Funds Available for Hamakua and Ka`u

Honolulu, August 8, 2007 -- The United States Department of Agriculture announced the release of additional funding for Conservation Security Program (CSP), which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

"NRCS is committed to providing a fair and equitable program that rewards Hawaii's leading conservationists," said Lawrence Yamamoto, Director of the NRCS Pacific Islands Area. "Last year we recognized stellar land stewards on Oahu's North Shore. This year the program is open to Hamakua and Ka`u producers on the Big Island," said Yamamoto.

Funds will be made available for both the completion of payments on fiscal year 2007 CSP contracts as well as to prepare for a future program signup. Specifically, $35 million has been made available to complete payments to producers who received only partial funding for their fiscal year 2007 payment.

In addition, $2.93 million is being made available to help producers and NRCS field staff prepare for a future program signup in the Hamakua and Ka`u watersheds. These watersheds represent more than 64,500 of the nation's potentially eligible farms and ranches, covering nearly 24 million acres of cropland and grazing land. The funding announced today was made possible through a supplemental appropriations bill provided by Congress on May 25, 2007.

A list of the eligible watersheds can be viewed at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/. USDA offers CSP in new watersheds annually on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. For more information about CSP, including a map of targeted watersheds and eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp or visit the NRCS office at 154 Waianuenue Ave., room 322 in Hilo. Harry Toki, NRCS district conservationist can be reached at (808) 933-8353.

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