Cheyenne River Sioux 

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe are 

partners in implementing a voluntary 

Conservation Reserve Enhancement 

Program (CREP) to enroll up to 1.5 million 

acres of agricultural land within the 

boundaries of the Cheyenne River Sioux 

Reservation in the State of South Dakota. 

The purpose of the CREP is to maintain and 

improve grassland productivity, reduce soil 

erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. 

Background

CREP is part of the USDA Conservation 

Reserve Program (CRP). This project is 

modeled after the Grasslands CRP, a 

working lands program, which protects 

grassland while maintaining the areas as 

grazing lands. The program emphasizes 

support for grazing operations, plant 

and animal biodiversity, and eligible 

land containing shrubs and forbs under 

the greatest threat of conversion. CRP 

participants maintain permanent, resourceconserving plant species, such as approved 

grasses or forbs (known as “covers”) to 

control soil erosion, improve water quality 

and develop wildlife habitat. In return, 

the Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides 

participants with rental payments and costshare assistance.

With CREP, high-priority conservation 

goals are identified by the state, and then 

federal funds are supplemented with nonfederal funds to achieve those goals.

Through the Cheyenne River Sioux CREP, 

federal and tribal resources are made 

available to program participants to 

voluntarily enroll in CRP for 10- to 15-year 

contracts. 

Goals

The goals of the Cheyenne River Sioux 

CREP include:

• Enroll 1,500,000 acres to maintain,

improve and protect grassland productivity

through rotational grazing and water

development(s).

• Increase grassland productivity through

the use of sustainable grazing practices.

• Reduce erosion in riparian areas along

water bodies through rotational grazing

and cover enhancement.

Eligible Conservation 

Practices

CP88, Permanent Grasses and Legumes, is 

the only practice authorized for this CREP.

For More 

Information

This fact sheet is provided 

for informational purposes 

only; other restrictions 

or requirements may 

apply. Consult your local 

FSA office for details. For 

more information, contact 

your local service center 

and USDA Farm Service 

Agency office: farmers.

gov/service-locator. 

Address & Phone Number

South Dakota State FSA

200 Fourth St. SW

Room 308

Huron, SD 57350 

Phone: (605) 352-1160

Fax: (855) 243-6003

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Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. xx.fsa.usda.gov fsa.usda.gov

Enrollment and 

Eligibility Requirements

Enrollment in CRP through the Cheyenne 

River Sioux Tribe CREP is on a continuous 

basis. To be eligible, land must be owned 

by either the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

or a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux 

Tribe and be located within the boundaries 

of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation 

in South Dakota. Eligible land must:

• Contain forbs or pasture upon

which grazing is the predominant 

use

• Is located in an area historically

dominated by grassland

• Provide habitat for animal and

plant populations of significant

ecological value

• Not be forest or woodland, or

grassland with more than 5

percent tree canopy.

Participants are required to maintain 

and complete any maintenance/

enhancements needed on land 

enrolled in CRP through this CREP. 

This includes any seeding of grasses 

or legumes along with applying 

applicable fertilizer and chemical 

applications. All activities are subject 

to a Conservation Plan.

Payments

Under the Cheyenne River Sioux 

CREP, eligible participants may 

receive the following payments: 

• An annual rental payment

calculated using a $13 per acre

rental rate for all enrolled land.

• A cost-share payment of up

to 50 percent of the eligible

reimbursable costs incurred for

establishing permanent internal

fencing and livestock watering

facilities needed to facilitate

livestock distribution.

Enrollment Options

CREP is another option under CRP 

that farmers and ranchers may 

select to enhance their land. Eligible 

producers may still enroll land in CRP 

through general or continuous signup.

Haying and Grazing

Participants may hay and graze the 

existing permanent cover while 

receiving an annual rental payment. All 

activities are subject to a Conservation 

Plan, with certain restrictions for 

haying during primary nesting season.