OXFORD – Gary Raymond, executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oxford County, has announced that the agency is soliciting public input about the Emergency Conservation Program and ideas about improving the program. Interested individuals have until close of business on Monday, Dec. 24, to submit comments.

The program provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Funding is appropriated by Congress.

“FSA is inviting public comment on ECP to ensure that the full range of issues and program alternatives are addressed,” said Raymond.

He said the program offers qualified applicants assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices as determined by FSA county committees. Approved conservation practices include debris removal, fence and conservation structure restoration and livestock watering measures during drought.

Written comments on and requests for copies of the draft supplemental environmental impact statement should be directed to ECP SEIS, Geo-Marine Inc., 2713 Magruder Blvd., Suite D, Hampton, VA 23666-1572.

Related program details can be obtained by contacting Matthew Ponish via e-mail at [email protected]. To learn more about program issues and proposed alternatives, review the Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/e7-20961.pdf.