07/11/07 Washington CSP contract terminations upheld

Washington Ag July 11, 2007 Administrative proceedings have concluded regarding those 21 Washington producers who were notified in February 2006 that the Natural Resources and Conservation Service intended to terminate their Conservation Security Program contracts because of false or altered soil tests. Dave Brown, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, says the producers had several options of appealing but in the end the NRCS determination to terminate was upheld without exception. Brown: "And the appeals process could range anywhere from appeals at the local county committee level to our state conservationist here in Washington or all the way to our National Appeals Division. We had a number of people opt for some or all of those avenues of appeal. But in the end all 21 contract holders did repay the costs associated with their contract. The total cost recovery for all 21 contract holders was 564-thousand dollars and change." NRCS says the producers' agreement to repay does not constitute an admission of guilt and while administrative proceedings have concluded the Assistant U.S. Attorney Office's investigation remains open. I'm Bob Hoff.