NB_300_23_17 - NB 300-23-17 LTP – Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Expiring Contract Renewal Opportunity Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 CSP Renewal Contracts
NB 300-23-17 LTP – Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Expiring Contract Renewal Opportunity Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 CSP Renewal Contracts
National Bulletin: 300-23-17  
Date: March 8, 2023
Subject: LTP – Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Expiring Contract Renewal Opportunity Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 CSP Renewal Contracts


Action Required By:   March 31,  2023  
 
Purpose.   To provide guidance to State Conservationists and Caribbean and Pacific Islands Area Directors for accepting and processing applications for expiring CSP contracts that will compete for FY 2024 CSP renewal funding.  
 
Expiration Date.   September 30, 2023  
 
Background.   The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) authorized NRCS to offer current CSP participants with active contracts the opportunity to apply for contract renewal during the first half of the fifth year of their existing contract.        
 
Explanation. 

States must use the guidance provided in this bulletin along with policy in Title 440, Conservation Programs Manual, Part 530, “Working Lands Conservation Program Manual”; and applicable exhibits; training; and signup documents posted on the CSP SharePoint, to notify existing 2019 CSP participants who are in the fifth year of their contract of the opportunity to apply and compete for contract renewal.  States will obligate renewal applications during the first quarter of FY 2024.

Required Actions.  NRCS will notify participants with active FY2019 contracts of the opportunity to apply for renewal consideration by March 31, 2023, using the template letter in 440-CPM-530-Q-530.320E.  Refer to policy in 440-CPM-530-Q-530.304 paragraphs B and D for guidance on the renewal application process and requirements.

The 2024 CSP Renewal signup includes applications based on the following existing contracts:

·         2019-1 General

·         2019-1 Renewal

·         2019-1 RCPP-CSP

Participants applying for renewal must submit Forms NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application; NRCS-CPA-1248, Conservation Stewardship Program Contract Renewal Offer Worksheet; and delineation maps of the entire operation to NRCS by April 28, 2023.  Applications will be entered into ProTracts as signup number CSP-2018-2024-1-Renewal.  Applications received after the signup date will be marked ineligible in ProTracts and participants will be notified according to policy in 440-CPM-530-C.

Additional guidance, as needed, for application assessments, ranking, and obligation will be provided in a future national bulletin.

Note:  States are encouraged to complete planning and Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART) assessments by September 30, 2023, to prepare for contract ranking and obligation early in the first quarter of FY 2024.

   
 
Contact.   Direct questions about this bulletin to the appropriate State contact to the Financial Assistance Programs Division SharePoint.   
 
 

 /s/

KAREN A. WOODRICH
Deputy Chief for Programs
 

 
 
 
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