A CREP conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement in which there is an acquired interest in the land to install conservation practices that protect natural resources.
When a CREP conservation easement is in place, landowners retain ownership of the property, but agree to limit land use activities in the future. A deed of conservation easement is recorded in the local courthouse so as land ownership changes, the easement follows the land.
The NC CREP program offers two conservation easement options: a 30-year term or a permanent easement. A 30-year term will expire with no further restrictions on land use. However, a permanent easement remains in place ensuring the future protection of our waterways.
Additionally, with a permanent conservation easement, landowners have the option of enrolling both agriculture land and existing forest buffer into the easement. This increases the impact the easement has on reducing non-point source pollution while also ensuring that those lands will remain forested and undeveloped for future generations.
Landowners should weigh both options carefully and choose the best option that fits their family's goals.
CREP Financial Incentives and Enrollment Options
Many landowners have the same questions or concerns. Review the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about a CREP conservation easement.
To talk with a CREP representative, contact the CREP specialist for your county.
With a deed of conservation easement in place, future land use activities are limited. Agriculture use for crops or grazing, development, dumping, or mining activities are no longer allowed in the easement area. Easements can be managed as forestland or as filter strips (where allowed) with shrubs, grasses, and weeds as early successional habitat, and used as recreation areas where landowners continue to enjoy their property.
Review the Managing your CREP easement for more information on allowable uses prior to performing any management activities.
To better understand what is meant by a "deed of conservation easement", review the Sample Deed.
As land and easement ownership changes, new landowners have many questions about the CREP conservation easement. If you recently purchased or inherited a CREP easement, contact a NC CREP representative to learn more about allowable uses, management options, and future on-site monitoring activities.
As part of a CREP easement, on-site monitoring activities are conducted routinely to ensure the deed of conservation easement is being upheld. The CREP program is continuously updating landowner contact information in an effort to keep easement holders updated and informed of on-site monitoring activities.
The NC CREP program is part of the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation, a division of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Contact a NC CREP representative with any questions you have regarding the conservation easement.