Down on the Farm: May 2007
At Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever we put a great deal of effort into bringing the concerns of America's conservationists, sportsmen and women to Washington D.C. Of particular note has been our work to strengthen the conservation programs within the Federal Farm Bill. The Farm Bill addresses land use practices on over 50 million acres of America's most environmentally sensitive lands; including the 39.2 million acres making up the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP has been the nation's most successful conservation program in history. Since it's inception in 1982, it has prevented soil erosion, improved water quality, created habitat for pheasants, quail, ducks, and a myriad of other wildlife species, and stabilized rural farm economies. This year is a critical year for conservationists and wildlife as the 2007 Federal Farm Bill is debated. Down on the Farm will be a monthly up-date on the status of conservation in that debate.
Dave Nomsen
Vice President of Governmental Affairs
Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever
Conservation by the People, for the People
The 2007 Farm Bill debate is well underway in Washington D.C. In recent weeks, Dave Nomsen has testified at a field hearing for the Energy Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and in front of the Conservation Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. Simply put, we are at the table and our voice is being heard during the 2007 Farm Bill debate.
We are also encouraged by the vocal support of the Farm Bill's two most influential players: U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn. and U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Just over five months ago, both Chairmen attended the 2007 National Pheasant Fest in Des Moines and expressed their support for a strong conservation title in the Bill. They also both specifically pledged their support to continuing the wildlife legacy of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). We remain optimistic that their committee's mark-up of the 2007 Farm Bill language will reflect that verbal commitment of support.
Looming large on the horizon in the 2007 Farm Bill language are major budget issues and the alternative energy debate. Because of the current budget restraints, policymakers must find offsetting money to add new funds to maxed-out programs. In other words, when it comes to the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP), we've enrolled all the acres possible given the budget created in 2002. So, to authorize the addition of new acres in the 2007 budget that means policymakers need to offset those additional funds by taking away dollars from another portion of the federal government's budget. As one can imagine, this budget process is often the most difficult and contentious portion of the debate.
It's also no surprise that America's current infatuation with corn-based ethanol is influencing the Farm Bill debate. While PF and QF support the need to find alternative sources of energy to relieve dependence on foreign oil, we don't believe these alternative energy sources should come at the expense of conservation. Consequently, we are supporting the need for research of all sources of biofuels; including diverse prairie grass mixes that may hold great potential for energy needs, while at the same time benefiting our environment and wildlife.
As always, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever request your participation in this debate. Contact your elected officials. Let them know that you support a strong conservation title in the 2007 Federal Farm Bill, the continuation of CRP's wildlife legacy, and ask about their positions on conservation in the Farm Bill. To find your elected representatives, click here (your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representatives). Future generations of American hunting and outdoor enthusiasts are depending upon your action. Please take the time to voice your support for conservation. Thank You.
If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.
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