Release No. 0005.04
Mary Cressel (202) 690-0547
USDA TO HOLD 10 NATIONAL PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS ON
THE
CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2004—Agriculture
Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service will hold 10 listening sessions
nationwide to gain feedback on a proposed rule to implement the Conservation
Security Program (CSP).
“USDA is holding the listening sessions
to give the public ample opportunity to voice their opinions about the
new program,” Veneman said. “The public input will be very
important as we develop the final regulations for program implementation.”
The CSP proposed rule was published in
the Federal Register on Jan. 2, 2004. Comments are due by March 2, 2004.
The 10 national listening sessions will be held:
Jan. 13 Tempe, Arizona
Jan. 13 Roanoke, Virginia
Jan. 21 Kerrville, Texas
Jan. 27 Spokane, Washington
Feb. 10 Lansing, Michigan
Feb. 11 Ft. Pierce, Florida
Feb. 11 Des Moines, Iowa
Feb. 11 Augusta, Maine
Feb. 11 Greenwood, Mississippi
Feb. 26 Madison, Wisconsin
Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, CSP is
a new voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing conservation
stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of
America’s natural resources.
The proposed rule and detailed information
on the national listening sessions are on the NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.
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