Feb 04, 2012 | Sign In

By The Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Officials say a plan to protect the Illinois River Watershed in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma will also mean money for landowners who participate.

The Arkansas Illinois River Watershed Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a voluntary program to take the land out of production. Ted Collins of the Farm Service Agency in Washington and Benton counties says the goal is to establish and restore forest and wildlife habitat buffers.

Those who participate will receive about $300 per acre when they sign up and then annual payments of about $82 an acre for 15 years.

Collins says the land must have a minimum average width of 50 feet and a maximum average width of 300 feet. Land offers must be at least one-tenth of an acre or more.

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