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USDA to change evaluation tool for CSP program

USDA to change evaluation tool for CSP program

By Wildlife Management Institute

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will make changes to its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) beginning October 1, 2016.

The program, which began as the Conservation Security Program in 2002, had 2,000 acres enrolled during its first year. It evolved over time, and the name was changed to the Conservation Stewardship Program. More than 70 million acres have been enrolled nationwide since 2010.

CSP is a voluntary program offered by USDA in which producers receive payments for managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities while maintaining active agricultural production on their lands.

Contracts for the program cover five years with an option to renew for an additional five. Payment rates increase as producers increase conservation activities.

A tool called the Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT) is used to evaluate operations and determine payments. Because CMT results have been difficult to understand and explain, the USDA is developing a new process to assess applications and establish payment levels.

The new evaluation process is intended to be more logical, easier to understand, and better integrated with other USDA conservation programs. There will be more opportunity to customize conservation efforts to address state’s needs and to target activities to specific areas.

CSP is administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. More information about CSP can be found on the program website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

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