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United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
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Contact:  Jody Fagan, 208.685-6978


WATERSHED MAP FOR IDAHO

2005 IDAHO CSP FACTSHEET

FIFTEEN IDAHO WATERSHEDS SELECTED FOR 2005 CSP

November 3, 2004 (Boise, ID)—About 2,100 farmers and ranchers in 15 watersheds throughout Idaho will have the opportunity to participate in USDA’s new Conservation Security Program (CSP) in 2005.

“I am pleased to announce this kind of incentive that rewards Idaho producers for the conservation work they have already done,” said Sara Braasch, regional assistant chief for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), during a press conference held in Boise today.

CSP, a part of the 2002 Farm Bill and administered by NRCS, is a voluntary program rewarding those farmers and ranchers meeting the highest conservation standards on their land. Over $200 million could be available to farmers and ranchers nationwide.

“On behalf of Idaho’s 51 Conservation Districts and some 24,000 farmers and ranchers, we view CSP as a cornerstone program in the 2002 Farm Bill,” said Kent Foster, executive director of the Idaho Association of Conservation Districts. “We are happy to see it implemented here in Idaho and we are happy to see producers financially benefit from their conservation efforts.”

Selected Idaho watersheds include: (see map) Moyie, Lower Kootenai, South Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, Lochsa, Lower Selway, Upper Selway, Lower Salmon, Little Salmon, Middle Salmon, North Fork Payette, Upper Henry’s, Lower Henry’s, Big Lost and CJ Strike.

“CSP offers an exciting future vision for conservation,” said Richard Sims, NRCS State Conservationist for Idaho. “The program financially recognizes proactive producers already accomplishing great stewardship on their operations.”

Producers with over 50 percent of their land inside the selected watershed boundaries have met the first criteria for program eligibility. Additional base-line eligibility requirements include:

  • Following a nutrient, animal waste, grazing, residue and/or irrigation water management plan that promotes water and soil quality (where applicable in the operation).

  • Keeping written records (at least two years of records are needed for eligibility).

  • Considering wildlife habitat enhancements or other additional conservation measures.

The CSP signup will occur in early 2005. NRCS plans to hold public informational meetings in each watershed before the signup. Producers interested in participating will need to fill out a self-assessment prior to signup. A sample self-assessment is available at local USDA Service Centers or www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.

CSP will be offered in these 15 watersheds this year only. Over the next eight years, all Idaho farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to apply for CSP.

“We completed a very successful CSP signup in the Lemhi Watershed last summer,” Sims said. “We hope the Lemhi, coupled with the 2005 watersheds, will inspire other producers to assess their conservation planning to make sure they are eligible for future signups.”

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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