Some landowners and agricultural producers implementing water quality practices through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Conservation Reserve Program have until early August to enroll land ahead of expiring contracts.
In its April 1 news release, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a signup period for its its Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers initiative (CLEAR30), a nationwide, voluntary, incentive-based conservation opportunity "for certain landowners and agricultural producers." Those currently implementing water quality practices through USDA's Conservation Reserve Program have until Aug. 5 to enroll in 30-year contracts to extend the life and strengthen benefits on their land's "important water quality practices," the news release said.
FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux
| fsa.usda.gov/
"Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners know better than most that clean water is essential," FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said in the news release. "I am proud that, last year, we were able to successfully expand our Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers initiative nationwide, and I look forward to once again providing producers and landowners with the opportunity to participate in this initiative and build upon their conservation investments for the long-term."
Ducheneaux was appointed FSA Administrator in February of last year, according to the USDA.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides annual rental payments to landowners enrolled in the program who agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production. Instead, the farmers plant species that improve environmental health and quality over the course of 10-to-15-year contracts. The program's goal is to re-establish land cover to help improve water quality, reduce wildlife habitat loss and prevent soil erosion.
Property currently enrolled in the Continuous Conservation Reserve or Conservation Reserve Enhancement programs and being worked with eligible water quality practices such as contour strips, riparian buffers, grass waterways or wetland restoration, may be eligible if their contracts are set to expire by Sept. 30.
CLEAR30 long-term contracts would begin on Oct. 1 and are designed to ensure that the existing conservation practices remain in place for three decades, twice the length of the usual 10-to-15-year contracts. The long-term aim is to improve water quality by sediment and nutrient runoff reduction and to help prevent algae blooms.
Any landowners and producers who would like to sign up for CLEAR30 should contact their local USDA Service Center by the deadline in August. Contact information also can be found at FSA's service locator.
Fact sheets and other resources also are available at are available at Conservation Reserve Program's website.
