CRP Access Program

The CRP Access Program provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners establishing or maintaining wildlife habitat on USDA Conservation Reserve Program acres in exchange for public access.

General Program Guidelines

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a federal conservation program delivered by the USDA-Farm Service Agency.

Land with an active USDA CRP contract may be enrolled into a PLOTS agreement.

PLOTS agreement lengths generally run the length of the USDA CRP contract; however, shorter term agreements are available.

Haying and grazing of CRP acres is allowed with some restrictions.

Landowner must allow the Department to sign and publicize the access acres as open to walk-in hunting.

Payment Rates

The Department will provide an access payment of $10 per acre, per year for CRP acres. Payments may be upfront or annual.

The Department will provide a one time Habitat Incentive Payment of $30 per acre for newly established CRP plantings.

The Department will provide an establishment payment of $150 per acre for wildlife food plots on CRP acres.

Additional payments for adjacent, non-CRP acres may be available.

How to Apply

Landowners can contact a private land biologist in their area at any time, however the deadline to enroll land into the PLOTS program is June 30th.

A biologist will be able to discuss specific details and program information, including agreement terms and provisions and payment rates.

Department private lands biologists are also knowledgeable about other conservation programs and opportunities available through other state, federal and private conservation organizations.