Conservation Reserve Enhancement (CREP)
Administered by the USDA's Farm Service Agency, this program is a "state-sponsored" Conservation Reserve Program; providing additional undisturbed habitat for wildlife and public hunting access. In South Dakota, the focus is on improving water quality, reducing soil erosion and providing flood control while creating additional pheasant nesting habitat in the James River Watershed.
CREP participants receive 40 percent higher rental rates than if they were to just enroll their land in CRP. Every acre enrolled in CREP is open to public hunting and fishing. Currently, there are over 830 contracts serving an average of 98 acres in size with a total of 110,223 acres for access.