CLEAR30 offers up longer term conservation options

Agricultural producers and landowners with certain expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts, can receive additional rental incentives and extend that land’s role in conservation for another 30 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the sign-up period for its Clean Lakes, Estuaries And Rivers enrollment (CLEAR30) through July 31.

CLEAR30 is a part of the CLEAR initiative, which prioritizes water quality practices as a part of Continuous CRP enrollment, and is one of several CRP enrollment opportunities. CLEAR30 allows producers and landowners enrolling certain water quality practices, to enroll in 30-year contracts, extending the lifespan and strengthening the benefits of important water quality practices on their land.

Like other CRP enrollments, CLEAR30 is a voluntary, incentive-based conservation opportunity, offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Cropland and certain pastureland that is currently enrolled in Continuous CRP, or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and is also dedicated to an eligible water quality practice, such as the establishment of riparian buffers, contour strips or grass waterways, may be eligible for CLEAR30, if their contracts are expiring by Sept. 30.

CLEAR30 contracts will be effective beginning Oct. 1. These long-term contracts ensure that conservation practices remain in place for 30 years, which improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff, and helping prevent algal blooms. Conservation in riparian areas also provides important carbon sequestration benefits. Traditional CRP contracts run from 10 to 15 years.

To sign up for CLEAR30, landowners and producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. Contact information can be found at farmers.gov.