GFP Seeking Input on Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Proposal

PIERRE, SD — The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has identified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program as a powerful tool to meet goals to provide additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access.

Administered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, CREP is simply a “state-sponsored” Conservation Reserve Program designed for a specific geographic area that will address resource concerns identified by state partners. In South Dakota, the focus will be on creating additional pheasant nesting habitat.

A GFP Planning Team has identified the James River Watershed Basin as an appropriate geographic area that will provide significant wildlife benefits, soil erosion, water quality and flood reduction returns on the state’s investment. With an enrollment goal of 100,000 acres, the state of South Dakota is required to provide a financial commitment of no less than 20 percent of the total project cost.

“With large tracts of CRP expiring that serve as the foundation of our nesting habitat and as a significant component of GFP’s Walk-In Area Program, a CREP project is a great way to leverage federal dollars to establish and improve pheasant habitat associated with public hunting access in targeted areas and address water quality, soil erosion and flood-related issues,” said GFP Senior Upland Game Biologist Chad Switzer of Huron.

Using revenue generated from sportsmen through license sales, GFP is committed to providing the required financial match. “However, we are seeking partnerships from the communities and their respective chambers of commerce within the watershed. We also ask that conservation districts, local businesses, sportsmen groups, non-governmental organizations, landowners and others provide input and support for the project,” said
Assistant Wildlife Division Director George Vandel.

“By providing additional financial incentives to cooperating landowners, a successful CREP program would make conservation practices more competitive with cash rent and commodity prices and be attractive to landowners to address identified resource concerns,” said Vandel.

Through the completion of a formal application process and upon agreement between USDA and the state of South Dakota, a CREP sign-up could be available as early as 2009. GFP is currently seeking input and comments on this CREP proposal through April 30, 2008. A copy of the CREP proposal and the watershed boundary can be found at http://www.sdgfp.info by holding the cursor over “What’s New” on the home page. In addition, those interested will find an online comment form to provide input and support for the proposal.