The Duck Nesting Habitat Initiative (CP-37), announced by the USDA Farm Service Agency just over a year ago, is currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2007.

This initiative is available through the Conservation Reserve Program on a continuous sign-up basis. It is open to landowners who have eligible cropland outside the 100-year floodplain in the Prairie Pothole Region of South Dakota, and whose land meets requirements for duck density set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Landowners with eligible cropland acres may enroll up to a 10-to-1 upland-to-wetland ratio under this practice.  While non-cropped wetlands are not eligible for annual rental payments, croplands surrounding non-cropped wetlands are eligible for enrollment. 

“This is a unique opportunity for landowners to enroll large tracts of marginal cropland into CRP using this continuous practice,” said GFP Habitat Biologist Chad Switzer of Huron.  “For example, if a landowner has a 16-acre cattail slough with no previous cropping history and it is surrounded by 144 acres of cropland eligible for this CRP practice, the landowner could enroll the entire quarter section into CRP and earn consistent income and provide wildlife habitat for 10 to 15 years.”

For landowners not eligible for the Duck Nesting Habitat Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands (CP-27 and CP-28) and Wetland Restoration Initiative (CP-23A) are continuous CRP practices available to address wetland and other marginal cropland areas, each with their own unique design to meet the needs of cooperating landowners.  In addition, landowners should be reminded that CRP rental rates were updated in the summer of 2007.

Landowners can learn more about these wetland practices and other CRP programs by visiting the USDA Farm Service Agency Web site at www.fsa.usda.gov or visiting their local USDA Service Center.  Landowners may also contact their local Pheasants Forever Farm Bill biologist to determine if acres of interest may be eligible at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/privatelands/FarmBillBiologists.htm.  

GFP also has information regarding these programs and can be found on the Private Lands Habitat Program Web site at www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/privatelands/Index.htm.

“The intent of the practice is to restore wetlands and provide undisturbed nesting cover for breeding waterfowl, but landowners will see even greater rewards. Upland nesting birds like pheasants will benefit, as well as non-game birds. Setting aside these areas can improve the water quality and aesthetic values of wetland/grassland areas,” said GFP Habitat Biologist Rocco Murano of Huron.