North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 02 - AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES › Chapter 59 - SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION › Subchapter F - CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) STATE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM › Section .0100 - CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) -STATE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM › Section 59F .0103 - CONSERVATION PLAN

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
(a) A conservation
				  plan is required for all CREP Enrollments. The conservation plan is a record of
				  the applicant's decisions and supporting information for the treatment of a
				  unit of land or water as a result of the planning process that meets the NRCS
				  Field Office Technical Guide quality criteria for each natural resource and
				  that addresses economic and social considerations. The plan shall describe the
				  schedule of operations and activities required to solve identified natural
				  resource concerns. Conservation plans shall be prepared according to all
				  applicable federal, state and local environmental laws, executive orders, and
				  rules. The conservation plan shall be consistent with any conservation easement
				  protecting the enrollment area. This applies regardless of eligibility for
				  cost-share funds. Participants shall also agree to establish and maintain
				  approved practices according to the conservation plan of operations and forest
				  management plans, for the duration of the agreement. Practices included in the
				  conservation plan must cost-effectively achieve a reduction in soil erosion and
				  nutrient transport. All forestry management practices must be completed
				  according to a forestry management plan approved by a registered forester. The
				  Division and the Commission may review conservation plans at any time while
				  CREP agreements are effective.
(b)
				  All CREP Enrollments must provide interception of water from the crop or
				  pasture land into the enrollment area. All CREP Enrollments must maintain a
				  contiguous buffer with the water course. Enrollments of wetland restoration
				  areas shall be accepted only if enrollments shall be in trees, in those areas
				  where trees would be the natural cover. The riparian forested buffer or wetland
				  practice may include an outer buffer layer of native grasses between cropped
				  areas and the trees, as specified in the practice criteria.
Hydrologic restoration to the greatest extent practicable
					 shall occur on all NC-CREP Enrollments. Hydrologic restoration to the greatest
					 extent practicable means to improve/increase hydrology and to retain water to
					 the maximum extent as long as there are no adverse impacts to non-enrolled
					 lands. This may be accomplished through the following means: creating sheet
					 flow; reducing concentrated flow areas; blocking or filling artificial
					 drainage; or using water control structures in conjunction with buffers. All
					 shall meet or exceed appropriate NRCS standards. Water infiltration and
					 retention shall be maximized on non-hydric soils by creating sheet flow and by
					 reducing concentrated flow areas. Plans shall provide for improved wildlife
					 habitat. The establishment of CREP practices shall be:
(1) consistent with conservation compliance
				  provisions;
(2) at the
				  participant's own expense;
(3)
				  included in the approved conservation plan;
(4) approved by the local District;
				  and
(5) subject to FSA and Division
				  approval where applicable.