CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM A WIN-WIN FOR HAWAI‘I FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

HONOLULU  –  Hawai‘i farmers and ranchers can now participate in an innovative conservation program that will help restore habitats of native Hawaiian species, improve water quality in stream systems, reduce the spread of invasive species and enhance coastal and coral reef health.

At a news conference today, Hawai‘i Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. and Steve Peterson, acting state executive director of the Hawai‘i Farm Service Agency, announced that sign up begins on April 1, 2009 for Hawai‘i’s first Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

Under the program, participating farmers and ranchers are invited to voluntarily enroll land in CREP and commit to conservation practices -- such as converting the land to native trees, shrubs, grasses and other vegetation or wetland restoration measures. In return they will receive incentive rental payments and cost-share reimbursement for their expenses.

The goal is to enroll up to 15,000 acres of marginal pastureland and cropland that will be converted to natural areas over 20 years. This land-based restoration will improve water quality and wildlife habitat and protect vital watersheds and riparian areas on agricultural land on six of the main Hawaiian islands.

“It’s gratifying to see this program now being realized,” said the Farm Service Agency’s Peterson. 

“Since we began this process over five years ago, state and federal government officials, environmental groups and many private landowners worked hard to make this habitat restoration program blossom for Hawai‘i.”

Farmers and ranchers interested in this innovative conservation program may apply with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at their local United States Department of Agriculture Service Center. Program enrollment will begin April 1, 2009 on the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui in 2009 and 2010 and will expand later to Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu through 2013.

“This partnership shows that strengthening our economy and protecting the environment are not mutually exclusive,” said Lt. Governor Aiona. “During these critical times, it is important to continue taking steps toward long-term economic recovery while advancing stewardship of our islands’ natural resources, and this program does that. This is truly a win-win situation.”

Partners in this precedent-setting collaborative program include two USDA agencies (Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service), two Hawai‘i State agencies (Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture), the University of Hawai‘i, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), as well as a number of other watershed and conservation groups.

“EDF is delighted to have been a part of this collaborative effort. This project on Hawai‘i is precedent-setting; a unique conservation model for a wonderfully unique region of the United States,” added attorney and wildlife expert Terry Noto.

For further details and the location of your nearest USDA Service Center, call 808-441-2704 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/hi or www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/crep.

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Connie Laumann,
FSA, Farm Programs Specialist
808-441-2704 x145
connie.laumann@hi.usda.gov

M. Irene Sprecher,
DLNR, CREP Coordinator
808-587-4167
Melissa.I.Sprecher@hawaii.gov