Wisconsin Ag Connection - Wisconsin Watershed Eligible for Conservation Security Program

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Wisconsin Watershed Eligible for Conservation Security Program
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/25/2008

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that the Milwaukee River Watershed will be eligible for the Conservation Security Program in 2008. CSP is a voluntary program that supports stewardship and conservation on working farmland. During this 2008 sign-up, the Milwaukee River Watershed is the only watershed open for the program in Wisconsin.

"Those who depend on the land to make a living are the best stewards of the land," said Pat Leavenworth, NRCS State Conservationist for Wisconsin. "Since the first sign-up in 2004, CSP has offered payments for enhancing natural resources, rewarding those farmers who are good conservationists, and providing incentives for other producers to achieve those same high standards of conservation in agriculture."

Nationally, the CSP sign-up is open in 51 watersheds from April 18 to May 16. The sign-up announcement and specific program requirements are being published in the Federal Register. USDA announced preliminary selection of 51 watersheds in 2007. However, sign-ups were postponed pending Congressional action on a new Farm Bill and on agricultural appropriations.

According to Leavenworth, the CSP sign up in Wisconsin will be open in the Milwaukee River watershed, which includes portions of Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties. The entire watershed covers over 550,000 acres and will be available to an estimated 1,500 farmers and landowners in Wisconsin.

This sign-up marks the fourth year Wisconsin has had eligible watersheds. CSP was first offered in 2004.