Conservation Security Program: Implementation and Current Issues

Publication Date: February 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

The Conservation Security Program (CSP), authorized in the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171), is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote conservation and improvement of natural resources on tribal and private working lands within selected watersheds. CSP is administered by USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Financial assistance is based on three tiers of participation, with each tier representing a higher degree of resource management standards. Contracts extend from 5 to 10 years.

The first enrollment for CSP was in July 2004 and included 18 watersheds in 22 states. The 2004 enrollment was controversial because NRCS instituted strict eligibility criteria for enrollment that were not included in the CSP authorization. A second enrollment in November 2005 was implemented in 220 watersheds nationwide. These two enrollments resulted in 15,000 contracts with landowners on 12.1 million acres of working agricultural lands. A third enrollment period was announced in February 2006, and 4,323 contracts were accepted adding more than 3.6 million acres. Most of these contracts fell into the two highest tiers of conservation. The 2006 enrollment included 60 additional watersheds, and also encompassed Guam and the Caribbean. FY2006 funding was limited to $259 million, with approximately $50 million available for new contracts. USDA has announced that it has no funding for new contracts in FY2007. This report will be updated periodically.