USDA Announces CSP Rule Changes, Additional Workshops Scheduled

April 13, 2005

With the ongoing Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up through May 27, 2005 in the North Raccoon Watershed, the USDA has announced rule changes and key points producers should be aware of.

Rules changes and key points for the 2005 CSP sign-up: 

• A “majority” of an ag operation must be in the North Raccoon Watershed.
• Each person or entity (i.e. partnership, trust, corporation) may submit only ONE application.
• Each person or entity (i.e. partnership, trust, corporation) may receive payment from only ONE contract.
• The regulatory cap from 2004 has been eliminated allowing all operations, regardless of size, the ability to achieve the contract payment limits if they produce valuable environmental benefits.
• Enhancement payment limits have increased to:

                $13,750 for Tier I
                $21,875 for Tier II
                $28,125 for Tier III

• An eligibility requirement has been added to protect and enhance riparian corridors to Tier III contracts.
• Enhancement payments are changed to variable rate for benchmark (existing) enhancements, which allows for additional enhancements in the out-years of each contract.
• A streamlined internal software has been added to expedite both the interview and payment process.

With these changes, the USDA has added three informational meetings for landowners and operators in the North Raccoon River Watershed. The first meeting is Tuesday, May 3 at the AEA Building in Storm Lake; the second meeting is Wednesday, May 4 in the Rockwell City-Lytton High School Auditorium in Rockwell City; the third meeting is Thursday, May 5 in the Clover Building on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson. All meetings begin at 9 a.m.

Due to limited space, please reserve your seat by e-mailing a reservation to CSP.NRaccoon.RSVP@ia.usda.gov or by calling 1-866-578-3927.

Contact:
Lane Collins,
District Conservationist, NRCS
712-662-7773 

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