Wyoming 
Conservation Security Program  (CSP)

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a new program that supports ongoing stewardship of private and tribal agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources.  CSP identifies and rewards those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations.  CSP was authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill and is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).   Reward the best - motivate the rest

How CSP Works

1. CSP is offered in selected priority watersheds across the country.  Signup periods are announced when funding is available.
2. Producers complete a self-assessment to determine eligibility and collect records which document their benchmark management system.
3. Eligible producers within these watersheds submit an application to their local NRCS office
4. Based on the application, description of conservation activities, and a follow-up interview, the NRCS will determine which program tier and enrollment category are available for the applicant.  

Basic Eligibility

Both the producer and the producer's operation must meet these basic eligibility criteria:

• The land must be privately owned, or tribal land with the majority of the land located within a priority watershed.
• The applicant must have an active interest in the agricultural operation, show control of the land for the life of the contract, and be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985.
• The applicant must share in the risk of producing any crop or livestock and be entitled to a share in the crop or livestock marketed from the operation.  All applicants must meet minimum tier eligibility and contract requirements, plus any additional requirements in the sign-up announcement.

NRCS National CSP Home Page
           
2008 CSP - Beaver Watershed

These documents require Adobe Reader.

Wyoming CSP General Fact Sheet (PDF, 216 KB)
Self Assessment, Wyoming Supplemental Questions & Records Documentation (PDF, 18 MB) 
Application Process (PDF, 114 KB)

2006 CSP Wyoming Watershed (Archived Information)
Lower Wind

2005 CSP Wyoming Watersheds (Archived Information)
Upper Lodgepole 
Lower Laramie

State Contacts

Jay Mar, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 307-233-6757
Cheryl Grapes, Resource Conservationist, Program Specialist, 307-233-6762

Last Modified: 08/11/2008