03/20/06 Most appeal CSP contract termination

Washington Ag March 20, 2006 In early February the Washington State office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service sent intent to terminate notifications to 15 Conservation Security Program contract holders in the state. NRCS alleged the producers provided apparently false or altered soil test results so they could qualify for the voluntary conservation program and receive federal payments. The affected farmers in the Upper Crab Creek and Rock Creek watersheds had thirty days in which to appeal and state NRCS spokesman Ron Nichols, says most of them are. Nichols: "Fourteen of the 15 producers who received those intent to terminate letters indicated they were going to appeal the contract termination." Nichols says one producer said he would cancel the CSP contract and repay payments that have been made. As for those appealing, they have several options. Nichols: "The first option is to appeal to the FSA County Committee and their second option is to request mediation." The final option is to appeal to USDA's National Appeals Division in Washington D.C. Nichols says an investigation by the USDA's Inspector General's office was still ongoing as of last week. I'm Bob Hoff.