Oahu Ag Producers Recognized

HONOLULU, June 9, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the funding of 4,404 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contracts across the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam. Oahu is the recipient of $90,937 this year.

"NRCS is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards Hawaii's leading land stewards," said Lawrence T. Yamamoto, Director of the Pacific Islands Area for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Last year we recognized stellar land stewards on Kauai and Maui, this year we are pleased to recognize North Shore, Oahu producers," said Yamamoto.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that rewards private landowners for their ongoing stewardship of natural resources. CSP touches all agricultural production sectors from livestock operations to cropland and from orchards and vineyards to sugar bush and nursery crops. The 2006 contracts encourage them to further conserve and improve soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on their operations, while, at the same time, creating
incentives for other producers to meet those same standards of conservation performance.

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

Payments will be made under three tiers of conservation contracts capped at $20,000, $35,000 and $45,000 annually. CSP contracts last for five years for Tier I contracts and 5-10 years for Tier II and Tier III contracts. 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
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. Please contact Jan Surface at 808-541-2600 ext. 153 for further details on the Conservation Security Program in Hawaii. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

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