Idaho Bulletin 300-8-7

October 24, 2007

SUBJECT:  LTP - Conservation Security Program (CSP)
                         2008 CSP Annual Payments

TO:   All Employees, NRCS, Idaho

Purpose. To electronically transmit National Bulletin 300-8-2 that directs States to make 2008 payments on all active CSP contracts

Expiration Date.  September 30, 2008

Action Required by: December 1, 2007 and February 1, 2008

Background:

Public Law 107-171, Section 1238(c) (2), states the Secretary will make conservation stewardship contract payments as soon as practicable after October 1, 2007.

Please read the attached National Bulletin 300-8-2.  An annual payment letter will be sent to CSP contract holders by the State Office programs staff.  A sample of the letter is attached.  Contract holders will be asked to certify the benchmark conditions of the agricultural operation and whether they are following the terms and conditions of their CSP contract.  Contract holders will also specify which calendar year they wish to receive payment.  Contract holders will need to respond to the field office prior to December 1, 2007.

Contract holders who do not respond prior to December 1st will be sent a follow-up “Certified” letter from the field office requesting certification of the annual payments.

The 2008 annual payment will include stewardship, existing practice, and established enhancements that have previously been applied and are a recurring part of the conservation system. New practices and new enhancements not previously applied are to be certified and approved for payment only after they are documented as established. If an enhancement has previously been applied it becomes a recurring part of the contract and WILL be paid at the time of annual payment.  Annual payments will be made by February 1, 2008.

The contract modification button will be active ONLY during the annual payment process.  There is NO contract improvement modification period.  Maintenance modifications will be completed prior to the 2008 annual payment if necessary in order to avoid an erroneous payment.  Maintenance modifications, if they are necessary, are to be sent to the CSP Program Manager for review and processing.  This is the same procedure that we have followed for the last two maintenance modification periods.

Contracts that have 2007 enhancements or new practices not certified and approved for payment in 2007 will need to be resolved prior to making the 2008 payment.  Resolution will either be a payment made or a contract violation.  Policy will need to be followed according to 440-CPM-Part 512 in order to process a contract violation.

/s/
RICHARD SIMS
STATE CONSERVATIONIST     

Attachment

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