SUBCHAPTER 59F – CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) – STATE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM

SECTION .0100 - CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) -- STATE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM

02 NCAC 59F .0101          OBJECTIVES

(a)  The North Carolina Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a state/federal/local partnership that combines existing federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) funding and state funding from various sources, including the Agriculture Cost Share Program (ACSP), to take environmentally sensitive land out of crop production.  For purposes of this Rule the generic term "CREP" references either the federal portion or the combined federal and state portions of the program. The combined federal and state portion of CREP is referred to as NC-CREP.  Under CREP, landowners may voluntarily enroll eligible land in 10-year, 15-year, 30-year or permanent agreements or contracts.  The Commission operates the state portion of NC CREP program as the lead agency for the State of North Carolina (State), and may from time to time delegate activities to the Division.

(b)  The program objectives for the Commission, which are the same as those of the multi-agency CREP team, are the following: to reduce agricultural non-point source pollution; to enroll eligible land in 10-year, 15-year, 30-year or permanent easements or leases; to encourage voluntary sign-ups for the program; and to enhance ecological aspects and wildlife habitat of areas near watercourses.

(c)  The Division, or its agent, shall seek eligible applicants for enrollment into the program in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture's 2-CRP Manual.  Landowner payments shall be made in accordance with state and federal requirements, and shall be subject to the availability of funds.

(d)  The applicable standards, rules, regulations, and practices of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, the United States Department of Agriculture's 2-CRP Manual, the Division of Forest Resources, 15A NCAC 09C .0400 and the Ecosystem Enhancement Program, G.S. 143-214.8 are incorporated herein by reference, and such incorporation includes subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material.  Likewise, the provisions of the United States Department of Agriculture's 2-CRP Manual are incorporated herein by reference, and such incorporation includes subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material.  Copies of all of these materials are available at the offices of the Division, and the cost of any copies shall not exceed ten cents ($.10) per page.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106-840; 106-850(a); 139-4;

Temporary Adoption Eff. October 1, 2000;

Eff. August 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2006; July 1, 2004;

Transferred from 15A NCAC 06G .0101 Eff. May 1, 2012;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 19, 2015.