USDA issues Conservation Stewardship Program final rule, extends signup
By Agri-Pulse Staff
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Washington, June 3 –USDA published its final regulations Thursday for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and want to improve their conservation performance.
“Voluntary conservation practices by private landowners and producers are an essential part of our effort to improve soil and water quality,” Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack said. “Broad and diverse participation in the CSP program will provide producers with many benefits such as enhancing wildlife habitat and helping to mitigate the impact of climate change.”
Vilsack also announced that the enrollment period for CSP’s second year, which is currently open, has been extended an additional two weeks, now closing June 25, 2010.
Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CSP is available to all producers regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forest land, and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Under the final rule effective immediately, the program retains the broad features outlined in the interim final rule, including:
The experience gained during the program’s first year, and comments received from partners and the public during the 90-day public comment period, have contributed to a number of important changes in the program rules. The program’s new features include the following:
Other changes in the regulations give producers greater flexibility in establishing their eligibility to apply for CSP and in certifying their control of the land.
Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine whether CSP is suitable for their operation and apply prior to the closing date of June 25, 2010, when applications will be scored, ranked, and funded. The checklist, which highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations, and payments, and additional information about CSP, may be obtained from the national CSP Web site ( www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html) or individual state NRCS offices ( www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html).
USDA published the CSP interim final rule on July 29, 2009, and solicited comment through October 28, 2009. Initially scheduled to end on September 28, 2009, the comment period was extended to encourage comments throughout the program’s first enrollment period. NRCS received 1,534 comments and reviewed and considered each one. Responses to the comments are incorporated in the final rule released June 3. The final rule can be viewed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-12699.pdf
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