By ANN HINCH
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Farm fields throughout Indiana lost tons of topsoil in the June floods, and some fields gained tons of sand, deposited by rivers that broke through protective levees.

These fields have gone from productive to paralyzed, and the only government assistance available may be to put the land into a permanent easement program.

But the deadline for doing so is more relaxed than it might first appear. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) manages the Floodplain Easement Program – a component of its Emergency Watershed Program – available only in emergency situations following natural disasters. NRCS has announced an open sign-up period from now until Oct. 1.

Jane Hardisty, NRCS state conservationist for Indiana, explained that date is not a cutoff for farmers to apply to put their land in the program – rather, it is the end of a 30-day signup to monitor interest enough to set money aside for the program. She said NRCS knows many growers won’t know what they can’t use for a while.

“Until these guys do their harvest and get out there this fall and winter, they’re not going to know what kind of problem they’ve got,” she pointed out.

Nor is the money doled out on a first-come, first-serve basis. “(Late applicants) just go through all the eligible criteria like everybody else,” she said.

She explained the Floodplain Easement Program offers farmers a lump sum payment for their “lost” land – based on local geographic area land value rate caps – while providing additional protection for future flood events. To be eligible, the land must have flooded at least twice in the last 10 years, and once in the last 12 months.
Hardisty said while the landowner retains ownership, some restrictions are put on the land.

The easement is permanent, remaining on the land if it is sold or willed. Recreational uses, such as hunting, hiking and birding, are permitted and the landowner keeps control of access to the land.
She added the NRCS doesn’t place many requirements on new conservation practices for these easements.

It is allowed to stay pretty much as it would be without crops, except the government does recommend certain plants to prevent erosion and noxious weeds from taking over.

Hardisty said she understands there is a great deal of rich bottomland in Indiana and farmers want to take advantage of it. “But if you’re going to lose a crop every two or three years, is it really worth it?” she asked. The easement does not have to be an entire field, she explained; in fact, there is no minimum size.

She said this program has been around for a good while, but hasn’t been available for the past several years because Congress did not provide for a disaster supplemental in the 2002 farm bill. It did update the new farm bill with such allowances, she added.

According to NRCS, placing flooded fields in easement programs provide benefits for surrounding producers and communities. The idled lands create a new place for excess water during flooding, safeguarding lives and property from future floods.

In addition to the Floodplain Easement Program, other non-disaster easement programs are also available.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) offers both 30-year and permanent easements, and can help cover restoration costs. To be eligible for WRP, the land must be cropland or pastureland, and at least half must have been considered a wetland prior to being farmed.

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) offers annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term conservation covers on farmland. To be eligible, the landowner must have owned or operated the land for the past 12 months and the property must meet cropland requirements.

To find out more details about the Floodplain Easement Program or to apply, contact NRCS at your nearest USDA Service Center. Check your phone book or visit www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/directory/field_offices.html online for locations.