Arizona Ranchers Rewarded

Conservation efforts are paying off for 4 Arizona ranchers in Havasu Canyon Watershed. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will pay them $172,030 combined next year & a total of $1,341,322 through the next 10 years for their stewardship accomplishments.

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by NRCS that rewards private landowners for their ongoing stewardship of natural resources on working lands. Working lands include cropland, grassland & improved pastures, as well as forested land that is an incidental part of an agriculture operation.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced yesterday the funding of 4,404 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contracts across the U.S., Puerto Rico & Guam. "The conservation benefits derived from this program will help farmers & ranchers improve their operations & increase the quality of our natural resources, benefiting all Americans," said Johanns.

The fiscal year 2006 CSP contracts cover more than 3.7 million acres of private land in 60 watersheds nationwide, which translates to nearly a $440 million long-term investment in conservation for the next 10 years. USDA expects to fully invest the $259 million provided by Congress for fiscal year 2006. That amount covers prior CSP contracts & includes $50 million for FY 2006 contracts.

More than 8,570 applications were received during the fiscal year 2006 CSP sign-up. Environmental enhancement activities offered by applicants include improving soil quality, water quality, wildlife habitat management, nutrient & pest management, air quality management & on-farm energy management.

Payments will be made under three tiers of conservation contracts capped at $20,000, $35,000 & $45,000 annually. CSP Tier 1 contracts last for 5 years; & Tier II & Tier III contracts are 5 to 10 years. Enrollment data for FY 2006 show that 99.6% of the applications approved include the complete agricultural operation, falling into the Tier III category for the most advanced conservationists. CSP will be available each year on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows.

NRCS financial & technical assistance promotes the conservation & improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant & animal life, & other conservation purposes. To learn more about CSP, visit the web at www.az.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/index.html.