1997 Results - Conservation Reserve Program in Utah
Results - Conservation Reserve Program in Utah
The Conservation Reserve Program is a systematic way of curbing water and
wind erosion using vegetative cover on cropland that would otherwise be eroding
at a high rate. It starts when a notice from Washington D.C. announces a sign up
period at which time landowners interested in participating are invited to
notify their local NRCS office for details. A NRCS representative would then
assess the land in question, write up a proposal and ask the landowner to submit
a bid for which he would receive ten yearly payments if accepted. At the end of
the ten-year period one of two things happen. One is that the land is put into
another use. Another is that it continues in CRP if another sign up is offered
and the landowner chooses to participate.
The type of Land that qualifies as highly erodible according to national
standards has an erosion rate that exceeds the T factor. The T factor is
described as the maximum amount of erosion at which the quality of a soil as a
medium for plant growth can be maintained. In Utah, these soils are normally on
steeper valley side slopes subject to washing or open areas subject to soil
blowing. To be eligible for CRP, the fields must also have a cropping history.
Landowners gain in two ways. One is monetarily, through yearly payments from
the government for having the land in a vegetative cover. The other is in
benefits to the field. Through development of a biomass, the soil has nutrients
for future crops, better water intake, higher available water rate, and better
soil tilth and accumulated topsoil trapped by the vegetation. Prior to CRP,
erosive soils were being mined for a minimal income. Afterwards, the landowner
received a tangible benefit while conserving a valuable resource.
The taxpayer receives a benefit as well. Siltation is reduced dramatically.
With reduced siltation there is reduced pollution in our streams. Pesticides,
herbicides and fertilizers stay on the field where they can be used and then
processed by bacteria in the soil. When water quality is improved, we see a
benefit in our upland and aquatic wildlife habitat types. Wetland areas have
less sediment to filter and thus do a better job of cleaning the remaining
stream flow. Less money is spent on water abatement because runoff has been
decreased. Stream flow is less erratic and more prone to stay in the channel
rather than scour erosive banks. The primary benefit to all of us is that CRP
allows soil to do a better job of growing crops.