Submit a copy of the completed Form 7.30 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) End of Contract Review along with any accompanying documents (maps, photos, etc.) to your local NRCS/FSA office.
SECTION 1 – Tract and Landowner Information
FSA should provide DOF with a map of the CREP site. These maps typically include a Tract # and Farm # in the top right-hand corner. Some sites have CREP plantings that are divided into different field numbers. Ask FSA to send you a map with these fields labeled. Assess each field separately and fill out a CREP: End of Contract Review form for each field. Assessments for each field need to be separate because there may be a field that meets standards while another one doesn’t. *Important Note: Each “field” is essentially the equivalent of a stand in IFRIS. The term “field” is used in this form because that is what FSA/NRCS calls them. When reporting a CREP re-enrollment in IFRIS, map each “field” as its own separate stand and submit the accomplishment “Buffer Inspection & Re-enrollment” for each one.
SECTION 2 – Initial Observations
Exceeds Density Standards – Clearly exceeds NRCS tree density requirement (70% of the original planting density) paired with minimal invasives (less than 20% of the forested area). This condition is met when 75% or more canopy coverage and/or a TPA calculation that is greater than or equal to 100% of the original planting density is observed in conjunction with less than 20% invasive species cover. This may be determined using a combination of field notes and pictures. Refer to pictures in Sites Exceeding NRCS Density Standards as a reference if needed to better gauge what does and does not meet these criteria. Plot data is taken to provide a more exact TPA calculation and stand composition information. Visibly Below Standards – Very few, if any surviving, planted trees and/or few or no naturals, paired with invasives accounting for 50% or more of the total forest cover. Large gaps are likely common throughout the buffer. 20% or less canopy cover is observed and/or a calculated TPA less than 30% of the original planting density is observed. This condition may be determined using detailed field notes and pictures. Refer to pictures in Sites Visibly Below NRCS Density Standards as a reference if needed to better gauge what does and does not meet these criteria. Plot data is taken to provide a more exact TPA calculation and stand composition information. Inconclusive – Some surviving planted and natural trees, but mortality is apparent. Invasives are present and may or may not have an impact on the survival of the trees on site. This condition is chosen when one cannot clearly, determine if the buffer exceeds density requirements or is visibly insufficient. Plot data is used to provide more clarity and a more exact TPA calculation to help determine if the site meets the density standards or not. Detailed field notes and pictures are also helpful. Comments: Provide a brief explanation of your initial observations and why you chose the category you did.
SECTION 3 – Plot Data Results
Number of Plots Needed ≤ 5 acres 5 plots 6-10 acres 1 plot per acre >10 acres 10 plots +1 per additional 5 acres Choosing Number of Plots: If the planted area(s) is divided into several fields, choose the number of plots based on the total planted acreage, not the individual field acreage, and spread the plots evenly throughout each field. Once the data is collected, report the tree density found in each field to make it easier for FSA to differentiate between fields that do and don’t meet the standards for re-enrollment. Example: If there is a 4-acre planting divided into three separate fields, only five plots would be needed to assess the site. If the number of plots were chosen based on each field size, then 15 plots would be needed in this scenario (likely more than necessary). Note: Add additional plots as needed to capture variability more accurately in the planted sites. The chart above is simply a guide. More plots can always be taken at the discretion of the forester. Scenarios for Adding Additional Plots: The fields are not contiguous. Some sites may have several bordering fields while others have fields spaced throughout the tract. It may be necessary to add additional plots when the fields are spread out, especially if the composition varies from field to field. Composition varies widely throughout the site. Choosing Plot Size: When only one person is collecting the plot data, the default plot size is 1/100th-acre plots. If multiple people are collecting the data and larger plots are feasible, 1/20th-and 1/50th-acre plots can be taken.
Guidance for Addressing Distinct Sections of Low Survival: Certain sites may not display uniform density throughout the entire field. When distinct patches of low survival are observed on a site, refer to the following guidance.
Reporting Distinct Sections of Low Survival
Field Size	Reporting Guidance
Less than 3 acres	Report distinct, contiguous sections of little to no survival if they account for 30% or more of the site acreage.
3-10 acres	Report distinct, contiguous sections of little to no survival if they are 1 acre in size or greater.
Greater than 10 acres	Document distinct, contiguous sections of little to no survival if they are 1 acre in size or greater. If the combined acreage of these sections accounts for 10% or more of the total site acreage, then it should be reported.
*Distinct sections must be at least 0.3 acre in size or larger.
Record the likely reason/s for low survival:
Circumstances beyond the producer’s control:	Circumstances within the producer’s control:
Deer browse (if tubes are properly installed) Rodent damage (if following management plan) Ice storm damage Flood damage Poor nursery stock Other storm damage Recommended species not suitable to site conditions Drought Utility line right-of-way	Extensive invasive cover Bush hogging/running over trees during maintenance Deer browse (due to improper tube installation/care) Rodent damage (due to failure to execute management plan) Grass competition control around planted trees Damaged caused by cattle in the buffer
*This is not a comprehensive list. Contact the DOF Watershed team with any questions or concerns.
SECTION 4 – Invasive Species Coverage
Invasive Species Percent: Calculate invasive species percent based on the total forest cover. For each plot taken, document the invasive species coverage in the Stand Assessment Tool (SAT) under the invasive species category “Other Limiting Factors”. Record the percentage as a decimal between 0-1, with 1 representing 100% coverage. Comments on Impact, Extent, and Treatment of Invasive Species: Describe how the invasive species are impacting the efficiency and establishment of the buffer (especially if invasives exceed 20%). Comment whether removal/treatment of invasive species is necessary (the type of invasive that is present can impact this decision) and provide treatment recommendations for each species. Also mention feasibility of treatment/removal, amount of work needed to effectively reduce invasive populations, invasives present on neighboring land, etc.
SECTION 5 – Summary
Site Summary: If the TPA calculation for a site is 70% of the original planting density or greater with 20% invasive species coverage or less, then the site meets NRCS standards. If the TPA calculation for a site is less than 70% of the original planting density and/or greater than 20% invasive species coverage was observed, then the site does not meet NRCS standards. If there is a distinct section(s) of low survival that is both: Impacting the overall tree density, bringing the average below 70% of the original planting density Caused by circumstances beyond the producer’s control (reference Section 3) AND The remaining acreage (aside from the distinct section/s of low survival) meets NRCS standards. THEN Choose option 3 and fill in the necessary information below.
Example 1: A 15-acre tract has a 5-acre section with little to no survival due to poor nursery stock. After completing the assessment, the TPA calculation for the 15-acre tract was 85% of the original planting density with less than 20% invasive cover. Since the average density for the site meets the 70% standard and invasive species are less than 20%, the entire 15 acres are eligible for re-enrollment. Even though there is a 5-acre section with little to no survival, the remaining 10-acres have enough trees to bring the average density above the 70% threshold. Example 2: A 15-acre tract has a 5-acre section with little to no survival because the producer bush hogged a section of the field, including the planted trees. After completing the assessment, the TPA calculation for the 15-acre tract was 50% of the original planting density with less than 20% invasive species cover. Since the low survival in the 5-acre section was caused by circumstances within the producer’s control, the site must be re-planted to at least 70% of the original planting density for the entire 15-acre tract to remain in CREP. Even though the remaining 10 acres, when assessed separately, has sufficient tree density to meet the NRCS standards, it cannot be re-enrolled separately since the low survival in the 5-acre section was cause by circumstances within the producer’s control. Either the producer re-plants to at least 70% of the original planting density allowing them to re-enroll the entire 15 acres, or none of the acreage is eligible for re-enrollment. Example 3: A 15-acre tract has a 5-acre section with little to no survival due to a tornado. After completing the assessment, the TPA calculation for the 15-acre tract was 55% of the original planting density (Below the 70% standard). Since the 5-acre section has low survival due to circumstances beyond the producer’s control, the remaining 10 acres were assessed (excluding the 5-acre section of low survival). When assessed separately, the 10-acres not impacted by the tornado were found to have a TPA calculation that is 80% of the original planting density with less than 10% invasive species cover. Since this 10-acre section meets the NRCS standards for re-enrollment and the 5-acre section of low survival was caused by circumstances outside of the producer’s control, the landowner is allowed to re-enroll the 10-acres without having to fix the 5-acre section. If the landowner decided to re-plant the 5-acre section, then they would have the option to re-enroll the entire 15 acres. Site Details/Management Prescriptions: Provide any further site details that are relevant such as the specific species found. Specify which species have done the best and which didn’t do as well. Make note of any other site information not already captured in the document, that is important for the landowner, DOF, FSA and NRCS to know. Provide specific management prescriptions for the landowner to follow especially if the work is needed for the site to be eligible for re-enrollment. Management recommendations can be provided even if the site already meets standards. Prescriptions/recommendations can include but are not limited to: Replanting plan Invasive species management plan (if not already mentioned in Section 4) General maintenance suggestions (any recommendations related to: tree tube and bird net removal, grass competition control, mowing, fixing or replacing stakes and tubes, etc.) Tract Map and Site Photos: Submit a site map along with the CREP: End of Contract Review form and point out any specific sections on the map that the landowner needs to address. Include photos taken during the site visit and make note of where those photos were taken on the map.