The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will hold a public listening session in St. Cloud to gain feedback on a proposed rule to implement the new Conservation Security Program (CSP). The meeting will be held from 10 a.m.-12 noon Thursday, Jan. 29, at the St. Cloud City Hall. This session is one of five public listening sessions scheduled across Minnesota to gather public comment on the proposed rules during a 60-day comment period. The Conservation Security Program, authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of America’s natural resources. The program is designed to reward the best conservation stewards of the most environmentally sensitive areas in targeted watersheds. “We are hosting this listening session to give the public ample opportunity to voice their opinions about the new program,” said Steve Sellnow, NRCS District Conservationist for Stearns County. “Last year, we used the public’s ideas and suggestions to develop the proposed rule and now we are asking for comments that will help guide us in developing the final regulations for program implementation.” Public comments at the listening session will be limited to five minutes per speaker. Those who wish to speak may make arrangements in advance by calling Julie MacSwain at (651) 602-7859, or they may sign up during the listening session at the St. Cloud City Hall. Written statements will be accepted at the listening session or comments may be submitted by mail, e-mail or fax to: Conservation Security Program Comments, ATTN: David McKay, NRCS Conservation Operations Division, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013. E-mail comments to david.mckay@usda. gov. Comments may be faxed to (202) 720-4265. The CSP proposed rule was published in the Federal Register Jan. 2; comments are due by March 2. The proposed rule and additional information on the program can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communications of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720 5964 (voice and TDD). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
