the minnesota project   
RR 1 Box 81B
Canton MN  55922
(507) 743-8300
<A HREF="http://www.mnproject.org/">www.mnproject.org</A>   
…connecting rural and environmental issues
…connecting people with policy 

Action Needed to Support the Conservation Security Program

 USDA is moving forward on the Conservation Security Program and requests 
public comments on how to implement the program.  The Advanced Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking requires comments by March 20, 2002.  

While there will be another opportunity to comment when the actual rules are 
published, it is important to send comments in response to this request.  
First, a wide range of public comments supporting the Conservation Security 
Program is needed to convince Administration officials that the agricultural 
community is in favor of the program.  The volume of positive comments could 
be as important as the substance of the comments – so even brief letters are 
encouraged.  Second, this provides an important opportunity to influence how 
the program will ultimately be implemented on the ground.  

Important input to USDA includes these points:
       Accelerate the rules process to launch the CSP on a nationwide basis, 
allowing for significant enrollment this year. 
       Run the CSP as an entitlement conservation program – open to all 
producers who develop an approved conservation plan.  No waiting lists, 
selection processes, or bidding systems. 
       “Reward the best and motivate the rest.”  Provide financial 
assistance for those who are now addressing resource needs, and for those who 
want to improve or add new conservation practices.  Allow one contract per 
individual. 
       Support restoration of full funding when Congress considers lifting 
the $3.77 billion cap.

Email comments to <A HREF="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>, subject “Conservation Security 
Program.”  Or mail them to Mark Berkland, USDA – NRCS, PO Box 2890, 
Washington, DC 20013-2890 in time for the March 20 deadline. 

The full notice with the 15 questions is available on the web at <A HREF="http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/rules/csp030110.htm">
www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/rules/csp030110.htm</A>.

Further information is available at <A HREF="http://www.mnproject.org/">www.mnproject.org</A>. 

Background Information The Conservation Security Program was was designed to 
reward all farmers who voluntarily implement effective conservation on their 
working lands.  Farmers will receive public support as they provide public 
benefits to the nation’s natural resources.  They will solve critical 
resource problems, with graduated rewards for increasing efforts.  Both 
current and new conservation practices will receive incentives – thus 
recognizing the good stewards of today while encouraging others to join their 
ranks.  All regions of the country and all types of agriculture will 
participate on a fair and equitable basis.   

In sum, CSP promises to be the most innovative and exciting program in the 
agricultural conservation toolbox, and a critical new component of U.S. farm 
policy both now and for years to come. 

The rulemaking process on CSP has moved slowly since passage of the 2002 farm 
bill last May.  A February 7, 2003 deadline was missed, but issuance of this 
request for comments signals that USDA has reached a point in the process 
where they seek public input to help them quickly polish up the rules and 
launch the program. 

The spending bill recently passed by Congress guarantees the CSP will be 
launched as a national program with $3.77 billion over ten years, nearly 
double the estimate during consideration of the farm bill.  In fact, the CSP 
had recently received a new estimate of $7.77 billion, presumably a 
reflection of high enthusiasm for the new program among farmers.  
Unfortunately, a last minute deal capped the Conservation Security Program to 
pay for disaster assistance -- which kept it as an entitlement program but 
with the big difference that enrollment would halt when the $3.77 billion cap 
is reached.  However, Senate leaders signed a commitment to seek full 
restoration of the program in another bill, possibly this year.  

Loni Kemp
Senior Policy Analyst, The Minnesota Project
RR 1 Box 81B
Canton MN 55922
507-743-8300
<A HREF="http://www.mnproject.org/">www.mnproject.org</A>
 
 
Amanda Bilek, Program Assistant
The Minnesota Project
1885 University Ave. Suite 315
St. Paul, MN 55104
P: 651-645-6159 x 6
F: 651-645-1262