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NRCS Announces Sign-up for 2006 Conservation Security Program in Maryland

Sign-up will begin February 13, 2006 and end on March 31, 2006

(Annapolis, MD), February 2, 2006 -- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Virginia (Ginger) L. Murphy announced that the sign-up period for the 2006 Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be held from February 13, 2006 to March 31, 2006.  The Choptank Watershed in Maryland and portions of Delaware's Nanticoke Watershed (which extends into Maryland) are the only watersheds eligible for CSP enrollment in Maryland this year. These watersheds include all of Caroline County and portions of Queen Anne's, Talbot, Dorchester, and Wicomico Counties.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing natural resources. Last year, farmers in  Maryland's two eligible watersheds, the Monocacy and the Chester-Sassafras Watersheds, enrolled 103,200 acres in 359 contracts and received more than $4.3 million in first year payments. Over the life of the FY05 CSP contracts, Maryland farmers are expected to receive more than $26.9 million.

In August 2005, USDA announced a preliminary selection of 110 watersheds nationwide, which included two Maryland watersheds. The preliminary list was based on the President's budget request and included the Patapsco-Liberty Reservoir Watershed in Carroll and Baltimore Counties and the Choptank Watershed on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Now, based on available funding provided through Congressional appropriations, CSP will only be offered in 60 watersheds across the Nation, the Caribbean and Guam. Funding was allocated to the highest priority watersheds as recommended to the State Conservationists by the State Technical Committees. The sign-up will only include those producers who do not have existing CSP contracts from the FY2004 or FY2005 sign-ups.

"NRCS is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards Maryland's leading conservationists," said Murphy. "This year, applicants in the CSP watershed can sign-up prior to most planting decisions. We see this as a way to encourage more conservation leaders to apply for the program."

Farmers can begin the application process for CSP by filling out a self-assessment workbook to determine if they meet the basic qualifications for CSP. Self-assessment workbooks are available in paper copy at USDA Service Centers located within the watersheds. After completing the self-assessment workbook, farmers should contact their local NRCS office to schedule an appointment to discuss their application and determine if they meet specific CSP eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for CSP, most of a producer's agricultural operation must fall within the boundaries of the selected watershed. Applications that meet CSPs minimum requirements, as set forth in the amendment to the Interim Final published in the Federal Register March 25, 2005, will be placed in enrollment categories based on environmental performance. Categories will be funded beginning with the highest category until funds are exhausted. The CSP amendment to the Interim Final Rule is available for viewing at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/.

2006 marks the third year for CSP sign-up. The privately-owned land currently enrolled in CSP covers nearly 11 million acres in 220 eligible watersheds in all 50 states and the Caribbean Area. CSP will be available each year on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. Additional information about CSP is available from your local USDA Service Center listed below or at www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.

Maryland NRCS Offices