Now is the crucial time to send the message loud and clear: We want a full and quickly implemented Conservation Security Program! CSP holds great promise for rewarding farmers based on how they are protecting and improving the environment.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has asked for general input on the program, in the form of an Advanced Notice of Rulemaking. The letter below is a sample -- please add one or two points of your own, expand on a particular point, or add a personal story or comment. Email, as well as snail mail comments are welcomed: [log in to unmask] Comments are due MARCH 20.

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) has prepared a full set of comments on the Advanced Notice. All groups and individuals are asked to endorse those comments as well.  (SAC comments will be sent in another email.)

For more information on this program, visit www.mnproject.org or www.landstewardshipproject.org. To read the Advanced Notice, to to www.nrcs.usda.gov and select "Farm Bill 2002."


THE SAMPLE LETTER:

RE: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2003 (Fed. Reg. Vol. 68, No 32, pages 7720-7722).

Mark W. Berkland
Director, Conservation Operations Division
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, D.C. 20013-2890


Dear Mr. Berkland:

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY IF YOU ARE A FARMER, CONSUMER, ETC. AND MENTION ANY AGRICULTURAL GROUPS YOUR BELONG TO. IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING THE COMMENT ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION, PLEASE INCLUDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE GROUP.
 
The Conservation Security Program promises to be the most innovative and exciting program in the federal agricultural conservation toolbox and a critical new component of U.S. farm policy. I urge you to ensure that the program fulfills its promise.

Many of us have waited years for a program such as this, which rewards conservation farmers who have been doing what's right all along and encourages them to do more. Conservation farmers provide many benefits to all Americans in the form of clean air, clean water, habitat and soil protection, and more. This program rewards practices that solve critical resource problems.

The Administration should make the Conservation Security Program a major priority. I (WE) respectfully request that you:

1.  Accelerate the rule making process and launch the CSP in time to allow for significant enrollment opportunities in Fiscal Year 2003. The statutory deadline for writing rules to implement the CSP has already passed.

2.  Ensure immediate implementation on a comprehensive, nationwide basis. The CSP is intended for all regions of the country and all types of agriculture. 

3.  Uphold and defend CSP's status as a conservation entitlement program, as the law requires. Once producers meet the strict requirements for approval of their conservation plan, they should be enrolled in a contract - no delays, selection processes, bidding systems, or waiting lists.

4.  Require strong conservation and environment standards, and reward strong environmental performance.

5.  Retain the real payment limitations required by the law. No loopholes or exceptions should be enacted via regulation, manual, or practice.  Enforcement of the limitations should be strict.

6.  Support restoration of full funding. The recently signed omnibus appropriations bill caps the CSP at $3.77 billion through 2013. We urge you to give strong support to the bipartisan Senate leadership commitment to remove this cap in upcoming legislation and restore the program to its full uncapped 2002 Farm Bill funding.

I would like to associate myself (OR MY GROUP) with the detailed comments submitted in response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on behalf of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. I concur with their answers to your questions and endorse their recommendations.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I look forward to watching the program as it develops.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME (AND ORGANIZATION, IF RELEVANT) HERE






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