Monday marked the start of the sign-up for a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) initiative to restore up to half a million acres of floodplains by planting bottomland hardwood trees on private lands, authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.

    "This is an unprecedented opportunity to help improve our environment through the sequestration of over one million metric tons of greenhouse gases," said Ag Secretary Ann Veneman on Monday, in making the announcement. "This initiative will help restore critical wildlife habitat, while improving water quality and reducing the impacts of floods."

    Under the program, states are allocated specific amounts of acreage based on their pro-rata share of eligible acreage to ensure nationwide protection of vital floodplains.

    "While farmers and ranchers within most states may be eligible, the initiative is targeted toward areas in the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River valleys and the southern coastal plain," said Deputy Agriculture Secretary James Moseley.

    Just over half of the acreage (255,000) will be allocated toward land in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio.

    Bottomland hardwoods are streamside forest trees, including oak, maple, ash, cypress and tupelo. These trees grow generally on lands that are periodically flooded. The initiative will protect against future flood damage by slowing the flow of water and shoring up soil. Each enrolled site will be restored to an ecologically diverse forest type.

    Eligible land must be located within a 100-year floodplain, comprised of primarily wetland soils and adjacent to permanent rivers and streams.

    Program participants will receive 50% of the cost to establish the trees, an annual rental payment for 14 to 15 years, and technical assistance to plant the trees. Participants will also retain their right to sell or market their carbon-sequestered gains (often referred to as credits) that are produced from bottomland hardwoods, or other environmental credits, to energy compan ies or whomever they choose.

    Sign-up for the hardwood tree initiative is on a continuous basis, meaning eligible land may be enrolled at any time at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.