The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is mailing 30,000 post cards to streamside property owners in southern central Pennsylvania to invite them to participate in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

The mailing is part of a major campaign to encourage landowners to plant forest buffers along their streams.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program not only covers the costs to install buffers, but also pays annual rental fees once the buffer has been established.

“Planting streamside buffers is one of the most effective conservation measures we can take to reduce pollution and improve water quality in our local streams,” said David Wise, PA CBF’s Watershed Restoration Manager. “We’re encouraging landowners to enroll and take advantage of the opportunity to improve their water quality and the value of their property while getting paid to do so.”

Through CREP, landowners can plant a variety of native trees and shrubs along their streams to help reduce pollution entering the stream, keep the water temperature cooler, provide habitat for songbirds and wildlife, and to enhance the beauty of their property. The minimum buffer width required through CREP is 35’, but most landowners recognize the many benefits and enroll much more than that; the typical buffer is 100’ wide.

Landowners with one-quarter mile or more of streamside property are encouraged to enroll. To date, nearly 3,000 Pennsylvanians have enrolled their property in CREP buffers.

“Enrolling your property is truly as easy as it sounds,” said Ashley Spotts, CBF’s Lancaster County CREP Buffer Specialist. “All it takes is a commitment to want to make things better. CREP helps with the rest.”

In addition to CBF, partners in CREP include: USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dept. of Environmental Protection, Game Commission, Center for Rural PA, Ducks Unlimited, PA Assoc. of Conservation Districts, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Fish and Boat Commission, Partners for Wildlife, Pheasants Forever, State Conservation Commission, and the Western PA Conservancy.

CREP has set up an information hotline and website that make it easy to enroll. Check out 1-800-941-CREP or visit the CREP webpage.

2/23/2007