Louisiana CREP and its Objectives. Of the estimated two and a half million acres of coastal prairie that once existed in southwest Louisiana, less than 500 acres remain. The remaining acres exist in narrow and fragmented strips due to alteration of hydrology and historic fire regimes, removal of native grazers and intensive agricultural and residential development. The region historically supported as many as 500 different species of native grasses, forbs, and legumes and was once home to the endangered Attwater Prairie Chicken and Whooping Crane. CREP Agreements are designed to meet specific regional conservation goals and objectives related to agriculture. The LA CREP II has the following specific objectives: • Enhance and restore habitat for wildlife including that historically used by the endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chicken and Whooping Crane; • Improve water quality, groundwater recharge, and protect drinking water; • Restore up to 28,000 acres of Lousiana tall grass coastal prairie through the establishment of: o 22,400 acres of native grasses o 2,800 acres of shallow water areas, and o 2,800 acres of rare and declining habitat.
