The program requires that farmers cease production of agricultural commodities on enrolled land and to establish the land to conserving covers of grass, trees or shallow water. These conserving uses have the potential to be good for various needs, including wildlife. However, there are three important exceptions to the prohibition of commercial uses on CRP land. First, the statute allows haying and grazing during drought or other emergencies as defined by the Administration. Finally, participants are permitted to allow fee hunting.
Lets examine what some of the problems are for wildlife, especially in the southeast.
The manner in which haying and grazing has been administered has occasionally been scandalous. We would have less of a problem if the haying and grazing provisions were administered honestly and fairly. Yet, it seems that if one county has a real drought problem and is eligible for an honest exception, this exception is then given to the next county and the next, then the entire state, then several states. Greed set in and politics runs amuck, allowing misuse of the program. Many CRP benefits are lost and recipients are allowed to keep their payments.