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Conservation Stewardship Program- CSP
Fall 2009 signup period
What is the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)? The CSP is a revision of the Conservation Security Program that was piloted in the 2002 Farm Bill. The earlier version was only available in pre-selected watersheds while the newer version will be nationwide (though reviewed and ranked by sub-regions in Wyoming for funding contracts). While other programs administered by the NRCS mostly pay for structural practices (wells, pipelines, ponds, etc.), the new CSP program is designed to pay for enhancements operators apply using management-related practices such as grazing land rotations, crop rotations and wildlife habitat options. Just as the name implies, becoming a better steward of our natural resources.
The first step in the CSP process will be a screening and review process to determine land eligibility. Eligible land uses in Wyoming include cropland, rangeland, pastureland and private forest land. Public lands are not eligible. You will need to prepare an inventory map identifying land uses and complete a resource inventory. This will take about 3-4 hours in the office that identifies current management strategies addressing 8 different resource concerns. They are: Soil Quality, Water Quality, Water Quantity, Plants, Animals, Soil Erosion, Air Quality and Energy. The first 5 concerns are of higher priority in Wyoming. A minimum threshold score must be met to be eligible. Then the operator must select management options that improve stewardship of selected concerns by land use. The level of environmental benefit to be achieved will be used to determine eligibility, rank applications and establish payments. If approved, a 5 year stewardship plan and contract may be written. Until the first allocation process is complete, we won’t know what the typical annual per acre payment rate for Wyoming will be. The maximum annual contract payment to an operator is $40,000 per year or $200,000 for a 5 year contract.
Before a contract is written, an on-site visit will be made by an NRCS employee to confirm the resource inventory. Following this visit, the operator will be responsible for the documentation and certification of the management practices agreed to in the stewardship plan. The NRCS may also do random spot checks to verify compliance. Non-compliance may result in contract termination proceedings. The first round batching/cutoff date will be Sept 30, 2009. Remember…this is not a program to install structural practices. Instead, this program rewards operators for applying management practices that address identified resource concerns. Contact the local NRCS office at 738-2321 for more information.
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