Subject: Conservation Reserve Program Narratives

It recently came to our attention that there are no current narratives specific to CRP noting the requirement to avoid disturbance to CRP acres during the nesting season. In order to assure this requirement is in every contract, two additional narratives have been added to the state list. All new CRP contracts should include the narratives 472 Use Exclusion KS01 and 595 Pest Management KS01. As existing contracts are modified, these statements should be included in the modification. It is not necessary to modify existing contracts solely for the purpose of changing to these narratives. (See narratives below) These narratives are specific to CRP contracts. If you have any questions, please contact Jon L. Ungerer, Natural Resource Specialist, at (785) 823-4543 or his e-mail address jon.ungerer@ks.usda.gov.

472 Use Exclusion
KS01 - Manage land and/or install barriers to exclude animals, people, and/or vehicles from a designated area. This practice shall be operated and maintained according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practice standard. There shall be no haying or grazing of CRP acreage for the life of the contract, other than that included in the contract Conservation Plan of Operations as allowed by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Operating Committee. Once the cover is established, all disturbances to the cover will be avoided during the upland bird nesting period of April 15 to July 15.

595 Pest Management
KS01 - Manage agricultural pest infestations (including weeds, insects, animals, disease, and other organisms) to reduce adverse effects on plant growth, crop production, and environmental resources. Use environmentally-sensitive prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression strategies. Refer to Form KS-ECS-595 for specifications. This practice shall be operated and maintained according to the NRCS practice standard. Once the cover is established, all disturbances to the cover will be avoided during the upland bird nesting season of April 15 to July 15. Noxious weeds shall be controlled on all CRP contract acreage for the life of the contract.

/s/

HAROLD L. KLAEGE
State Conservationist

DIST: A, F, S, FSA (3), Benfer, Ungerer (SCC), Aslin (KFS), Schroeder (KDWP)