NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:
Contact:  Jody Fagan, 208.685.6978

2004 CSP SIGN-UP BEGINS JULY 6
idaho NRCS to Hold Informational Meetings in Lemhi County June 22-23

Salmon, June 10, 2004—The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the release of an interim final rule to implement the Conservation Security Program (CSP).

The agency selected Idaho’s Lemhi Watershed as one of 18 watersheds nationwide where producers have the opportunity to participate in CSP this year. The project area includes the Lemhi Valley from the Gilmore Summit down to the town of Salmon.

CSP, authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, is a voluntary program that rewards those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation on their land. Nationally, the 2004 CSP budget of $41.4 million will allow NRCS to write 3,000 to 5,000 contracts. The contracts will be determined in a national selection process.

A sign-up will be held July 6-30 for Lemhi producers who have land in the watershed. In addition, Idaho NRCS will hold two CSP informational meetings for Lemhi producers who are interested in learning additional details about CSP and producer eligibility. Meetings are scheduled for:

• June 22, 7 p.m., Lemhi Grange
• June 23, 7 p.m., Commissioner’s Annex in Salmon.

“The meetings will provide producers an opportunity to see if the program fits in with their operation,” says Rich Sims, NRCS state conservationist in Boise. “We’ll also help those interested work through the self assessment tool to see if they are eligible.”

The sign-up criteria for CSP will consider the applicant’s current level of stewardship and interest in performing additional conservation measures.

“CSP will provide payments to individuals who are interested in continuing great stewardship,” Sims says. “We’ll be keying in on habitat for salmon and sage grouse, and continuing to improve the soil and water quality of the area.”

The CSP interim final rule with request for public comments will be published in the Federal Register soon. The comment period is expected to be open for 90 days. By issuing this rule, the NRCS can conduct a program sign-up and implementation this year. The program will be offered each year on a rotational basis, in as many watersheds as funding allows.

Additional information on CSP is available at http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov, or by contacting the Salmon NRCS office at (208) 756-3211, x3.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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