USDA Announces 2005 Conservation Security Program Contracts

Contact: Helen Flach (530) 792-5602

DAVIS, Calif., July 25, 2005—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today announced that USDA will offer 12,700 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contracts across the nation. These 2005 contracts being offered translate into more than a $1 billion long-term commitment to conservation over the next 10 years.

"CSP participants are conservation innovators. What they do today will lead to additional environmental benefits for the nation as they share their knowledge of conservation with others," said Conner. "The program is offered nationally on working lands rewarding the nation’s leading conservationists and providing incentives for them and others to do more."

The CSP contracts offered cover about 9 million acres of private land in the 220 watersheds nationwide. USDA expects to fully invest the $202 million provided by Congress for this fiscal year. Environmental enhancement activities offered by applicants include improving soil quality, water quality, wildlife habitat management, nutrient and pest management, air quality management and on-farm energy management.

In California, approximately $6 million annually will be awarded in 386 five to 10 year contracts to producers in the five California watersheds selected for 2005: Lower Sacramento, Sacramento-Stone Corral, Lower Butte, Lower Cosumnes-Lower Mokelumne, and Estrella. The contracts include over 180,000 acres of private land in these watersheds.

NRCS Acting State Conservationist Allen Green said, "California’s natural resources are in excellent hands with these local producers and their strong conservation work. Their efforts actively protect and enhance our natural resources, while enhancing water quality, soil quality and wildlife habitat."

While conservation incentive programs and technical assistance from NRCS date back to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s, CSP represents the first time agricultural producers are being paid for ongoing stewardship.

"All of these successful CSP applicants are model conservationists," said Green. "They have invested in conservation for years by protecting soil and water quality. Based on their conservation leadership on private lands in California, over $6 million from CSP will help local economies in these watersheds."

Work done by the producers in the selected CSP watersheds will significantly benefit both their own watersheds and the people and resources downstream. Additional watersheds will be recommended for funding in subsequent years, until all private agricultural land has an opportunity to participate.

CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of America’s natural resources. More information on CSP and other NRCS programs is available on the Web at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.

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