Three Mississippi Watersheds Included In Historic Expansion of the National Conservation Security Program

 Jackson, Mississippi—Three Mississippi watersheds were among two hundred two across the nation invited to participate in a historic new program designed to reward farmers for long-term stewardship.  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman announced the selected watersheds recently and said that sign-ups for the 2005 Conservation Security Program (CSP) would begin this winter.

CSP, part of the 2002 Farm Bill, was introduced last summer in 18 watersheds nationwide.  In this first opportunity for farmers from each state to participate, about one eighth of the Nation’s eligible farmers will be given the chance to apply each year over an eight-year period.

The three watersheds selected are:

Lower Big Black lies solely within Mississippi in the central region of the state. It covers 1,214,000 acres, 1,769 farms, 6 counties and 6 conservation districts. Major agriculture enterprises include livestock grazing and hay production on introduced forages, rows crops and small grains.  The Lower Big Black River is the only free-flowing stream that drains directly into the Mississippi River and is an important stream for recreational use.

Mississippi Coastal Stream Watershed lies in southeastern Mississippi.  It covers 1,055,300 acres, 1,202 farms, 6 counties and 6 conservation districts. The major agriculture enterprise includes livestock grazing and hay production on introduced forages.  The Mississippi Coastal Stream flows directly into the Gulf of Mexico and has a significant impact on commercial fisheries and recreational use.

Pascagoula River lies solely within Mississippi in the southeastern region of the state. It covers 386,008 acres, 542 farms, 3 counties, and 3 conservation districts.  The major agriculture enterprise includes livestock grazing and hay production on introduced forages.  The Pascagoula River is a major fishing and recreational stream.

“As an agency and as a Nation we have helped farmers and ranchers fix conservation problems such as soil erosion or water conservation since the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s,” said Homer Wilkes, Mississippi State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) overseeing CSP. “This however, represents a whole new direction in conservation and agricultural policy and programs. These payments for demonstrable long-term stewardship will reward many of those who undertook conservation on their own initiative and who care for the resources we all share.”

Participants will be enrolled in one of three tiers in the program, depending on the extent of the conservation treatment in place on their farm.   Payments will be based in part on this existing conservation treatment as well as their willingness to undertake additional environmental enhancements.

Wilkes said that while protecting soil and water quality are the “price of admission” farmers will also have options to improve wildlife habitat, improve air quality, participate in watershed-wide stewardship programs, and improve nutrient and pest management activities.

NRCS will offer local workshops in the selected watersheds to more fully explain the program to interested potential participants.  CSP will continue to be offered each year, on a rotational basis, in as many watersheds as funding allows.