02/07/06 One Idaho watershed cut out of CSP

Farmers and ranchers in the Clearwater and the lower Bear River-Malad watersheds can start signing up next Monday for the Conservation Security Program. NRCS spokesman Jody Fagan says the lower Clearwater basin which affects about 90 producers has been dropped from the 2006 program because of budget problems. FAGAN "The Clearwater watershed is still in and people can start signing up on February 13th and that would include producers in Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties. And we also have the Malad-Bear River watershed that we are sharing with Utah NRCS and that what would be in Oneida County." The CSP signup will continue through March 31st. Fagan says hundreds of producers came to NRCS offices last fall and prepared for the signup in advance. FAGAN "The program is more on the shoulders of the producers. They take a look at their operation and then being our top conservationists in the state they should have all their records together and know what kind of conservation practices they're doing and they'll need to document that in our Idaho Conservation Record Book." USDA had selected 110 watersheds for CSP funding this year but when they looked at the available money CSP will only be offered in 60 watersheds. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott