HONOLULU, July 25, 2005 – The United States
Department of Agriculture announced that 12,700 Conservation Security Program
(CSP)
contracts across the nation have been approved. Of those, Hawaii holds seven
contracts, totaling $90,540. These
contracts translate into more than a $1 billion long-term commitment to
conservation over the next ten years.
“The people and businesses selected this year to participate in the
Conservation Security Program have worked for years to protect the natural
resources of Hawaii. We are honored to be in a position to recognize their
great work and their commitment to land stewardship,” said Lawrence Yamamoto,
Hawaii State Conservationist. The Conservation Security Program is administered
through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“Next year, the proposed CSP sign-ups will be for producers in the Waianae and
North Shore watersheds on Oahu, and Hamakua and Hilo watersheds on the Big
Island. There are many great land stewards in these four watersheds that will
meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the Conservation Security
Program, and final determinations will be announced shortly,” said Jan Surface,
Hawaii CSP Program Manager.
The CSP contracts in Hawaii cover 6518.7 acres of private land in four
watersheds that were selected for 2005. Those include Koloa and Lihue
watersheds on Kauai, and Hana and Kahikinui watersheds on Maui. Environmental
enhancement activities by the selected applicants include improving soil
quality, water quality, wildlife habitat management, nutrient and pest
management, air quality management and on-farm energy management.
Following the process outlined in the CSP sign-up notice published in the
Federal Register on March 25, 2005, applications will be offered according to
the published enrollment categories, in order, until the funding is exhausted.
NRCS also extended the comment period on the interim final rule for CSP to Sept.
9, 2005. This extension will give the public additional time to comment on key
issues regarding implementation of the program. The extension notice was
published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2005. Comments can be made via
the Federal Register at the Regulations web site
farmbillrules@wdc.usda.gov.
CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of
private agriculture lands by providing payments for maintaining and enhancing
natural resources. NRCS financial and technical assistance promotes the
conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life,
and other conservation purposes. CSP will be available each year on a
rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. Additional
information on CSP, including the self-assessment workbook and Federal Register
notice, is at www.hi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.html. USDA is an equal
opportunity employer and provider.
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For more information, contact:
Jan Surface (808) 541-2600 ext. 153 in Honolulu
Lex Riggle (808) 245-9014 ext. 101 in Lihue
Ranae Ganske-Cerizo (808) 244-3100 ext. 107 in Wailuku
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