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USDA Announces Sign-Up For 2006 CSP in IowaFeb. 2, 2006 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Richard Van Klaveren announced the 2006 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up will be held Feb. 13 to March 31 in the South Skunk and Grant-Little Maquoketa watersheds. "NRCS is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards Iowa’s leading conservationists," said Van Klaveren. "This year, applicants can sign-up prior to most planting decisions. We see this as a way to encourage more conservation leaders to apply for the program." To be eligible for CSP, most of a producer's agricultural operation must fall within the boundaries of the selected watershed. Applications that meet CSP's minimum requirements as set forth in the amendment to the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register March 25, 2005, will be placed in enrollment categories. Categories will be funded in alphabetical order until funds are exhausted. The CSP amendment to the Interim Final Rule is available for viewing at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/. USDA announced preliminary selection of the watersheds for fiscal year 2006 based on the President's budget request. Based on available funding, CSP will be offered in 60 watersheds across all 50 states, the Caribbean and Guam. The sign-up will only include those producers who do not have an existing CSP contract. “It disappoints me that the Middle Iowa is one of the watersheds USDA did not select for sign-up this spring,” said Van Klaveren. He is encouraging producers and landowners in the Middle Iowa watershed to maintain the records compiled for their Conservation Security Program application. “USDA may include funding for the Middle Iowa watershed in the next CSP signup. Keeping your records current will only help make the process easier and more efficient next time around,” he said. This year marks the third CSP sign-up. The privately-owned land currently enrolled in CSP covers nearly 11 million acres in 220 eligible watersheds in all 50 states and the Caribbean Area. CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. Payments are made using three tiers of conservation contracts. CSP will be available any year on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. Additional information about CSP is available from your local USDA Service Center or at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. Contact: |
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