2008 Conservation Security Program

Upper White-Village Watershed

March 25, 2008

Dear Landowner:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) selected the Upper White-Village Watershed in Arkansas for the 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP).  The watershed includes portions of Greene, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, White, and Woodruff Counties.  Landowners in the watershed can apply for the program April 18 through May 16, 2008.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations.

Agricultural producers in Arkansas have been protecting our soil and water resources for years.  Now they are being rewarded for their stewardship.  Since 2004, producers in seven watersheds throughout Arkansas were accepted into the program.  They will receive more than $41.2 million over the life of their contracts.

Eligibility is based upon a three-tier system.  Maximum annual payment limits are established for each tier.  In past years, the maximum in Tier I was $20,000 annually for a 5-year contract and Tier II was $35,000 annually for a 5- to 10-year contract.  Tier III payments reached $45,000 annually for a 5- to 10-year contract! 

To apply for CSP, NRCS asks potential participants to complete a self-assessment workbook (available on the Web or from local NRCS offices) to determine if their operations are in the Upper White-Village Watershed, meet the requirements of the program, and qualify for program participation.

Additional information on CSP is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp or from the local USDA/NRCS field service center.

Sincerely,

KALVEN L. TRICE
State Conservationist

Contact

Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Kenneth Lee
Phone: (501) 301-3165
 

Last Modified: 04/14/2008

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