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Veneman announces
conservation security proposal
Water quality enhancement is top priority
Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman on Dec. 17 announced the release of a proposed rule to implement the new Conservation Security Program (CSP) designed to reward the best conservation stewards of the most environmentally sensitive areas in targeted watersheds.
"The Conservation Security Program will reward the best and motivate the rest by identifying those agricultural producers who historically have been the best stewards of their land while providing incentives for those who want to increase conservation practices," said Veneman. "The results will be improved soil and water quality, reduced soil erosion and enhanced critical wildlife habitat."
Authorized by the 2002 farm bill, the fundamental intent of CSP is to complement existing conservation programs by supporting ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhancing the condition of America's natural resources. To ensure that CSP's limited resources are focused first on the most pressing environmental concerns, the rule proposes to prioritize eligibility based on selected priority watersheds. The eligible watersheds would be announced and identified through a CSP sign-up notification, which is targeted for the summer of 2004.
Additionally, through intensive management to increase soil and water quality, such as conservation tillage, nutrient management and grazing management, the program is expected to yield significant benefits for critical wildlife habitat and at-risk species of wildlife.
Under the proposal, agricultural land in cropland, orchards, vineyards, pasture and range will be eligible for CSP, regardless of size, location or crops produced. Exceptions are forest land or land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program or Grassland Reserve Program.
Applicants must address water quality and soil quality concerns as program eligibility criteria and enrollment will be targeted to those demonstrating the highest levels of stewardship. CSP payment limitations will be based on three "tiers" that represent increasing levels of resource treatment. Payments rise with increased levels of treatment.
Payments can include four components: 1) an annual base component for the benchmark conservation treatment, 2) an annual existing practice component for maintaining existing conservation practices, 3) a one-time new practice component for implementing additional practices, and 4) an enhancement component for exceptional conservation effort. The three tiers are capped at $20,000, $35,000 and $45,000 annually and will last for five years for Tier I and 5-10 years for Tier II and Tier III.
Earlier this year, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register, giving the public the opportunity to comment on key issues regarding implementation of CSP. The process generated more than 700 responses and 3,000 specific comments on all aspects of the program. All comments were reviewed and considered as the proposed rule was developed. Comments on the proposed rule will be considered as the final rule is developed with specifics on program implementation.
The proposed rule, as well as additional information on CSP and other conservation programs, is available on the NRCS website at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html.
This proposed rule has a 60-day comment period, and the notice of the proposed rulemaking is scheduled for publication in the Dec. 19 Federal Register. As part of the comment process, listening sessions will be held in a number of locations across the country to gain additional input. Locations, times and additional information on the listening sessions will be published in an upcoming Federal Register notice. Comments on the CSP proposed rule may be sent to david.mckay@usda.gov or by mail to Conservation Security Program Comments, ATTN: David McKay, NRCS Conservation Operations Division, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013.
Information on the 2002 farm bill can be found at www.usda.gov/farmbill.
Date: 1/8/04
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