Re-authorization Efforts for the Next Farm Bill Move Ahead

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have both passed their versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, and the House recently voted to proceed to a “conference committee” with their Senate colleagues to resolve the differences between the two versions.  Within the next few weeks, Congressional leadership will appoint members from both chambers to attempt to negotiate a final, consensus Farm bill.  

Cong. Annie Kuster was named to the conference committee thereby giving her an important voice in drafting the final Farm Bill.  A call or email to her office to highlight the Farm bill priorities of the conservation community will be helpful.  Let her know you hope the bill includes the following:

• An overall increase in the Conservation Title funding. This section of the Farm Bill took a significant cut during the authorization of the last farm bill.
• The authorization of Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funding at $500 million per year.  The program provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing agricultural land easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land.
• The Restoration of  mandatory funding of $12 million annually for Healthy Forest Reserve Program.  The HFRP helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private lands through easements and financial assistance.  Unfortunately, it has been woefully underfunded since the program was first established in 2003.
• At a minimum, maintain current funding levels of $250 million annually for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP encourages partnerships on regional or watershed scale designed to address critical issues like improving habitat for fish and wildlife, water quality or climate resilience.
• Maintain, but then gradually increase, funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This program provides financial assistance to private landowners for voluntary conservation practices.  For example, removing selected trees or understory vegetation to achieve desired forest conditions or to obtain ecosystem services.  Maintaining EQIP funding means providing at least $1.75 billion annually.
• The reauthorization of the Community Wood Energy Program.  The CWEP encourages investments in advanced wood energy and combined heat and power (CHP) systems while also supporting markets for low value, low quality wood.  However, increasing the annual funding to $25 million will help to improve the program’s impact.