Conservation Reserve Program (CRP):
Status and Issues
Megan Stubbs
Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural Resources Policy
April 14, 2014
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R42783

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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Status and Issues

Summary
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides payments to agricultural producers to take
highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land out of production and install resource
conserving practices for 10 or more years. CRP was first authorized in the Food Security Act of
1985 (P.L. 99-198, 1985 farm bill) and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) with technical support from other USDA agencies.
Participants offer land for enrollment through two types of sign-up: general and continuous.
General sign-ups are competitive and only open during select times. Continuous sign-ups are not
competitive, always open for enrollment, and offer additional financial incentives to those who
qualify. Continuous sign-ups are targeted to specific environmental and resource concerns and
operate through a number of initiatives. The largest and most well-known is the Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which partners with states to address agricultural-related
environmental concerns in specific geographic regions. While the majority of current acres
enrolled were under general sign-ups (19.8 million acres), an increasing number are enrolled
under continuous sign-ups (5.8 million acres).
The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 farm bill, P.L. 113-79) reauthorized CRP and reduced the
enrollment cap from 32 million acres to 24 million acres by FY2018. The 2014 farm bill made
several changes centered on permitted activities. Emergency harvesting, grazing, and other use of
forage are permitted, in some cases, without a reduction in rental rate, as well as livestock grazing
for a beginning farmer or rancher. Other approved activities, such as annual or routine grazing,
may continue to require a reduction in rental rate. The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was
repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Grassland contracts, similar to what was repealed under GRP, are
now eligible under CRP. The 2014 farm bill also allows CRP participants the opportunity to
terminate their contract early if the land has been enrolled longer than five years and it does not
contain environmentally sensitive practices.
A number of factors have impacted CRP enrollment recently, mainly high commodity crop prices.
These strong prices have encouraged farmers to put CRP acres, even marginal acres, back into
production. This pressure could potentially reduce the number of CRP acres offered for
reenrollment once they have expired or cause existing current CRP participants to seek an early
release from their CRP contract. Some participants also have cited a potentially low CRP rental
rate compared to the market rental rate as a reason for decreased enrollment interest. Despite
these factors, enrollment has increased under continuous sign-ups and demand for the program, in
general, still exceeds the current enrollment level.
CRP has contributed to a number of environmental benefits including reduced soil erosion,
improved water quality through wetlands and field buffers, reduced fertilizer use, and increased
wildlife habitat. The recent expiration of a number of acres from the program, and a reduced
reenrollment, has some concerned that a number of the environmental benefits gained under CRP
could be lost or reduced if land is returned to production.

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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Status and Issues

Contents
How CRP Works .............................................................................................................................. 1
Enrollment ................................................................................................................................. 1
General Sign-Up .................................................................................................................. 1
Continuous Sign-Up ............................................................................................................ 2
Eligibility ................................................................................................................................... 3
Producer/Landowner ........................................................................................................... 3
Land ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Payments.................................................................................................................................... 4
Practices ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Current Issues .................................................................................................................................. 5
Farm Bill Reauthorization ......................................................................................................... 5
Harvesting and Grazing ............................................................................................................. 6
Enrollment ................................................................................................................................. 8
Expiration and Reenrollment .............................................................................................. 8
Contract Termination and Early Release ............................................................................. 9
Rental Rates ...................................................................................................................... 10
Increases in Enrollment ..................................................................................................... 12
Environmental Benefits ........................................................................................................... 12
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Figures
Figure 1. Primary Nesting Season Dates and Duration: Limitation on CRP Harvesting and
Grazing Activities ......................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2. Cumulative CRP Enrollment ............................................................................................ 8
Figure 3. CRP Enrollment ................................................................................................................ 8
Figure 4. CRP Acres Not Reenrolled and Lost Through Attrition, FY2007-FY2014...................... 9
Figure 5. Change in CRP Enrollment Between September and October 2012 ................................ 9

Tables
Table 1. CRP Payments .................................................................................................................... 4
Table 2. Top Five Conservation Practices Installed on CRP Acres ................................................. 5
Table 3. Top Ten Expiring CRP Conservation Practices ................................................................ 13
Table A-1. CRP Initiatives ............................................................................................................. 15
Table B-1. CRP Amendments in the 2014 Farm Bill Compared to Prior Law .............................. 16

Appendixes
Appendix A. Continuous Sign-Up Initiatives ................................................................................ 14
Appendix B. CRP Provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill ..................................................................... 16
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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Status and Issues


Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 19

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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Status and Issues

he Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the largest federal, private-land retirement
program in the United States. The program provides financial compensation for
Tlandowners to voluntarily remove land from agricultural production for an extended period
(typically 10 to 15 years) for the benefit of soil and water quality improvement and wildlife
habitat.
The program was first authorized in the Food Security Act of 1985 (1985 farm bill, P.L. 99-198),
initially as both a supply management tool for removing land from agricultural production, thus
lowering commodity supply and potentially raising prices, and for providing environmental
benefits. Currently, close to 25.6 million acres are enrolled in the program with total funding of
approximately $2 billion annually.
Acres enrolled in CRP have shown a number of positive environmental benefits including
reduced soil erosion; water quality improvements through vegetative cover, buffer strips, and
reduced fertilizer application; and wildlife population improvement from increased habitat. While
a number of natural resource improvements are attributed to the program, the program contains a
number of controversial elements as well, including the economic and environmental effect of
permitted activities, such as haying and grazing on CRP acres and the reduction of enrolled acres
due to high crop prices and farm bill reauthorization. Program and funding authority for CRP was
reauthorized and extended through FY2018 by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 farm bill, P.L.
113-79).
How CRP Works
The program is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA), with technical support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) and other USDA agencies.
Enrollment
Enrollment is limited to no more than 27.5 million acres at any given time in FY2014.1 There are
two main types of enrollment into CRP: general sign-up and continuous sign-up. Several
continuous sign-up “initiatives” focus enrollment on specific resource concerns or conservation
practices.
General Sign-Up
CRP is a competitive program, in which landowners offer eligible land for enrollment into the
program. A general sign-up is a specific period of time during which FSA accepts these offers.
Offers are ranked according to an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI, see text box) to determine
the relative environmental benefits for the land offered.

1 Amendments in the 2014 farm bill reduces the enrollment cap to 26 million in FY2015, 25 million in FY2016, and 24
million in FY2017 and FY2018.
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For each general sign-up, FSA collects data on each of the EBI factors and ranks all eligible
offers across the country. After the sign-up ends, USDA determines an EBI threshold. Acceptance
for enrollment into CRP is extended to offers
that scored above the EBI threshold. This
Environmental Benefit Index (EBI)
threshold varies by sign-up depending on the
Following the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624), CRP was
offers received. Producers generally try to
required to consider the environmental benefits of the
maximize EBI points and increase the
land offered for enrol ment. The formulation of the EBI
likelihood that their offer will be accepted for
has changed over time, including becoming more
transparent to participants. Generally, the EBI is a
enrollment.
standardized way to compare different land types with
different resource needs across the country. The EBI is
As of December 2013, 19.8 million acres were
designed to compare the benefits that offered land can
enrolled in CRP under general sign-up
provide.
contracts, or 77% of total CRP acres. This
Presently, FSA col ects data for each of the EBI factors
includes 263,043 contracts on 178,200 farms.3
for the land offered. These factors are weighted and
During the most recent general sign-up (#45),
scored based on the land’s potential to generate the
desired environmental benefits. Some factors are made
USDA accepted 1.68 million acres offered for
up of sub-factors (listed in parentheses). The most recent
enrollment starting October 1, 2013.
general sign-up (#45) included the fol owing factors and
weights:2
Continuous Sign-Up
•
Wildlife Factor evaluates the expected wildlife
benefits of the offer (wildlife habitat cover benefits,
Continuous sign-up is designed to enroll the
wildlife enhancement, and wildlife priority zones):
most environmentally desirable land into CRP
10-100 points
through specific conservation practices or
•
Water Quality Benefits Factor evaluates the
resource needs. Unlike the general sign-up
potential impact that the offer may have on both
process, land offered under continuous sign-up
ground and surface water quality (location, ground
water quality, and surface water quality): 0-100
may be enrolled at any time and is not subject
points
to competitive bidding. If offers meet certain
eligibility requirements then they are
•
Erosion Factor evaluates the potential for the land
to erode from wind or water and is measured using
automatically accepted. Contracts are effective
an erodibility index: 0-100 points
the first day of the month following the month
of approval and typically include additional
•
Enduring Benefits Factor evaluates the
likelihood for certain practices to remain in place
financial incentives.
beyond the CRP contract period (weighted average
for all practices): 0-50 points
Continuous sign-up includes a number of
initiatives that target acres with specific
•
Air Quality Benefits Factor evaluates the air
resource concerns or support additional
quality improvements made by reduced particulate
matter and increased carbon sequestration (wind
conservation practices. These are described in
erosion impacts, wind erosion soils list, air quality
Appendix A. As of December 2013, 5.8
zones, and carbon sequestered): 3-45 points
million acres were enrolled in CRP under
•
Cost of environmental benefits per dol ar expended
continuous sign-up, or 23% of total CRP
(cost of the offer and how much the offer is below
acres. This includes 1.6 million enrolled
the maximum payment rate): 0-25 points.
through the two statutorily created sub-

2 USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Up 45 Environmental Benefits Index (EBI), Fact Sheet, February
2013, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/su45ebifactsheet.pdf.
3 USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program, Monthly Summary, August 2013.
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programs––the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP, 1.3 million acres) and
Farmable Wetland Program (FWP, 340,974 acres).4 The remaining 4.2 million acres were enrolled
in other continuous sign-up initiatives.
Eligibility
Producer/Landowner
To be eligible for CRP enrollment, a producer must be an owner, operator, or tenant of the land
for at least 12 months prior to the close of the CRP sign-up period, and show control of the land
for the duration of the contract. The land may be eligible if owned for less than 12 months and if
(1) the land was acquired due to the previous owner’s death; (2) the ownership change occurred
due to foreclosure where the owner exercised a timely right of redemption in accordance with
state law; or (3) adequate assurances are made that the new owner did not acquire the land for the
purpose of placing it in CRP.5
Land
For land to be eligible for CRP, USDA may consider the following land types for enrollment:6
• highly erodible cropland that (1) if untreated could substantially reduce the land’s
future agricultural production capability or (2) cannot be farmed in accordance
with a conservation plan;7 and has a cropping history or was considered to be
planted for four of the six years preceding February 7, 2014 (except for land
previously enrolled in CRP);
• marginal pasture land devoted to appropriate vegetation for water quality
purposes;
• grasslands that (1) contain forbs or shrubland on which grazing is the
predominant use; (2) are located in an area historically dominated by grasslands;
and (3)could provide habitat for ecologically significant animal and plant
populations if restored or retained in its current condition.
• cropland that is otherwise ineligible, if it is determined that (1) if permitted to
remain in agricultural production, it would contribute to the degradation of soil,
water, or air quality; (2) the land is a newly created, permanent grass sod
waterway, or a contour grass sod strip; (3) the land will be devoted to newly
established living snow fences, permanent wildlife habitat, windbreaks,
shelterbelts, or filterstrips or riparian buffers devoted to trees or shrubs; (4) the
land poses an off-farm environmental threat; or (5) enrollment of the land would
facilitate a net savings in groundwater or surface water resources; or

4 Both CREP and the farmable wetlands programs were reauthorized in the 2014 farm bill and are discussed in the
Appendix A.
5 7 C.F.R. 1410.5. Producers must also meet broader eligibility requirements related to adjusted gross income limits
(not more than $900,000) and compliance requirements.
6 16 U.S.C. 3831(b).
7 Refers to a conservation plan developed under the highly erodible land conservation provisions. For additional
information, see CRS Report R42459, Conservation Compliance and U.S. Farm Policy, by Megan Stubbs.
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• certain land enrolled as a riparian buffer or for similar water quality purposes.
Payments
In exchange for enrollment into CRP, participants receive payments from USDA. These payments
offset the cost of temporarily retiring the land from production and implementing resource-
conserving and wildlife-promoting practices. A number of payment types under CRP are
highlighted in Table 1.
The authorizing statute establishes the maximum number of acres that can be enrolled in the
program at any one time.8 The program is authorized to spend such sums as necessary to enroll up
to the maximum level of allowable acres. This funding is mandatory (i.e., not subject to annual
appropriations) and is provided through the borrowing authority of the USDA’s Commodity
Credit Corporation (CCC). In total, the average annual federal cost for CRP is close to $2 billion.
The majority of this cost is annual rental payments, which average $63.65 per acre, but can vary
greatly by location.9
Table 1. CRP Payments
Payment Type
Description
Limit
Sign-up Type
Rental Payment
Annual payment to participants. Based on soil
$50,000 annual y for any
general and
productivity for each county and the average
person or legal entity
continuous sign-up
dryland case rental rate.
Cost-share Payment
Payment for a percentage of installing or
No more than 50% of the
general and
establishing an eligible practice.
actual or average cost of
continuous sign-up
establishing the practice.
Maintenance Incentive
Reimburses participants for the average
$5 per acre per year
certain continuous
Payment
annual cost of certain practice maintenance.
sign-up practices
One-time Sign-up
One-time incentive payment made to
$10 per acre per year enrol ed certain continuous
Incentive Payment (SIP)
participants that enroll certain practices.
(not to exceed 10 years)
sign-up practices.
One-time Practice
One-time incentive payment for eligible
40% of the eligible cost of
certain continuous
Incentive Payment (PIP)
installation costs for certain practices
practice installation
sign-up practices.
Other Financial
Additional incentives, as part of annual rental
Up to 20% of the annual rental
certain continuous
Incentive
payments, for windbreaks, grass waterways,
payment
sign-up practices.
filter strips, and riparian buffers
Sources: 16 U.S.C. 3834, 7 C.F.R. 1410.40-1410.42, and USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program Continuous
Sign-Up, Fact Sheet, July 2010, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/crp_contsignup_072610.pdf.
Practices
Producers have a number of conservation practices to consider for installation on their land when
enrolling in CRP. The selection of practices is part of the voluntary enrollment process and is
determined by the landowner, with assistance from USDA, while developing a CRP offer. Once

827.5 million in FY2014, 26 million in FY2015, 25 million in FY2016, and 24 million in FY2017 and FY2018., 16
U.S.C. 3831(d).
9 For example, the highest average rental payment per acre for a state (for all CRP sign-ups) is in Massachusetts at
$207.20/acre. Only 10 acres are enrolled in Massachusetts. The lowest is in Wyoming at $26.56/acre. The state with the
most acres enrolled––Texas at 3.2 million acres––averages $36.79/acre for rental payments.
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an offer is accepted for enrollment, the participant must develop a conservation plan of operation,
which serves as a guide for which practices will be used, where, and for how long. Once the plan
is approved and the contract signed by the participant, the land is considered enrolled in CRP.
Certain continuous sign-up initiatives require specific conservation practices for enrollment. The
most widely applied conservation practices are described in Table 2.
Table 2. Top Five Conservation Practices Installed on CRP Acres
(current as of December 2013)
Practice
Acres
Code Practice
Description Enrolled Leading
States
CP2
Establishment of permanent native grasses
6,775,593
Texas, Colorado, Kansas
CP10
Already established vegetative cover
4,313,003
Texas, Colorado, Montana
(grasses and legumes)
CP1
Establishment of permanent introduced
3,370,969
Missouri, Montana, Texas
grasses and legumes
CP4D
Permanent wildlife habitat
2,132,166
Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas
CP25
Rare and declining habitat
1,718,011
Kansas, Nebraska, Montana
Source: USDA, FSA, Conservation Practices Instal ed on CRP (acres), Cumulative, December 2013.
Note: Based on total acres enrolled in practices for all sign-up types.
Current Issues
Farm Bill Reauthorization
The 2014 farm bill reauthorized CRP and reduced the enrollment cap from 32 million acres to 24
million acres by FY2018. While CRP enrollment has fluctuated since its creation in the 1985 farm
bill, recent enrollment has declined from its peak in FY2007 of 36.8 million acres to 25.6 million
acres in FY2013. Reduced enrollment is thought to be a product of high commodity prices, low
rental rates, and declining interest in retiring land from production. Further reduction in the farm
bill was viewed as inevitable given the fiscal challenges. Conservation and wildlife groups,
however, remain concerned that reduced enrollment will impact critical species habitat and soil
and water quality. The 2014 farm bill enrollment reduction created an estimated savings of $3.3
billion over ten years.
A number of programmatic changes centered around permitted activities. Emergency harvesting,
grazing, and other use of forage are permitted, in some cases, without a reduction in rental rate, as
well as livestock grazing for a beginning farmer or rancher. Other approved activities, such as
annual or routine grazing, may continue to require a reduction in rental rate (discussed further in
the “Harvesting and Grazing” section below). The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was
repealed in the 2014 farm bill. Grassland contracts, similar to what was repealed under GRP, are
now eligible under CRP. The 2014 farm bill also allows CRP participants the opportunity to
terminate their contract early if the land has been enrolled longer than five years and it does not
contain environmentally sensitive practices. A detailed analysis of the programmatic changes may
be found in Appendix B. An analysis of the full farm bill reauthorization debate may be found in
CRS Report R43076, The 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79): Summary and Side-by-Side.
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Harvesting and Grazing
Harvesting and grazing became a major concern beginning in the summer of 2012. A prolonged
drought and flooding in parts of the Midwest had livestock owners requesting access to land
enrolled in CRP for forage harvesting and grazing. While USDA did allow emergency harvesting
and grazing under CRP, annual rental rates were reduced due to the statutory required that
payments be reduced commensurate with the economic value of the authorized activity.
Historically, this reduction ranged between 10%-25% of the annual rental payment.
Following amendments made in the 2014 farm bill, harvesting and grazing are still permitted on
CRP land under certain conditions. The amendments expand these opportunities by reducing or
eliminating payment penalties and incorporating elements of the repealed Grassland Reserve
Program (GRP) into grassland contracts. In some cases, environmentally sensitive land is
ineligible for harvesting and grazing and most have restrictions during primary nesting season
(Figure 1). Now rate reductions for permitted activities are as follows:
• Forage in response to drought, flooding, or other emergency—no reduction in
rental rates.
• Authorized activities consistent with soil conservation, water quality and
wildlife habitat; managed harvesting; and commercial use (including
biomass harvesting)10 —not less than a 25% reduction in annual rental rates for
acres covered by the activity. To occur at least every five years but not more than
once every three years.
• Annual prescribed grazing for invasive species control—not less than a 25%
reduction in annual rental rate, subject to nesting season restrictions.
• Routine grazing—not less than a 25% reduction in annual rental rate, subject to
nesting season restrictions, vegetation management requirements and stocking
rates, and limited to not more than once every two years (accounting for regional
differences).
• Wind turbine installation—not less than a 25% reduction in annual rental rate,
subject to nesting restrictions and limitations on the number and location or the
turbines.
• Seasonal use of vegetative buffer practices—no reduction in rental rates
assuming the permitted use does not damage the permanent vegetation.
• Livestock grazing by a beginning farmer or rancher—no reduction in rental
rates, providing the grazing is consistent with soil conservation, water quality and
wildlife habitat; nesting season; control of invasive species; or routine grazing.

10 Includes vegetation management requirements and restricted periods of application. Both requirements are developed
in consultation with State Technical Committees.
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Figure 1. Primary Nesting Season Dates and Duration:
Limitation on CRP Harvesting and Grazing Activities

Source: USDA, FSA, DAFP, PECD, CAB, June 10, 2013, Primary Nesting Season Dates and Duration,
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/mapnesting062013.pdf.
The 2014 farm bill repealed GRP and incorporated elements of the program into CRP. GRP
included two enrollment types––contracts and easements.11 GRP contracts limited future
development and cropping uses of the land and retained the right to conduct common grazing
practices and operations related to the production of forage and seeding.12 A number of similar
activities associated with grasslands are now permitted under CRP. These include common
grazing and maintenance practices; haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production (subject to
nesting season); fire presuppression, rehabilitation, and breaks; and fencing and livestock
watering. Grassland enrollment is limited to no more than 2 million acres between FY2014 and
FY2018 as part of the overall program.
Recent droughts have fueled questions about the reduction of CRP acres. It is unclear what level
of relief to livestock is achieved through the emergency harvesting and grazing during drought or
if there is any long-term impact on wildlife habitat. Other questions remain, including, if fewer
acres are enrolled in CRP for conserving uses, or if enrollment were limited to more sensitive

11 The easement portion of GRP was incorporated into the new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
established in the 2014 farm bill. The repeal does not affect the validity or terms of any GRP contract or easement
entered into prior to the date of enactment (February 7, 2014) or any associated payments required to be made in
connection with an existing contract or easement.
12 Activities were subject to certain restrictions during nesting seasons of bird species that were in significant decline or
were protected under Federal or State law. All participants were required to operate under an approved grazing
management plan.
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land that would not support harvesting and grazing, what impact would this have on livestock
times of prolonged drought? Is the role of CRP to provide drought relief or is that beyond the
scope of the program? What are the positive and negative effects of harvesting and grazing,
whether managed or in the event of emergency, that might impact wildlife, plant quality, and
erosion control?
Enrollment
The nature of CRP enrollment has changed since the program’s inception in the 1985 farm bill.
Program priorities have shifted, total acres enrolled have fluctuated (see Figure 2 and Figure 3),
farming technologies have advanced, and producer preferences have changed. Many of these
changes are cited as the reason for further reducing the level of CRP acres enrolled in the 2014
farm bill.
Figure 2. Cumulative CRP Enrollment
Figure 3. CRP Enrollment
(acres by fiscal year)
(acres enrolled as of November 2013)
40
35
30
s 25
cre
n A 20
llio
Mi 15
10
5
0
Fiscal Year


Sources: USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program–
Source: USDA, FSA/EPAS/NRA, CRP Enrollment—
–Cumulative Enrollment by Year (Acres),
November 2013, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/
FSA_File/crpenrollmentnov2013.pdf.
historystate8612.xls and CRP October 2013
Monthly Summary.
Expiration and Reenrollment
CRP contracts vary in length, though most are 10 years in duration. At the end of a contract, the
participant may seek either reenrollment into the program (via a general or continuous sign-up, if
eligible) or let the contract expire. This 10-year cycle resulted in more than 16 million acres
enrolled in 1997 potentially expiring all at once in 2007. To stagger this expiration process,
USDA offered two- to five-year reenrollment and extension contracts in 2006 to contacts expiring
between 2007 and 2010 (27 million acres). While approximately 83% of those offered accepted
these extensions (23 million acres), over 8.5 million acres expired from the program during that
time.
The 45th general sign-up in 2013 recorded 1.57 million acres of the 1.68 million acres deemed
acceptable. Acceptable acres had an EBI score of 209 and above and an average rental rate of
$64/acre. Approximately 3.3 million acres under CRP contract (both general and continuous)
were scheduled to expire on September 30, 2013. Following the FY2013 general sign-up and
continuous sign-ups, 1.7 million acres left CRP on October 1, 2013, either through contract
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expiration or attrition. An estimated 2 million acres are scheduled to expire at the end of FY2014.
Between FY2007 and FY2014, over 17.1 million CRP acres under contact have expired and were
not reenrolled in the program (Figure 3). The majority of these acres in FY2013 are located in the
central part of the United States, which also has the largest number of acres enrolled (Figure 5
and Figure 3). The number and location of these acres concerns some program advocates because
of the potential loss of environmental benefits, particularly migratory and grassland bird habitat.
Figure 4. CRP Acres Not Reenrolled and
Figure 5. Change in CRP Enrollment
Lost Through Attrition, FY2007-FY2014
Between September and October 2012
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
d)
san
2,000
thou
s (
cre
A
1,500
1,000
500
-

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Fiscal Year
Source: USDA, FSA, EPA, NRA, CRP Change in
Source: USDA, FSA, Changes in CRP Acres from
Enrollment from September to October 2012,
2007 to October 2014 by State,
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/
acresmapseptoct2012.pdf.
acresstate2007102013.xls.
Notes: Contracts expire September 30; most new
Notes: Annual sum of expiring land that was not
contracts begin October 1.
reenrol ed and land lost through attrition. FY2014
land may be cropped in the 2014 crop year.
Under the 1985 farm bill, CRP was initially authorized to enroll up to 45 million acres between
crop years 1986 and 1990. USDA did not reach this enrollment cap and subsequent farm bills
reduced the authorized level of enrollment.13 CRP enrollment reached its peak in 2007 with 36.8
million acres. The 2008 farm bill reduced the enrollment cap to 32 million acres and the 2014
farm bill continues this reduction to 24 million acres by FY2018. This reduction in enrollable
acres will further reduce the opportunity for reenrollment of expiring acres under contact and any
new general sign-up would be relatively small.
Contract Termination and Early Release
Under current law, a producer wishing to terminate a CRP contract early faces a penalty of full
repayment, with interest, of all the funds already paid to the producer, including any cost-share
payments and other financial incentives, plus a fee 25% of rental payments received. Although
the Secretary of Agriculture always has the authority to release land from CRP without penalty,
this option has not been commonly used. In program history, this option has been exercised
twice––in 1995 and 1996––when acres were allowed a voluntary, penalty-free early release in

13 The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) lowered the enrollment cap to a total of 36.4 million acres through CY2002. The
2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) increased the enrollment cap total to 39.2 million acres through CY2007.
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order to enroll more environmentally sensitive cropland. In both cases, environmentally sensitive
acres were not released and certain restrictions applied to acres returning to production or
harvesting and grazing. In addition to the Secretary’s discretion, an early-out provision has been
in statute since the 1996 farm bill, but only applied to CRP contracts in effect before January 1,
1995. The 2014 farm bill amended this provision to allow for a one-time early release in FY2015,
but requirements of the old provision remain, including
• land cannot be devoted to filterstrips, waterways, strips adjacent to riparian areas,
windbreaks, and shelterbelts,
• land cannot have an erodibility index of 15,
• rental payments must be prorated for the year of termination,
• land is still eligible for future CRP contracts, and
• land is still subject to conservation compliance requirements.
Section 2006 of the 2014 farm bill expands this provision to allow CRP contract holders to
terminate prior to the contract’s expiration in FY2015 if the contract has been in effect for at least
five years and meets additional eligibility requirements. Specifically, in addition to the existing
requirements above, the land is considered ineligible if it is
• devoted to hardwood trees,
• wildlife habitat, duck nesting habitat, pollinator habitat, upland bird habitat
buffer, wildlife food plots, State acres for wildlife enhancement, shallow water
areas for wildlife, and rare and declining habitat,
• a farmable wetland and restored wetland,
• land that contains diversions, erosion control structures, flood control structures,
contour grass strips, living snow fences, salinity reducing vegetation, cross wind
trap strips, and sediment retention structures
• located within a federally designated wellhead protection area,
• covered by an easement under CRP,
• located within an average width, according to the applicable NRCS field office
technical guide, of a perennial stream or permanent water body, and
• enrolled under CREP.
Generally, most conservation and wildlife organizations are opposed to this penalty-free early-out
option, however, they believe the additional restrictions on ineligible land could minimize the
overall impact.14
Rental Rates
CRP rental payments are based on two main factors: the county average rental rate and soil
productivity. The county average rental rate uses the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s

14 National Wildlife Federation, 2014 Farm Bill Conference Report Analysis, 2014, p. 3, http://www.nwf.org/~/media/
PDFs/wildlife/farm%20%20bill/NWF-2014-Farm-Bill-Analysis_final.pdf.
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(NASS) survey of county average rental rates for cropland and pastureland.15 Soil productivity is
based on a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) calculation that uses data of the local
soil, landscape, and climate to determine the ability of the land to produce crops on non-irrigated
soil. The average CRP rental payment rates are as follows: $51.08 per acre for general sign-up,
$97.34 per acre for non-CREP continuous sign-up, $136.68 per acre for CREP continuous sign-
up, and $111.82 per acre for farmable wetlands.16
Rental rates for CRP contracts became an important issue to some producers when commodity
prices began to rise in 2008. Commodity prices have remained high, causing producers to claim
that CRP rental rates are significantly lower than the producers could get by renting their land out
for production. On the other hand, contracts are for ten or more years and could be viewed as
long-term investments rather than reactions to short-term commodity price fluctuation.
Economic Research Service Study
If rental rates are set too low, producers might decline to enroll their land, or, if already enrolled,
they might decline to renew their contracts at expiration. A 2011 study by the Economic Research
Service (ERS) at USDA, modeled the effect of increasing commodity prices on CRP
enrollment.17 The study suggested that maintaining CRP under its current configuration could
lead to program cost increases. When constraints were placed on increasing rental rates, the study
suggested that enrollment goals could be met with moderate increases in the CRP rental rates. The
latter scenario might mean that enrollment goals could be met, but at the cost of applying a lower
EBI, as producers with profitable, but environmentally sensitive, acreage choose not to enroll.
If crop prices remain high and enrolling environmentally sensitive land continues to be a program
priority, then finding the level of rental payments that encourages enrollment and keeps the cost
of the program acceptable to policy makers might continue to be an issue.
Office of the Inspector General Report
In July 2012, the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report on the use of CRP
rental rates.18 The report concluded that for the 39th general sign-up in 2010, FSA (1) did not use
the most recent NRCS soil productivity factors; and (2) allowed states and counties to propose
alternate rates that did not adhere to its own policies for reviewing and approving the alternate
rates.19 OIG accepted two of the four agency responses to its recommendations. The two

15 The 2014 farm bill amended the requirement that NASS conduct a survey no less than once a year on county average
market dryland and irrigated cash rental rates. USDA may uses the survey estimates relating to dryland cash rental rates
when determining annual rental rates.
16 USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program - Monthly Summary, Washington, DC, December 2013.
17 Daniel Hellerstein and Scott Malcolm, The Influence of Rising Commodity Prices on the Conservation Reserve
Program, USDA, ERS, Economic Research Report number 110, February 2011.
18 USDA, OIG, Farm Service Agency, Conservation Reserve Program - Soil Rental Rates, Audit Report 03601-0051-
Te, July 2012.
19 For example, “of the 687 proposed alternate rates it received, FSA’s national office approved 686, even though it
determined the majority (669 of 687) of the proposals contained evidence to support the alternate rates to be less than
strong.” Under the 41st general sign-up, a total of 271 proposals were submitted for alternate county average rental
rates. According to OIG, one official approved 150 rates—105 exceeded the NASS rate and 45 were lower than the
NASS rate. Ibid.
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responses that it found unacceptable concerned the use of the most recent NRCS productivity data
and establishing procedures for approving alternate county average rental rates. It is unclear what
follow-up action, if any, will be taken by FSA to address the remaining concerns.
Increases in Enrollment
Despite the potential limiting factors affecting CRP enrollment, the number of acres enrolled
under continuous sign-ups, including for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP, see Appendix A), has increased. Continuous sign-ups allow landowners to enroll land in
certain high priority practices in exchange for additional financial incentive. As of December
2013, almost 5.8 million acres (23%) were enrolled through continuous sign-up, an increase of
2.2 million acres since 2007. The additional financial incentive under continuous sign-up could
offset the potential gap between CRP rental payments and local rental rates to enroll more
environmentally sensitive acres. More contracts and farms are enrolled under continuous sign-ups
(410,171 and 238,896, respectively) than for general sign-ups (263,043 and 178,200,
respectively).20 Continuous sign-up enrollment represents a fraction of the total CRP acreage
because, in general, these enrollments involve only a small portion of a farmer’s total acreage.
Environmental Benefits
The greatest concern over a reduced level of CRP acres is a reduced level of environmental
benefits. Since its inception, research has shown that CRP has contributed to reduced levels of
soil erosion, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat development. While these benefits
vary across the country, some conclude that without CRP there could be additional environmental
degradation from agricultural production.21 Table 3 includes a list of conservation practices
applied on CRP land that is set to expire from the program between FY2015 and FY2017. It is
unknown how many of the practices would expire as a result of acres not reenrolling in CRP due
to the reduced number of authorized acres. It is also unknown whether these practices would be
maintained without a CRP contract. Landowners may choose to continue these practices
voluntarily or through other federal, state, or local assistance. In large part, the majority of
practices that could be lost if allowed to expire would be grasslands, both native and introduced
species, new and existing plantings.
According to FSA, since 2002, CRP has reduced soil erosion by 325 million tons from pre-CRP
levels each year. Since the program’s inception in 1986, CRP has reduced more than 8 billion tons
of soil erosion. Through FY2010, CRP has enrolled more than 2 million acres in wetlands and
over 2 million in buffers. Other annual conservation benefits include an equivalent of
approximately 52 million metric ton net reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) from sequestration,
reduced fuel use and nitrous oxide emissions avoided from no fertilizer use; more than 2 million
acres of wildlife habitat established; and a reduction of about 607 million pounds of nitrogen and
122 million pounds of phosphorus.22 From a wildlife perspective, it is estimated that CRP land

20 USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program, Monthly Summary, October 2013, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/
FSA_File/oct2013summary.pdf.
21 JunJie Wu and Bruce Weber, Implications of a Reduced Conservation Reserve Program, The Council on Food,
Agriculture & Resource Economics, July 2012.
22 USDA, FSA, The Environmental Benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program, United States—2010, July 2011,
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/united_states.pdf.
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produces over 13.5 million pheasants and 2.2 million ducks each year through habitat
availability.23
Table 3. Top Ten Expiring CRP Conservation Practices
(By expiring year in total acres applied)
Practice Code
Practice Description
2015
2016
2017
Total Expiring Acres
1,674,088 1,195,403
2,647,137
CP01
Introduced grasses and legumes
135,100
106,925
188,275
CP02 Native
grasses
488,526
316,164
283,793
CP03H Hardwood
trees
59,385
5,388
31,800
CP04D
Permanent wildlife habitat
127,960
120,415
119,064
CP10
Existing grasses and legumes
164,116
81,697
1,353,896
CP11 Existing
trees
39,479
36,817
112,723
CP21 Filter
strips-grass
108,748
114,998
95,129
CP22 Riparian
buffers
113,686
137,180
110,529
CP23 Wetland
restoration
96,512
26,808
29,702
CP25
Rare and declining habitat
130,978
58,277
17,944
Source: CRS, developed from USDA, FSA data, April 2012.
Conclusion
The 113th Congress reauthorized CRP as part of the farm bill, but reduced the acreage cap to
achieve a cost savings. Other pressures from high crop prices, increased demand for land, and the
potentially low rental rates could also impact the program’s ability to enroll the most desirable
acres in the future. Despite these challenges, supporters encourage maintaining CRP enrollment
because of the numerous environmental gains achieved by the program, including improved
water quality, soil health, and wildlife species habitat. Balancing the cost of maintaining such
benefits with the cost of the program could continue to be a challenge for Congress.


23 National Wildlife Federation, Maintaining Benefits of Expiring CRP, http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Policy/Farm-Bill/
Farm-Bill-Success-Stories/Success-Expiring-CRP.aspx.
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Appendix A. Continuous Sign-Up Initiatives
Continuous sign-up is designed to enroll the most environmentally sensitive land into CRP
through specific conservation practices or resource needs. Continuous sign-up includes a number
of initiatives that target acres with specific resource concerns or support additional conservation
practices. These are described below.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Initially implemented in 1997, CREP is a joint federal-state continuous sign-up program under
CRP. CREP targets geographic regions with agricultural-related environmental concerns, such as
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Florida’s Everglades. Some states (e.g., New York and Ohio)
have multiple CREP projects, each targeting a different area of the state. Projects are designed to
address specific environmental objectives through targeted CRP enrollments. Sign-ups are
continuous, non-competitive, and typically provide additional financial incentives beyond annual
rental payments and cost-share assistance. There are currently 45 CREP agreements in 33 states.
Farmable Wetland Program (FWP)
The Farmable Wetland Program (FWP) enrolls farmable or prior converted wetlands into CRP. In
exchange for additional financial incentives, landowners agree to restore the hydrology of the
wetland, establish vegetative cover, and prohibit development. For land to be considered eligible
it must meet one of the following criteria:
• a wetland or converted wetland cropped at least 3 of the immediately preceding
10 crop years;
• a constructed wetland that receives flow (surface and subsurface) from a row
crop agriculture drainage system and is designed to provide nitrogen removal in
addition to other wetland functions;
• land in a commercial pond-raised aquaculture in any year between 2002 through
2007; or
• cropland that was cropped at least three of ten crop years between 1990 and
2002, and is subject to the natural overflow of a prairie wetland.
The enrollment of buffer acreage is also permitted to enhance wildlife benefits. No more than
100,000 acres may be enrolled in FWP in any state24 and no more than 750,000 acres nationally.
The enrollment of wetlands (described under the first and second bullets above) is limited to 40
contiguous acres. “Flooded farmland,” or that defined in the fourth bullet above, is limited to 20
contiguous acres, and has a 20-acre limit.

24 This limit may be increased by USDA to up to 200,000 acres per state.
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Transition Incentive Program (TIP)
The 2014 farm bill reauthorized the Transition Incentive Program (TIP) option for expiring CRP
contracts. Under TIP land from expiring CRP contracts may be transitioned back into sustainable
grazing or crop production by a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
The land must be from a retired or retiring owner or operator (not a family member) in exchange
for up to two additional years of annual CRP rental payments following the expiration of the CRP
contract. The program was authorized to spend up to $33 million between FY2014 and FY2018.
This is an increase over the previously authorized $25 million in the 2008 farm bill.
Other Initiatives
Several other initiatives under CRP have been developed over time, mostly in response to
Administration priorities. Table A-1 includes a list of recent initiatives and their enrollment size.
Table A-1. CRP Initiatives
Allocation
Current Enrollment
Initiative Year
Started
(acres)
(acres)a
Floodplain Wetlands
2004
600,000
287,819
Bottomland Hardwood Trees
2004
250,000
93,766
Non-floodplain and Playa Wetlands
2005
350,000
263,524
Upland Bird Habitat Buffers
2005
500,000
244,715
Longleaf Pine Plantings
2007
250,000
120,534
Duck Nesting Habitat
2007
300,000
233,002
State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)
2008
1,250,000
844,774
Highly Erodible Land
2012
750,000
144,836
Pollinator Habitat
2012
100,000
5,231
Source: USDA, FSA, Conservation Reserve Program, Monthly Summary, December 2013, http://www.fsa.usda.gov/
Internet/FSA_File/dec2013crpstat.pdf.
Notes: The 2014 farm bill limits the payment amount for thinning activities to no more than 150% of the total
cost.
a. Cumulative acres as of December 2013. Excludes lands enrol ed in CREPs.
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Appendix B. CRP Provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill
Table B-1 compares CRP provisions in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) and prior law.
U.S. Code citations are included in brackets in the ‘Prior Law’ column. Corresponding section
numbers in P.L. 113-79 are included in brackets in the ‘Enacted 2014 Farm Bill’ column.
Table B-1. CRP Amendments in the 2014 Farm Bill Compared to Prior Law
Prior Law
Enacted 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79)
General Provisions

Sec.1231(a-b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (FSA)
Extends authorization through FY2018. Adds grasslands
(P.L. 99-198, or the 1985 farm bill), as amended,
to list of eligible lands, which is consistent with the
authorizes the CRP through FY2013. CRP provides
consolidation of Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
annual rental payments to producers to replace crops on
rental agreements under CRP (also see Duties of the
highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land with
Secretary, Sec. 1233 of FSA). Amends eligible land
long-term resource conserving plantings. [16 U.S.C.
definition for land not enrolled in CRP to include
3831(a-b)]
filterstrips and land enrolled in other conservation
practices. [Sec. 2001(a-b)]
Sec. 1231(c) of the FSA, as amended, determines the
Deletes language allowing land enrolled in the Water
planting status of certain land. [16 U.S.C. 3831(c)]
Bank Program and CRP cropland expiring in CY2000-
CY2002 to be enrol ed. [Sec. 2001(c)]
Sec. 1231(d) of the FSA, as amended, authorizes the
Reduces enrollment to 27.5 million acres in FY2014; 26
maximum acreage enrollment levels; the program is
million acres in FY2015; 25 million acres in FY2016; 24
authorized through FY2013 to enroll up to 32 million
mil ion acres in both FY2017 and FY2018. Within the
acres. [16 U.S.C. 3831(d)]
total CRP acreage cap, grassland enrollment is limited to
2 million acres between FY2014-FY2018. Gives expiring
CRP acres priority enrol ment for grassland contracts.
Grassland sign-up is continuous with one or more
ranking periods. [Sec. 2001(d)]
Sec. 1231(e) of the FSA, as amended, defines the
Amends language for land devoted to hardwood trees,
duration of contracts. [16 U.S.C. 3831(e)]
shelterbelts, windbreaks, or wildlife corridors to al ow
flexible contract lengths beyond the current 10-15 years.
[Sec. 2001(e)]
Sec. 1231(f) of the FSA, as amended, lists conservation
Deletes the watershed-specific language, but retains the
priority areas as the Chesapeake Bay Region, the Great
use of conservation priority areas as determined by
Lakes Region, and Long Island Sound. Watersheds with
USDA. [Sec. 2001(f)]
significant adverse water quality or habitat impacts
related to agricultural production activities are eligible
for priority designation. The areas’ designation expires
after 5 years or upon application of the state. [16
U.S.C. 3831f]
Farmable Wetlands Program

Sec. 1231B(a-f) of the FSA, as amended, authorizes a
Renames the pilot program “Farmable Wetlands
pilot program for up to 1 million acres of wetland and
Program.” Reauthorizes the program through FY2018,
buffer acreage in CRP. [16 U.S.C. 3831b]
and clarifies language related to constructed wetlands
receiving water from agricultural drainage. Reduces
acreage limitation from 1 million acres to 750,000 acres.
[Sec. 2002]
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Prior Law
Enacted 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79)
Duties of Owners and Operators

Sec. 1232(a)(8) of the FSA, as amended, establishes
Deletes language related to harvesting, grazing, and wind
approved use of harvesting, grazing, and wind turbine use turbine use on CRP acres and adds similar language
on CRP acres. Approved activities require a reduction in
under the Duties of the Secretary section (Sec. 1233 of
rental rate payments commensurate with the economic
FSA). [Sec. 2003(a)]
value of the authorized activity. [16 U.S.C. 3832(a)(8)]
Sec. 1232(b & d) of the FSA, as amended, requires a
Amends conservation plan language by removing possible
conservation plan on all CRP acres and reduces rental
base acre retirement. Deletes rental payment reduction
payment for certain authorized uses. [16 U.S.C.
requirement for certain authorized activities and adds
3832(b & d)]
similar language under the Duties of the Secretary
section (Sec. 1233 of FSA). [Sec. 2003(b-c)]
Duties of the Secretary

Sec. 1233 of the FSA, as amended, specifies the duty of
Deletes the current section and adds new section that
USDA to make cost-share payments and rental
includes the approved use language from Duties of
payments. [16 U.S.C. 3833]
Owners and Operators section above (Sec. 1232 of
FSA). In return for a CRP contract the Secretary must
make cost-share and rental payments. Certain permitted
activities are allowed if consistent with an approved
conservation plan and are subject to restrictions for
nesting birds that are economically significant, in decline,
or conserved by law. Emergency harvesting, grazing, and
other use of forage is permitted without a reduction in
rental rate. Livestock grazing for a beginning farmer or
rancher is permitted without a reduction in rental rate.
Other certain permitted activities (harvesting, grazing,
and wind turbines) are permitted in exchange for not
less than a 25% reduction in rental rates. Grazing,
harvesting, and fire suppression is permitted on enrol ed
grasslands. In exchange for a reduced rental rate, a
landowner may instal land improvement practices up to
one year before the CRP acres expire. This land may not
reenroll in CRP for five years. [Sec. 2004]
Payments

Sec. 1234 of the FSA, as amended, establishes a
Specifies that tree and shrub maintenance cost share
framework for calculating annual rental payments. [16
payments are limited to between 2 and 4 years beginning
U.S.C. 3834]
on the date of planting. Adds the requirement that
incentive payments be limited to no more than 150% of
the cost of thinning or other practices conducted.
Amends rental payment calculation to include grassland
contracts for not more than 75% of the grazing value.
Adds the requirement that NASS conduct a rental rate
survey no less than once a year. Dryland cash rental
rates may also be used as a factor for determining annual
rental rates. Deletes language al owing for in-kind
commodities as a form of CRP payment. Payments must
be made in cash and may be in advance of performance
determinations. [Sec. 2005]
Sec. 2601(a) includes a limit of $10 million for thinning
activities between FY2014-FY2018.
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Prior Law
Enacted 2014 Farm Bill (P.L. 113-79)
Contract Requirements

Sec. 1235(e) of the FSA, as amended, allows owners and
Allow owners and operators to terminate their CRP
operators to terminate a contract entered into before
contracts in FY2015 if the contract has been in place for
January 1, 1995, at any time if the contract has been
at least 5 years. Adds to the list of excepted land,
effect for at least 5 years. Land with filterstrips,
including land with: hardwood trees, wildlife habitat, duck
waterways, strips adjacent to riparian areas, windbreaks,
nesting habitat, pollinator habitat, upland bird habitat
shelterbelts, erodibility index of more than 15, and other
buffer, wildlife food plots, State Acres for Wildlife
land of high environmental value (e.g., wetlands) are not
Enhancement (SAFE), shal ow water areas for wildlife,
eligible for early release. The contract termination
rare and declining habitat, farmable wetlands, restored
becomes effective 60 days after the participants notice.
wetlands, diversions, erosion control structures, flood
Rental payments are prorated and conservation
control structures, contour grass strips, living snow
compliance requirements remain in effect. [16 U.S.C.
fences, salinity reducing vegetation, cross wind trap
3835(e)]
strips, sediment retention structures, federally designated
wellhead protection areas, an easement under CRP, and
average width of a perennial stream or permanent water
body, and a CREP contract. Terminations become
effective upon approval. [Sec. 2006(a)]
Sec. 1235(f) of the FSA, as amended, facilitates the
Adds “veteran farmer or rancher” as eligible individuals
transfer of CRP acres from a retiring owner to a
for the transition option, in addition to beginning farmer
beginning/social y-disadvantaged producer to return land
or rancher. Specifies that approved land improvements
to production, and al ows new owner to begin land
include preparing to plant an agricultural crop. [Sec.
improvements or start organic certification process one
2006(b)]
year before CRP contract expires. [16 U.S.C. 3835(f)]
Reauthorizes and increases the limit on the CRP
transition option to $33 million for FY2014-FY2018.
[Sec. 2601(a)]
No comparable provision
Adds a provision allowing landowners to enroll in the
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and conduct
activities required under CSP in the final year of the CRP
contract without violating the terms of the contract.
Also allows USDA to terminate or modify a CRP
contract if eligible land is transferred into the Agricultural
Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). [Sec.
2006(c)]
Sec. 1235A of the FSA, as amended, allows land enrol ed
Repeals provision. [Sec. 2007]
in CRP before enactment of the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-
624, November 28, 1990) to convert vegetative cover to
hardwood trees or restored wetlands [16 U.S.C.
3835a]
No comparable provision.
Provides transition language stating that changes made by
the 2014 farm bill do not affect the validity or terms of
existing contracts. Allows CRP participants to update
their current contract to reflect the new terms and
conditions under the Sec. 2004––permitted activities.
[Sec. 2008]
Funding

Sec. 1241(a)(1) of the FSA, as amended, allows the use of Reduces limit for incentive activities (see Sec. 2005) to
funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit
$10 million between FY2014-FY2018 and increases limit
Corporation to carry out CRP. Limits payments for
for transition assistance (see Sec. 2006) to $33 million
thinning activities to $100 million between FY2009-
between FY2014-FY2018. [Sec. 2601(a)]
FY2013 and payments for the transition assistance (see
Sec. 1235(f) above) to $25 million for FY2009-2013.
[16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)]
Source: CRS
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Author Contact Information

Megan Stubbs

Specialist in Agricultural Conservation and Natural
Resources Policy
mstubbs@crs.loc.gov, 7-8707


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