Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
The GRP is a program that assists landowners and operators in restoring and protecting grassland, rangeland, shrubland, and pastureland while maintaining them as grazing lands. The program's goal is to conserve, protect and restore two million acres by providing landowners with varying easements, long-term rental agreements, technical and financial assistance.
Enrollment options are available in 30-year permanent easements that equal the fair market value, as well as 10, 15, 20 or 30-year rental agreements. All options allow for grazing practices that maintain the lands viability in addition to haying, mowing, harvesting seed production, fire rehabilitation and the construction of fire breaks and fences. The GRP prohibits the production of crops with the exception of hay.
QUOTES:
"Grasslands provide critical ecological benefits and play a key role in environmental quality, as well as contributing to the economies of many rural areas," said Kalven L. Trice, Arkansas state conservationist. "This voluntary program helps protect valuable grasslands from conversion to other land uses, thus helping to ensure this national resource is available to future generations."
US Fed News - GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM SIGN UPS CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 15 - February 24, 2005
Fast Facts:
- Over 50 percent of the approximate 1 billion acres of historic grassland in the United States has been converted to cropland, urban land and other uses.
- There is an enrollment cap of two million acres
- The GRP largely benefits greater sage-grouse, bobwhite quail and prairie chickens
Timeline:
2002 - Establishment of the GRP through the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
2003 - First year of enrollment
2004 - 2005 - USDA approves a $5 million initiative
focused on greater sage-grouse conservation and recovery
2006 - Over 820,000 acres are currently enrolled in the program
Get the latest at the GRP Website.
