Improving USDA Conservation Programs in the Farm Bill

Read the April 24 Farm Bill letter to the president.

TRCP Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Releases Growing Conservation Report

To view the full report, click here.

This regularly renewed legislation provides the conservation community with an unparalleled opportunity to partner with the farming and ranching community to encourage expanded and enhanced fish and wildlife habitat. Proven programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) have made tens of millions of acres on America’s farms and ranches more hospitable to fish and wildlife. Hunters in particular know what an incredible boon these programs have been, having experienced much better days afield since their inception.

Newer programs like the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), if funded adequately, can expand quality habitat even more than the programs above have already. The next Farm Bill provides an excellent opportunity to increase the effectiveness of the more recently established Conservation Security Program (CSP), there by offering more landowners the option of incorporating fish and wildlife habitatdirectly into their farming and ranching operations.

With the new Farm Bill set for enactment in the coming months, TRCP partner organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the Izaak Walton League of America, Pheasants Forever, the Wildlife Management Institute, the Wildlife Society, BASS and the North American Grouse Partnership, are working together to make sure this new Farm Bill achieves even greater fish and wildlife conservation benefits. We believe it is imperative during the formulation of the 2007 Farm Bill for the hunting and fishing community to coordinate closely with the farming and ranching communities and their associated organizations. The partner organizations will seek to achieve such coordination through this initiative.

Legislative Update

In the last month, there has been a final push to get a new Farm Bill done. The House named their Conferees on April 9. This new momentum begat an offer from the House, a counter offer from the Senate and a series of lengthy meetings to work out the differences between the two. Legislators had given themselves until April 18 and now feel they are far enough along to pass a series of very short extensions to get the final details nailed down. While the new deadline is now April 25, Congressional leaders acknowledge they may need a couple more weeks to actually move the final bill to a vote and have the president sign it.

While details on the final package are still to be worked out, both Senate and House versions include at least a $4 billion increase for the conservation title. The Senate also seeks to include some new tax credits and incentives that would increase that amount slightly. At issue is figuring out acceptable ways to pay for all these and other priorities that have been influencing the debate.

While the progress is encouraging, two important new elements sought by sportsmen are at risk in the final deal making. "Open Fields," the federal grants for states to implement public access programs, is one program that is suffering as the negotiations to compromise on final bill language plays out. The Senate version is written to provide guaranteed funding for the program while the House bill would subject it to the annual appropriations process. The TRCP and our partners support the Senate version of the bill. The House bill also adds a restriction to states that set different waterfowl hunting seasons for residents and non-residents. Another important innovation that is being targeted as expendable are the Sodsaver provisions that would remove certain federally funded incentives for landowners to plow up native prairie grasslands. There are a handful of legislators that are currently objecting to this provision.

It is critical that a new Farm Bill be passed within weeks. The longer this process continues the more likely needed funding increases and innovative new programs for conservation could be scrapped. Even worse, a long-term extension of the old Farm Bill would be a major setback to the good conservation work being done by vital programs that risk elimination without a new bill. Please click here to contact Congress today and let them know sportsmen and conservation need a new Farm Bill.

Through it all, the TRCP and its partner organizations continue to push for a strong conservation title no matter when or how the final outcome is achieved. The TRCP will continue to engage sportsmen and –women, like you, and keep you informed on the latest developments. Thanks to your efforts, we have made significant progress so far. With your enduring help, we can continue to influence the debate and grow conservation in the Farm Bill.

Click here to send a letter to your Members of Congress telling them just how important the conservation programs are in the Farm Bill.

Click here to learn more about TRCP's Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group (AWWG).

Click here for TRCP Vice President of Policy Terry Riley's report on major issues and priorities in front of the hunting, fishing and conservation community as we approach the construction of the 2007 Farm Bill.

For more information on the Farm Bill, please contact:

Geoff Mullins , Initiative Manager

Terry Riley, Vice President for Policy

Greg Holyfield, Lower Mississippi River Field Representative

Tim Balzer, Upper Mississippi River Field Representative