Note to Editors on locations: 2006 CSP Watersheds map ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WI/csp/06/2006cspwatersheds.jpg
Grant/Little Maquoketa Watershed includes parts of Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties. See map at ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WI/csp/06/grantmap.jpg
Lake Du Bay Watershed includes parts of Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade, Portage, Clark, Wood and Taylor counties See map at ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WI/csp/06/lakedubay.jpg
MADISON, WI.....The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced the 2006 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up will be held Feb. 13 to March 31, 2006, in the two watersheds that are eligible for the program in Wisconsin this year. CSP is a voluntary program that supports ongoing stewardship of working farmland. The selected watersheds are the Grant/Little Maquoketa Watershed in southwest Wisconsin/northeast Iowa, and the Lake Du Bay Watershed in central Wisconsin.
"NRCS is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards Wisconsin’s best farmer-conservationists," said Pat Leavenworth, NRCS State Conservationist. "This program rewards those with a strong history of good stewardship and provides powerful incentives for others to follow."
USDA announced preliminary selection of 110 watersheds for the 2006 CSP last August. However, based on available funding, CSP will be offered in 60 watersheds throughout the 50 states. Both Wisconsin watersheds that were initially selected will be eligible this year.
The 2006 signup marks the third CSP enrollment. Currently, nearly 11 million acres in 220 watersheds are enrolled nationwide. Wisconsin enrolled 160,000 acres and 491 farmers from four watersheds in the two years that CSP has been offered. Last year, the average first year payment was $7,200 for CSP farmers in Wisconsin, with total CSP payments of $3.6 million for 2005.
"We urge every good conservation farmer in these two watersheds to check into this great opportunity," said Leavenworth. "Farmers need to know that this is their one chance to reap the rewards for years of good conservation,” she said. Different watersheds will be eligible next year, as funding allows.
CSP pays farmers based on Tiers, ranging from Tier 1 where soil and water resources are protected on part of the farm, to Tier 3, where all resources are protected on the whole operation. In addition, farmers may increase payments through enhancements, such as energy conservation measures, wildlife habitat, or extra nutrient and pest management practices. Payments are made annually, for five to 10 years, depending on tier level of conservation.
“CSP provides a great opportunity to reward good conservation farmers and to encourage others to protect land and water quality in their farm operations,” said Leavenworth. “It represents a whole new direction in conservation and agricultural policy and programs.”
For more information on CSP, contact the NRCS Office in the local USDA Service Center. Additional information on CSP, including a detailed maps of the land in the watersheds, is at http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/ under Conservation Security Program.
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Note: Land currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program or Grassland Reserve Program are not eligible acres for CSP.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Photos and factsheets on 2005 CSP farmers at ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WI/csp/CSPtour/
