the nrcs implemented the csp on a watershed basis instead of a nationwide basis because they believed a staged, watershed-based implementation of csp made the most sense – economically, practically, and administratively. they feel that focusing on high priority watersheds will reduce the administrative burden on applicants, and will reduce the costs of processing a large number of applications that cannot be funded. also, the nrcs expects that a significant number of producers will seek participation in the conservation security program and ask for assistance to determine their potential eligibility for the program. by law, the nrcs cannot incur technical assistance costs in excess of 15 percent of the funds expended in that fiscal year for the csp. given this modest service funding, the nrcs must focus and limit the land and landowners that its conservations can serve at one time. offering the conservation security program in only selected watersheds provides that focus (4,6).