Conservation Security Program Sign-Up Announced for the McKenzie Watershed

CSP sign-up will be from April 18 to May 16, 2008

Click here to go to the Oregon NRCS CSP Web site.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 19, 2008
Contact information:
Sara Magenheimer, USDA NRCS Public Information Officer: (503) 414-3250, Sara.Magenheimer@or.usda.gov

PORTLAND, OREGON, March 19, 2008 — Oregon’s conservation stewards in the McKenzie Watershed, located east of Eugene, now have the opportunity to sign up for the USDA’s Conservation Security Program (CSP). USDA Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that the sign-up will run from April 18 to May 16, 2008.

CSP is a voluntary program with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that supports ongoing stewardship of private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operation.

CSP has been offered on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. The McKenzie Watershed is one of 51 watersheds across the country eligible for the current sign-up.

“NRCS has continued to work with land managers in the McKenzie to conserve and enhance their natural resources. We now have the opportunity to reward the hard work and stewardship of these landowners through the current CSP sign-up,” said Bob Graham, NRCS State Conservationist for Oregon.

Over the past few years, Oregon has awarded CSP contracts in 13 watersheds, with payments totaling over $91 million.

“Oregon farmers and ranchers are outstanding conservation stewards, as shown by the high number of CSP contract recipients and dollars awarded,” says Graham. “What they do today will lead to additional environmental benefits for the nation as they share their knowledge of conservation with others.”

Producers with the majority of their land inside the McKenzie Watershed boundaries (see attached map) have met the first criteria for CSP eligibility.

Producers who have land in the watershed should plan to attend one of the information meetings for additional details regarding CSP and producer eligibility. “Our USDA Service Center located in Eugene will be conducting local CSP workshops for landowners in the McKenzie Watershed,” said Tom Burnham, NRCS District Conservationist.

A complete list of informational workshop dates will be posted on the Oregon NRCS Web site at: http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/index.html as soon as they are scheduled. The meetings will be provided to inform interested producers and landowners about program details, eligibility and application information, and payment details.

Those interested in participating will need to fill out a CSP self-assessment workbook to find out if their operation meets the basic requirements of the program. The CSP self-assessment workbook will soon be posted on the Oregon NRCS Web site. The material will also be available in printed format at USDA Service Centers in the selected watersheds.


The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to people interested in protecting and enhancing soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands. NRCS staffs work in every county in the state and directly assist farmers, ranchers, and others. NRCS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Local contact information is located in the telephone book under the federal government listing or can be found online at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov

McKenzie Watershed

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