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Controls Over the Conservation Stewardship Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number:
10601-0001-32
Report Type
Audit
Component
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$7,316,969
Funds for Better Use
$4,189,571

Recommendations

For the five contracts in which the agricultural operations were not substantially separate from other agricultural operations, require the State Conservationist to (1) coordinate with FSA to determine the proper delineation and (2) determine if the participants engaged in any misrepresentation, scheme, or device for CSP purposes. If the State Conservationist determines the participants engaged in misrepresentation, scheme, or device, terminate the participants’ interests in all CSP contracts and determine whether there is cause for consideration of suspension and debarment for the participants. If participants did not engage in misrepresentation, scheme, or device, modify or terminate the contract and deobligate funds, as appropriate.

USDA OIG has determined that this recommendation contains sensitive information and will not be publicly released due to privacy concerns.

USDA OIG has determined that this recommendation contains sensitive information and will not be publicly released due to privacy concerns.

For each of the 29 contracts on which the participants claimed payment shares inconsistent with their reported member shares of the operation, recover any overpayments and liquidated damages resulting from operational adjustments to, or termination of, the contracts. For any cases in which the State Conservationist determines the participants engaged in any misrepresentation, scheme, or device, recover any overpayments and liquidated damages resulting from termination of the participants’ interests in all other CSP contracts.

USDA OIG has determined that this recommendation contains sensitive information and will not be publicly released due to privacy concerns.