Oglala Sioux Tribe 

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

and the Oglala Sioux Tribe are partners in 

implementing a voluntary Conservation 

Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to 

enroll up to 1 million acres of agricultural 

land within the boundaries of the Oglala 

Sioux Reservation in State of South 

Dakota. The Oglala Sioux Tribe CREP is 

intended 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 Oglala Sioux Tribe 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 Oglala Sioux Tribe CREP 

include:

• Enroll 1,000,000 acres to maintain, 

improve and protect grassland productivity 

through rotational grazing and water 

development(s).

• 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

October 2022 xx.fsa.usda.gov fsa.usda.gov
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 Oglala 

Sioux Tribe CREP is on a continuous basis. 

To be eligible, land must be owned by 

either the Oglala Sioux Tribe or a member 

of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and be located 

within the boundaries of the Oglala 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 Oglala Sioux Tribe CREP, 

eligible participants may receive the 

following payments: 

• An annual rental payment 

calculated using a $15 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.