North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Private Land Initiative (PLI)

(A cooperative program of the NDGF, USDA, Ducks Unlimited, and The North Dakota Natural Resources Trust.)

Conservation Reserve Program 
Duck Nesting Habitat CP37

Farm Service Agency

Background
Duck Nesting Habitat (CP37) is a continuous signup Conservation Reserve Program practice.  Contracts may be from 10 to 15 years in length. 

Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to improve duck nesting habitat and restore the functions and values of wetland ecosystems that have been devoted to agricultural use. 

Restored wetlands systems will provide habitat for ducks and other wildlife species, reduce erosion, filter runoff, recharge groundwater supplies, protect drinking water reduce downstream flooding.

Eligible Acreage
Eligible land includes cropland that has been cropped four of the six years from 1996 through 2001. The land must also be legally and physically capable of being cropped. 

The offered acreage must include wetlands that have been cropped and adjacent upland acreage.  Up to ten acres of adjacent upland acreage can be enrolled for every acre of wetland.

In addition, the offered acreage must be identified as having a potential duck nesting density of 25 breeding pairs or greater per square mile.  The eligible areas are shaded on the following map.

Acreage Limitations
This practice is available beginning October 2, 2006.  Applications will continue to be accepted on a continuous basis.  The 100,000 acres are allocated to five States as shown on the following table. 

There is no limit to the amount of acreage that can be enrolled by one landowner or operator. 

Benefits
Participants will receive annual rental payments.  Rental payments are based on the soils types on the land offered for enrollment.  Participants will be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the cost to establish cover and restore wetlands.  Participants will receive an additional incentive equal to 25 percent of the cost to restore wetlands.  Participants will receive an additional rental rate incentive of 20 percent.

Other financial incentives are being offered by State Agencies and private conservation groups.  These include, but are not limited to North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Ducks Unlimited and North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. 

Contract Requirements
The practice establishment and maintenance requirements will include but are not be limited to the following:

1. Establish nesting cover of tame or native grass and legume species.
2. Restore the wetland functions and values to the extent specified by the producer in consultation with FSA and NRCS.
3. Control annual weeds and other competition the year of establishment, with early and timely clipping before seed heads appear, or timely application of herbicides.
4. Prevent disturbance of cover during the primary nesting season for wildlife as established by FSA.
5. After the seeding is established control all noxious weeds as identified by state and local laws, by: a) treating with chemicals per label directions, or b) spot mow before seed heads form.  Delay control measures until after August 1st to protect nesting wildlife.  Spot treatment on problem areas may be authorized by FSA during the primary nesting season.
6. Protect the acres from haying and grazing.  Fences may need to be constructed and maintained to exclude livestock throughout all 12 months of the year.
7. Do not use the contract area for field borders, field roads, or other uses that will damage or destroy the cover.
8. Control rodent infestations that adversely affect the perennial ground cover. Use all chemicals according to label instructions.
9. Disturb native grass or grass-legume areas at least once during the contract to rejuvenate grass quality and vigor.  A cover management activity should occur starting in year 5 or 6 and repeated in 11 or 12 for 15 year contracts.  Management options include; (1) prescribed burning, (2) mowing with residue removed in accordance with FSA requirements, or (3) disking (4) harrowing.  Management activities must take place prior to April 15 or from August 2 to September 1.  Except for burning, no more than 50 percent of a field should be disturbed per year. 
10. Maintain water control structures in a safe and effective manner for the duration of the contract.

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