USDA to Increase Irrigation Rental Rates for Republican River Farmers and Ranchers Following Urging from Bennet

Press Release

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will increase Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) irrigation rental rates for farmers and ranchers in the Republican River system. USDA will raise the average annual rental rate for Colorado to $180 from $115 per acre. This program is critical for water conservation in the region.

"We're glad the USDA is taking steps to ensure Colorado's producers are treated more equitably for their efforts to help conserve water in the Republican River watershed, and we will continue to push for full equity," Bennet said. "CREP is a valuable program to help us compensate farmers and ranchers for their water conservation efforts. We will keep working with the Republican River Water Conservation District and USDA to ensure CREP continues to be a helpful tool to our producers."

Earlier this month, Bennet wrote to and spoke with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting the agency implement equitable CREP irrigation rental rates for Colorado producers. The previous rate was nearly 50 percent less than the CREP rate paid to farmers just across the border in Nebraska.

CREP is part of the Conservation Reserve Program, the country's largest private-land conservation program. Participation is voluntary, and the contract period is typically 10 to 15 years.

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