The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation and the state of Arkansas entered into a revised agreement to add incentives to the Illinois River Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The program was created to reduce nutrient, bacterial and sediment load in the Illinois River Watersheds. The agreement establishes riparian buffers and filter strips on marginal pastureland and cropland with a goal of reducing 85,000 tons of annual sediment loading into local streams and waterways. "USDA is proud to work with the state of Arkansas to enroll up to 10,000 acres of eligible cropland and marginal pastureland to enhance the water quality, biological diversity and aquatic habitats of the Illinois River Watersheds," said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. Learn more.