AG 2006 12 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. c, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), (where available) CREP is a voluntary program that seeks to protect land along watercourses that is currently in agricultural production. The objectives of the program include: installing 100,000 acres of forested riparian buffers, grassed filter strips and wetlands; reducing the impacts of sediment and nutrients within the targeted area; and providing substantial ecological benefits for many wildlife species that are declining in part as a result of habitat loss, Under CREP, landowners can voluntarily enroll eligible land in 10-year, 15-year, 3D-year, and permanent contracts. The state will pay additional bonuses to landowners that enroll land in 3D-year and permanent agreements, Cost sharing will be available for installation of forested riparian buffers, grassed filter strips, wetlands restoration practices, water control structures, livestock exclusion, and remote livestock watering in order to increase the efficiency of enrolled practices. Currently available in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and Chowan river basins and the Jordan Lake watersheds.30 d. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The Wetlands Reserve Program offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property, The NRCS provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. The WRP offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 3D-year easements, and restoration cost-share agreements of minimum 10-year duration. e. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This program provides a source of funding for nutrient management systems, The program offers technical, financial, and educational assistance in designated priority areas to install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices called for in five to ten year contracts for most agricultural land uses. f. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), This program encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of national, state, tribal and local significance by providing technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property, 6, State Right-trJ.-Farm Law31 By statute, North Carolina farmers are granted the right to farm without legal interference from non-farm neighbors and local governing bodies, subject to certain limitations, Pre-litigation mediation of farm nuisance claims is mandatory.32 7, Present Use Value Property Tax33 Working farm, forest and horticultural lands by state statute are afforded a property tax assessment based on their agricultural working value, as opposed to the value of their land for industrial or residential development. A working farm must earn $1000 in gross sales annually to qualify 9 \-\-)