Frederick County CREP Program
Forest Buffer Survey

-Information provided by Mike Kay
Forester, Maryland Forest Service

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The Frederick County Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was initiated in 1998. Historically, this program has an average yearly planting of 80 acres with 754 acres being the greatest number of acres planted in one year. During its first year, 186 acres of land were reforested.

There are a total of 198 contracts on 1,905 acres of land throughout the County. Since 1998, approximately 146 miles of riparian forest buffers have been planted through the program equaling over 1,000,000 seedlings. The top years for enrollment were from 2001-2003. Currently, enrollment in the program is on the decline.

About 85% of the existing plantings have had adequate survival (> 65% survival rate). The drought years in the late 90's were the cause of greater mortality rates. However, mice and voles are the greatest threat to survival. Maintenance issues for plantings include the removal and disposal of tree shelters, weed control, and reinforcement plantings. The Forestry Office, Weed Control, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Farm Services Agency are working on ways to help landowners with these maintenance issues.

Click here to see the USDA Farm Service Agency Maryland CREP Report

For more information, contact:

• Forestry Office at 301.473.8417

• Weed Control at 304.694.1586

• Natural Resource Conservation Service at 301.695.2803 x 3

• Farm Services Agency at 301.695.2803 x 2