Conservation Security Program Sign Up Announced  

COLUMBIA, June 9, 2004 —Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the release of an interim final rule to implement the Conservation Security Program (CSP), authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.

   Sign-up for the CSP will be available to eligible farmers and ranchers in 18 priority watersheds across the nation July 6 to July 30. In South Carolina, the Saluda River Watershed was identified as a CSP area. CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of America’s natural resources.

   “Through the Conservation Security Program, USDA will offer South Carolina farmers in the Saluda watershed incentives and cost-share assistance to help them meet their conservation goals,” said USDA Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) State Conservationist Walter W. Douglas. “The program recognizes producers who employ good stewardship and environmental practices.”

   The CSP interim final rule with request for public comments will be published in the Federal Register soon. By issuing this rule, NRCS can conduct the program sign-up and implementation this fiscal year. NRCS will consider all comments received during a 90-day public comment period in developing a final CSP rule. The program will be offered each year, on a rotational basis, in as many watersheds as funding allows.

   Most working agricultural land will be eligible for CSP. Producers on cropland, orchards, vineyards, pasture and range may apply for the program, regardless of size, type of operation or crops produced.

   According to the interim final rule, all CSP applications that meet the sign-up criteria will be placed in an enrollment category regardless of available funding. In addition to legal contract requirements, the categories will consider the applicants’ current level of stewardship (soil condition and trend and the existence of support practices and activities) and will sort producers based on these factors. Categories also will examine producers’ willingness to perform more conservation activities during their CSP contract to provide additional environmental performance.

   CSP certification workshops are being held in the eligible CSP counties during the month of June. Contact your local USDA-NRCS office for more information or visit www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.html.

USDA-NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          Contact:           Amy O. Maxwell         
                                                                           (803) 765-5402        
                                                                           amy.maxwell@sc.usda.gov