Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program also known as CREP, is a voluntary program to encourage private landowners to take agricultural land along streams, ditches, and wetlands out of production and to establish riparian buffer zones.  

The purpose of establishing riparian buffer zones is to reduce non-point source pollution and sedimentation from agriculture operations while also enhancing native wildlife habitat. 

CREP is a partnership program between the USDA Farm Service Agency and the state of NC. 

A CREP conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement in which there is an acquired interest in the land to install conservation practices that protect natural resources.  

When a CREP conservation easement is in place, landowners retain ownership of the property, but agree to limit land use activities in the future. A deed of conservation easement is recorded in the local courthouse so as land ownership changes, the easement follows the land.  

More Information Can Be Found Here.