Farm Bill Dedicates Record Funding for Conservation Farming

Ducks Unlimited
Friday, 3 May 2002

The House and Senate Farm Bill conferees have released their agreement on a six year Farm Bill that would dedicate a record $17.1 billion to conservation programs. Officials from Ducks Unlimited (DU) said they're pleased to see Congress pressing for programs that will help restore wetlands, grasslands and other imperiled wildlife resources.

"Some of our most effective wildlife conservation programs start on the farm," said DU Executive Vice President D.A. (Don) Young. "By supporting Farm Bill programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program, the U.S. Congress is advocating a strong commitment to farmer conservationists, the hands on stewards of the land," continued Young.

The Farm Bill agreement would increase spending for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), voluntary set aside programs that are wildlife friendly. The CRP would be increased from 36.4 million to 39.2 million acres and the WRP acreage cap would be increased to allow for the enrollment of 2.275 million acres. The compromise bill would also boost spending for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). And, a new program called the Grasslands Reserve Program would be established, implementing easements on grasslands, a critical resource for nesting birds. Research by DU indicates a clear link between waterfowl populations and the presence of grassland habitat.

"We're very pleased with the conservation title of the Farm Bill. I speak for our hundreds of thousands of members-many of them farmers---who have worked hard to insure passage of this bill," said Dr. L.J. Mayeux, the President of DU. "We worked with commodity groups, the Administration, and others to craft legislation that the various interests could endorse," added Mayeux.

"Representatives Combest and Stenholm, Senators Harkin and Lugar, and all of the conferees are to be commended for producing one of the greatest conservation titles ever. DU applauds their leadership and the advances they've included in programs that are important to waterfowl and other wildlife," said Scott Sutherland, DU's Director of Governmental Affairs.

For more information, or to contact Ducks Unlimited, see their website at: www.ducks.org