2008 Conservation Security Program

The Secretary of Agriculture has announced the 2008 sign-up. The sign-up will start April 18, 2008 and end May 30, 2008.

General Program Information

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is an exciting private lands conservation program authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. CSP has been the capstone conservation program offered by NRCS and was designed to reward producers who are already doing a good job of conservation and to motivate others. CSP has been offered in selected watersheds in every state. These watersheds have been based on priorities established within each state by the State Technical Advisory Committee.

NOTE: The 2002 Farm Bill expired at the end of fiscal year 2007. A new farm bill may be implemented in 2008 which could change the specific program information within these Web pages. Therefore, all information is based on past policies (2007 and before) and is subject to change at anytime after October 1, 2007.

Selected Watershed

In September 2006 USDA announced that the Judith Basin watershed as one of 51 watersheds selected in the country. There was no sign-up in 2007. In 2008, the Judith Basin watershed remains Montana's selection. The sign-up period will be from April 18, 2008 through May 30, 2008. The first eligibility requirement for participation in CSP is that the agricultural operation must have a majority of its acreage in the listed watershed regardless of which county the operation is in. For more information about the watershed, select it either in the table or the map below.

Map of Watershed Selected

CSP Assessment Tools

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Dennis Dellwo at 406-587-6748.

The following documents are available in Acrobat Reader format.

2008 CSP National Self Assessment Workbook. This self-assessment is required for all CSP applicants and must be completed and submitted by the end of the sign-up period (May 30) to be considered for funding. The document can be downloaded or it will be available at the local USDA service centers servicing 2008 CSP applications. It does provide an overview of national CSP criteria, but it does not provide criteria specific to Montana. (PDF; 1838.72 KB)

2008 CSP Montana Self Assessment Workbook. This self-assessment must be filled out in addition to the national self-assessment workbook which covers general criteria. To ensure that local resource concerns are being addressed, the Montana workbook asks more in-depth questions, covering a longer period of time. Copies are also available at the local USDA service centers servicing 2008 CSP applications. A version of this workbook formatted for the visually impaired is offered below. (PDF; 338 KB)

2008 CSP Montana Self-Assessment Workbook. This version of the Montana self-assessment workbook is identical to the previous one except that it has been formatted for the visually impaired.
(PDF; 488 KB)

CSP Enhancement Activities

2008 National CSP Enhancement Activity Sheets. A list of enhancement activity practices that will be available during the sign-up can be accessed here. Each practice is specifically defined to allow the producers to determine if it applies to their agricultural operation.

2008 National CSP Enhancement Certification Sheets. Each of the enhancement activity practices (above) that will be part of the CSP plan and contract will have to be certified by the producer.

2008 CSP National Payment Schedule. This shows the available enhancements and associated payments. It also shows enhancements that require additional components.

For More Information

The Amendment to the Interim Final Rule, sign-up criteria, program fact sheets, key points, and other information can be found on the national CSP webpage. General information on the program can also be found on the national CSP webpage or by contacting your local NRCS field office.

If you want to learn more specific information about CSP in Montana please see the following:

• Conservation Security Program Fact Sheet (Jan 2008)
• Conservation Security Program Application Process Fact Sheet (Jan 2008)

CSP Projects in Montana

The following stories describe how some Montana residents are using CSP and NRCS expertise to help make their lands healthier and more productive.

• The Conservation Security Program in the Lower Yellowstone Watershed
• Efforts to Perpetuate Pay Off
• Rancher Rewarded

Montana CSP Archives

• 2007 Conservation Security Program Archival Purposes Only
• For 2004, 2005, and 2006 CSP archives, contact Dennis Dellwo.

Montana Program Contacts

Dennis Dellwo, Program Specialist
Phone: 406-587-6748
Email: Dennis.Dellwo

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 12/02/2008