Riparian Restoration & EnhancementWhat is a healthy riparian area?A riparian area with functioning or healthy buffers has a diversity of native trees, shrubs and forbs, is relatively free of non-native or invasive species, and is protected from livestock. Riparian areas when functioning appropriately help protect water quality, provide habitat for fish and wildlife, and stabilize stream banks from erosion.
What is CREP?CREP is a voluntary conservation program which helps rural landowners install riparian enhancement conservation practices along streams and rivers.
CREP provides participants with both technical assistance and a variety of financial incentives. CREP will pay landowners to establish buffers of native trees and shrubs along streams and rivers, implement wildlife habitat enhancements such as bird boxes and raptor perches, remove invasive species like Himalayan blackberry and fence off livestock from waterways.
Why CREP?Riparian forest buffers installed through CREP are flexible. Buffers can be as narrow as 35 feet and as much as 180 feet wide or more. Landowners may enroll a portion of their stream or their entire streamside area. Free technical assistance is provided throughout the planning process and after. CREP offers many financial incentives to participants, including an annual payment for up to fifteen years after enrolling in the program.
Who is eligible?CREP is available for rural landowners with crops, pastures, or other non-forested land along streams. Ask for a no obligation eligibility site visit.
How to sign up for the program.To enroll in CREP, please make an appointment with Jenne Reische at 503-655-3144 x 111. Enrolling in CREP does not obligate you in any way; it just initiates the planning process. CREP project planning and approval can take several months and during that time, applicants may withdraw without obligation.
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