rank 

all eligible offers. The Secretary will then determine the EBI 

threshold used to accept offers. 

Because CRP is a highly competitive program, producers who 

would have met previous sign-up 

EBI cutoffs are not guaranteed an 

offer acceptance under sign-up 41.

Making CRP Offers More 

Competitive

While the United States has over 

360 million acres of cropland, the 

maximum CRP enrollment authority is 32 million acres. As such, 

the demand to enroll land in CRP 

is expected to be greater than the 

amount that FSA can accept.

To make offers more competitive, 

producers should consider the following:

• The single most important 

producer decision involves 

determining which cover practice to apply to the acreage 

offered. Planting or establishing the highest scoring cover 

mixture is the best way to 

improve the chances of offer 

acceptance. 

• Producers should only offer 

the most environmentally sensitive land. Where possible, 

subdividing fields to include 

only the most sensitive acreage can substantially increase 

the point score for erosion 

and improve the water quality 

score and/or air quality score. 

Producers should consider 

enhancing covers for the benefit of wildlife by developing 

permanent water sources or 

establishing pollinator habitat. 

In addition, producers may 

plant and manage hardwood 

or softwood trees that increase 

wildlife habitat values or 

restore certain rare and declining habitats to increase the 

EBI score in subfactors N1a 

and N4. 

• Producers should consider accepting a lower payment rate 

than the maximum amount 

FSA is willing to offer. 

FSA also encourages producers to 

consult with local USDA experts 

on steps to take to maximize EBI 

points and increase the likelihood 

that an offer will be accepted.

For More Information

For more information on CRP,

contact your local FSA office or 

visit FSA’s CRP website at http://

www.fsa.usda.gov/crp

 

 

 

 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

prohibits discrimination in all of its programs 

and activities on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 

political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all of part of an individual’s 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all bases apply to all 

programs.) Persons with disabilities who 

require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s 

TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 

and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to 

USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or 

call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or 

(800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 

(English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 

(Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer.

FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

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FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

Table 1 – Cover	Practices	(CP)	for	the	N1a	Criteria

Point 

Score

CP1 – Permanent	introduced	grasses	and	legumes

Existing stand one to three species or planting new stand of two to three species of an 

introduced grass species

10

Existing stand or planting mixture (minimum of four species) of at least 3 introduced 

grasses and at least one forb or legume species best suited for wildlife in the area.

40

CP2	– Establishment of new permanent	native	grasses	and	legumes

Existing stand (minimum of one to three species) or planting mixed stand (minimum of 

three species) of at least two native grass species and at least one forb or legume 

species beneficial to wildlife.

20

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of five species) of at least 3 native 

grasses and at least one shrub, forb, or legume species best suited for wildlife in the 

area.

50

CP3	– Tree	planting	(general)	2/

Southern pines (softwoods) – Solid stand of pines/softwoods (existing, according to 

state developed standards, or planted at more than 550 trees per acre).

10

Northern conifers (softwoods) – Solid stand of conifers/softwoods (existing, according 

to state developed standards, or planted at more than 850 trees per acre).

10

Western pines (softwoods) – Solid stand of pines/softwoods (existing, according to 

state developed standards, or planted at more than 650 trees per acre).

10

Southern pines (softwoods) – Pines/softwoods existing or planted at a rate of 500 to 

550 per acre depending upon the site index (state-developed standards) with 10 to 20 

percent openings managed to a CP4D wildlife cover.

50

Northern conifers (softwoods) – Conifers/softwoods existing or planted at a rate of 750 

to 850 trees per acre depending upon the site index (state-developed standards) with 10 

to 20 percent openings managed to a CP4D wildlife cover.

50

Western pines (softwoods) – Pines/softwoods existing or planted at a rate of 550 to 650 

per acre depending upon the site index (state-developed standards) with 10 to 20 

percent openings managed to a CP4D wildlife cover.

50

CP3A	– Hardwood tree planting

Existing or planting solid stand of nonmast producing hardwood species. 10

Existing or planting solid stand of a single hard mast producing species. 20

Existing or planting mixed stand of two hardwood species best suited for wildlife in 

the area.

30

Existing or planting mixed stand (three or more species) of hardwood species best 

suited for wildlife in the area.

50

Existing or planting stand of Longleaf pine or Atlantic white cedar - Planted at rates 

appropriate for the site index.

50

CP4B	- Permanent	wildlife	habitat	(corridors),	noneasement.

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of four species) of either grasses, 

trees, shrubs, forbs, or legumes planted in mixes, blocks, or strips best suited for 

various wildlife species in the area. A wildlife conservation plan must be developed 

with the participant.

40

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of five species) of either 

predominantly native species including grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs, or trees planted 

in mixes, blocks, or strips best suited to providing wildlife habitat. Only native grasses 

are authorized. Introduced grasses are not authorized for and cannot be included in 

cover mixes for 50-point N1a scores for CP4B. A wildlife conservation plan must be 

developed with the participant.

50

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FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

Page 5

Table 1 – Cover	Practices	(CP)	for	the	N1a	Criteria

Point 

Score

CP4D	- Permanent	wildlife	habitat,	noneasement

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of four species) of either 

grasses, trees, shrubs, forbs, or legumes planted in mixes, blocks, or strips best 

suited for various wildlife species in the area. A wildlife conservation plan 

must be developed with the participant.

40

Existing stand or planting mixed stand (minimum of five species) of either 

predominantly native species including grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs, or trees 

planted in mixes, blocks, or strips best suited to providing wildlife habitat. 

Only native grasses are authorized. Introduced grasses are not authorized for 

and cannot be included in cover mixes for 50-point N1a scores for CP4D. A 

wildlife conservation plan must be developed with the participant.

50

CP12	–Wildlife food plot 3/

Wildlife food plots are small non-cost-shared plantings in a larger area. 

Wildlife food plots will never be the predominant cover.

NA

CP25	–Rare and declining habitat restoration 4/

Existing stand or seeding or planting will be best suited for wildlife in the area. 

Plant species selections will be based upon Ecological Site Description data.

50

CP42	– Pollinator Habitat

Existing stand or planting of a diverse mix of multiple species suited for 

pollinators.

50

Footnotes:

1/ Cover that is existing or will be established must accomplish the purpose of the practice.

2/ State Conservationist may revise the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) on planting rate to 

be consistent with CRP. The opening for southern and western pines must be a minimum of two 

acres up to a maximum of five acres in size for fields of 20 acres and larger. For smaller fields, 

the size is based on a percentage. Opening in northern conifers will be one-half to two acres in 

size. The opening may include buffers on the interior of the field. Field edges (borders) may be 

used if they are irregular in shape and average 30 feet in width. Natural regeneration of native 

herbaceous or shrubby vegetation with required maintenance may be permitted within open areas 

if it is consistent with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) technical 

standards and the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, and has concurrence from state fish 

and wildlife service (FWS) or U.S. FWS officials. Open areas of native grasses and/or shrub 

planting best suited for wildlife in the area is considered CP3 for EBI scoring and contract 

purposes.

3/ CP12 acreage is not included in the weighted average point score. For example, a 50-acre offer 

with 45 acres planted to CP25 and five acres planted to a wildlife food plot would calculate a 

weighted average using only the 45 acres of the CP25 planting. This calculates as follows: 45

acres x 50 points (CP 25 EBI score) = 2,250 points. 2,250 points / 45 acres = 50 points.

4/ Technical practice standards for the selected habitat type must meet applicable standards and 

be approved by FSA at least 30 calendar days before the beginning of sign-up.
FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

Page 6

Table	2	- Practices for the N1b Criteria

Practice Point Score

Conversion of at least 51 percent of a primarily monoculture stand to a mixture of native 

species that provides wildlife benefits.

20

Establishment of pollinator habitat (CP42) that remains in the location of the CRP-1. The 

habitat size, shape, and composition must meet the following requirements:

Size

CRP Parcel Habitat	Size	Requirement

Less than 10 acres At least one acre of pollinator habitat. 

Habitat areas must be at least 0.5 acre.

10 acres or greater At least 10 percent of the parcel in 

pollinator habitat. Habitat areas must 

be at least 0.5 acre.

20

Annual or permanent food plot (CP12) that remains in the same location for the contract 

length, or rotated food plot (CP12) for which the location on the contract is moved during 

the contract length consistent with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide up to 10 percent 

of a field, not to exceed 5 acres per field. 

5

Table	3	- Erodibility	Index	Points	1/

EI Points EI Points EI Points

4 1 10 22 16 79

5 2 11 29 17 92

6 4 12 37 18 97

7 7 13 46 19 98

8 11 14 56 20 99

9 16 15 67 21+ 100

1/ EI of less than 4 = 0 points

Table	4	- Practices	for	the	N4	Criteria

Practice Point Score

New hardwood tree, longleaf pine, and/or Atlantic white cedar plantings (CP3A) and CP25 

(Rare and declining habitat restoration) if the plant community is existing or will be 

established to primarily trees.

50

Existing or enhanced stand of hardwood tree, longleaf pine, and/or Atlantic white cedar 

plantings (CP3A).

40

New pine/softwood tree (CP3). 30

Rare and declining habitat restoration (CP25) where the plant community is existing or will 

be established to a primarily grass and/or shrub complex, or CP42.

25

Existing pine/softwood tree - original contract signed as CP3. 20

CP1, CP2, CP4B, CP4D. 0
FACT SHEET

CRP Sign-Up 41 Environmental Benefits Index January 2011

Table	5	- N5d	Air	Quality

Practice Point Score

CP3 (Tree planting - general), CP3A (Hardwood tree planting), and CP25 

(Rare and declining habitat restoration) planted to trees.

10

CP25 (Rare and declining habitat restoration) planted to grass/shrub 

complexes, and CP42 (Pollinator Habitat).

5

CP4B (Permanent wildlife habitat (corridors), noneasement) and CP4D 

(Permanent wildlife habitat, noneasement).

4

CP1 (Permanent introduced grasses and legumes) and CP2 (Establishment 

of permanent native grasses).

3

CP12 (Wildlife food plot). 0

Table 6 – N6b	Offer	Less	Than	Maximum	Payment	Rate

Percent Below 

Maximum	Payment Rate N6b Points

1 2

2 4

3 6

4 8

5 10

6 12

7 14

8 16

9 18

10 20

11 21

12 22

13 23

14 24

>=15 25

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