The USDA has issued a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the current Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in New Jersey.  The proposed action is required to implement an update to the NJ CREP agreement with the objective to expand the program to up to 30,000 acres of permanent vegetative cover to address nonpoint source pollution, preserve open space, and promote on-farm conservation.  The proposal would also add new eligible practices including FSA’s Hardwood Tree Planting, Establishment of Salt Tolerant Vegetative Cover and Field Windbreak Establishment to the current practices: Grass Waterways, Permanent Vegetative Cover (Contour Grass Strips), Filter Strips, and Riparian Buffers.   Farmers who participate receive cost share funding to implement approved conservation practices plus an annual rental fee.

There is a 30 day comment period on the draft environmental assessment, closing on August 9.  A copy of the proposal can be found by clicking here.

Comments can be sent to Sarah Lally at the Farm Service Agency at Sarah.Lally@usda.gov