OT: Conservation Stewardship Program

[Butch Crain]

The 2008 Farm Bill included a much improved Conservation Stewardship Program that includes a wide range of forest improvement, management, and protection activities that can be cost shared.

A PDF of the approved activities can be seen at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_c ... CC1200.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, which usually has a local office covering several counties) administrates the program, has an overview at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's also a discussion of the program at the Center for Rural Affairs website at http://www.cfra.org/csp-new-improved" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you need assistance in applying, you can search for a certified forester at http://www.safnet.org/certifiedforester ... rester.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (a plug, I'm listed in Louisiana and can work in Arkansas, but there are many resident consulting foresters in Arkansas that are certified by the Society of American Foresters and included in the search data base).

The cutoff for this fiscal year's approval is the end of September - if you miss this year, start an application for next year.

[raysuf]

CSP is open to all agricultural producers. To see if the program is right for you, check out the " Producer Self Screening Checklist" http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_c ... cklist.pdf

To find a Field Service Center near you, check out: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

T. Ray Sufczynski
District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service

PS: Thank you Butch for helping promote a great opportunity.

[prophet]

would an erosion control action be something that would qualify under this program? Private timber land near me has an old logging road running straight into the mulberry and is washing badly, wondered if something like that qualifies

[Half Ton]

What about a regular landowner who is not a producer and has land that is not being used for production of any kind ?

I know a place where about 15 landowners on both sides of a creek want to quit losing property and barns. It is sad because not all of them can afford it and the ones who can don't want to.

It could easily cost 1,000,000 or more to restore a nearly six mile stretch of stream bank.

I hate to see people who aren't farmers without some type of cost-share option. Especially when they all want to be part of the solution to pollution.

Any thoughts ?

[Butch Crain]

On page 11 of the approved activities there's "Stream Habitat Improv/Mgmt" which includes "...restore physical,...functions of a stream, and its associated riparian zone,...".

As far as "production" goes, my clients and I have for many years set aside riparian areas and special places, essentially eliminating any income stream from those areas. It can total a significant amount of the property - 1,200 acres of a 3,000 acre property, in one case. My understanding is that there may now be cost sharing for the planning and management costs of establishing the preservation of those sites. I have no problem cutting trees, but it's nice to know that air & water quality, wildlife, and recreation are all recognized as qualities also "produced" by land. Not to mention that it helps quantify a lot of the work that I sometimes do free of charge.

My experience is that local NRCS reps are more than willing to interpret these rules in ways that help qualify landowners sincerely wanting to improve and stabilize their properties.

Doesn't hurt to go ask anyway.

[raysuf]

Those issues would possibly be addressed better with other programs NRCS offers.

Half Ton: Most of the programs that are offered are for "working" land. There needs to be some production of food or fiber. There are guidelines for that and sometimes people are eligible even though it would seem they are. I don't mean to be vague, but a land owner that has an issue and is looking for assistance should contact their local Conservation District.

[Half Ton]

Thanks for the info fellas.

However, Butch - I am not looking to help this particular group of 15 -20 people preserve anything. The streambank is 10 feet tall and cut straight up and down on one side, the other, or both for about 6 miles. If there was something to preserve, believe me I would encourage that and know about those programs.

EQIP - WHIP - ANRC Riparian Preservation/restoration Tax Credit.

I am talking about restoring. Restoration. Putting back what is gone, now that it's value and function has been realized after these people have either been handed down this problem from the previous land owner or unwittingly cleared too close to this creek to deal with the regular blasting of stormwater runoff that comes from 4 cities and erodes an acre at a time.


This is not a normal situation, but is one that I feel is becoming more common.

There is a FSA (farm service agency) - CREP (conservation reserve enhancement program) $33,000,000 for producers or owners of marginal working land to retire flood plain fields and plant trees - only problem is planting trees wont save a cut stream bank. Also, there must be an 80 % survival rate and permenant fencing which will get flooded and need replacing often. To enroll in the program could cost more money in the long run.

For a riparian area that is still in good shape (i.e. stable bank) the program will work.

I am talking about restoration of streambanks only though - for now. Once they are restored they can be preserved. No prob - I'm with you on that.

Ray -

Unfortuneately the needed restoration is not mostly for people who produce a commodity of food or fiber. It is needed for people who own land that is not farmed in anyway and there is no history of farming for the past 10 years at least. These places used to be pasture but are not 10 acres of bermuda or fescue turfgrass which is mowed with lawn mower. So finding working land is possible on maybe 25% of the stream reach maybe, but it is not the whole reach and fixing part of it will not fix it all. It is a sad situation.

This will take more than a 1,000,000 for all of these owners to have the stream reach restored. This is a specific situation that does not meet the requirement critera for most CD or NRCS specifications.

What is the most relevant NRCS program - does it exist? IF it doesnt exist what is needed to make it happen.

To me, nothing sucks worse than seeing people who want to help themselves and the environment, but can't afford to pay tens or hundreds of thousands a piece to actually restore the streambanks to fix their piece of the problem.

I'm just trying to quiz you guys on the most likely route since you clearly know what is available.

Thanks again for the coaching. Any advice is appreciated.