The characteristics of land in the reserve will be largely determined by application of an environmental benefits index to compare the benefits of bids. This index will decide the future shape of the program in the 15th signup, to be held during March 1997, as contracts on about 22 million acres will end September 30, 1997. The Department has assigned point totals to each of these categories. Excluding cost, a total of 400 points is theoretically possible, with up to 100 points for wildlife habitat, water quality and soil erosion, up to 50 points for benefits beyond the contract period, and up to 25 points for air quality benefits and enrolling land in priority areas. Costs do not have a points scale, although lower costs and higher benefits will receive a higher rating, and 10 points will be credited for sites that do not need cost-sharing assistance to meet the CRP contract requirements.
States also have the option of developing their own ranking process to address particular concerns.
Four states, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oregon, chose this alternative for the 13th signup. States choosing this option would determine which bids to accept based on the ranking and the allocation to the state. The 1996 farm bill requires that rental rates be limited to local market values. FSA has prepared state maps that show the maximum acceptable county rates. These rates can be adjusted for site-specific productivity factors.