USDA ESTABLISHES WATERSHED APPROACH FOR CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM

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

Notice Published on Process to Determine Priority Watersheds and Details of Enrollment Categories

COLUMBIA, SC May 4, 2004—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the watershed approach and details of the enrollment categories that will be used in the fiscal year 2004 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up to be held this summer.

  “Watersheds are nature’s boundaries and are a good way to group together producers working on similar environmental issues,” said South Carolina Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Walter W. Douglas. “With a rotation through the nation’s watersheds, every farmer and rancher will have a chance to participate in the program and will provide the flexibility needed to expand the program as more funds become available.”

 In order to implement CSP this fiscal year, NRCS will immediately begin to train employees on the selection process to determine priority watersheds and establish enrollment categories as described in the Federal Register notice published today.

 USDA will use watersheds as a basis to determine CSP participation.  Economically, the $41 million budget for CSP in fiscal year 2004 will permit NRCS to write 3,000 to 5,000 contracts.  With 1.8 million potentially eligible producers, CSP funds must be focused. 

Administratively, the law requires that NRCS not incur more than 15 percent technical assistance costs associated with CSP.  Under this scenario, a nationwide program would not work; a watershed rotation offers a fair, science-based alternative.

 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 stewardship (soil condition, tillage intensity, existing practices and activities) and will sort producers based on these factors.  Categories also will examine producers’ willingness to perform additional conservation activities during their CSP contract.

CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of America’s natural resources.  Additional information on CSP, including the Federal Register notice, public comments and frequently asked questions, is at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. 

 USDA-NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.