Kennedy: CREP could be expanded to Red River

Congressman

also supports

another expansion of CREP for

Minnesota River

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- While working with the Minnesota Legislature to create Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in Minnesota is an option, "many think that a new CREP program should focus on a different river, in particular the Red River of the North," U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy said during a visit to New Ulm.

Use of the program for cleaning up and beautifying the Minnesota River valley will end next year when the 100,000-acre cap is reached.

The Second District Republican noted the program "does bring some of the similar benefits to the Red River that we have been able to achieve in Minnesota, and I clearly would be supportive of that. I would be supportive of another expansion of the CREP here along the Minnesota River.

"But the Minnesota River Valley project does expire. That's why we needed to get the (state's) matching program done this year," Kennedy said. "Once you get that 100,000 acres done, if we want to work with the state legislature to create sort of CREP II in Minnesota, we can clearly do that."

CREP is a federal-state partnership that's set up on a project basis, which in this case had a goal of retiring 100,000 of the "most delicate" acres along the Minnesota River Valley.

Even without a "CREP II," Kennedy indicated there's plenty of other conservation work to be done.

"The Conservation Reserve Program, from which it (CREP) springs, is an on-going program, and we have expanded that as part of our 10-year ag bill," Kennedy explained.

"A big part of CRP is the continuous sign-up where you can sign up anytime, and if you meet the qualifications, you go in right away. There is actually a higher price that is paid, and that's for things like buffer strips along county ditches, along waterways, windbreaks, etc.

"In driving through southwestern Minnesota, I'm constantly looking at every ditch. Is there a buffer strip along it? And frankly, nine times out of 10, there is not. That is another high-priority area for me from a conservation perspective."

Kennedy said he was pleased to find in the New Ulm area several ditches that have buffer strips.

"It's those types of things that we have to promote, applaud and encourage farmers to do while making sure the program is designed in a way that it also encourages them to do that," Kennedy said.

During Kennedy's visit to New Ulm, he spoke to Rotarians and toured the New Ulm Quartzite Quarries, the Kraft Foods plant and Schell's Brewery as a part of his "listening and learning" tours.

"When the school year starts, I hope to be back visiting the New Ulm schools," Kennedy said. "It's all part of understanding the needs of Brown County and New Ulm people."