Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation Reserve and Enhancement Program

The Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a cooperative effort between landowners, state, local and federal agencies designed to enhance the Illinois River by protecting water quality and land in the Illinois River basin (Figure 78) (IDNR 2004). The program was created in 1998 with a Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Commodity Credit Corporation and the State of Illinois.

Figure 78: Illinois River (IDNR)

The program is well received by landowners in targeted areas. Since the beginning of the program, CREP has restored and/or protected 110,854.2 acres of land either in existing or native vegetation. During this same period, 73,120.98 acres are enrolled in the state easement program. Of these acres, 92% are enrolled in permanent easements; 5% in 15-year easements; and 3% in 35-year easements. The CREP program restores and protects large expanses of the floodplain corridor both on the main stem of the Illinois River and long major tributaries (IDNR 2004).