Conservation Provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

The 2002 Farm Bill Represents the single most significant commitment of resources toward conservation on private lands in the Nation’s history Applies to all natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife Places strong emphasis on the conservation of working lands, ensuring that land remain both healthy and productive

The 2002 Farm Bill (cont’d) Provides farmers and ranchers with voluntary conservation programs Responds to the call for a balanced approach to resource conservation, including technical assistance, cost-sharing, land retirement and conservation easements

The 2002 Farm Bill (cont’d) Provides significant additional funding to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and ensures greater access by making more farmers and ranchers eligible

The 2002 Farm Bill (cont’d) Reauthorizes the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program to protect and restore habitat Reauthorizes the Farmland Protection Program to help protect the Nation’s best farmland from conversion to non-agricultural uses Reauthorizes the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program, and increases acreage caps for both

Conservation Programs Conservation of Private Grazing Land Conservation Reserve Program Conservation Security Program Environmental Quality Incentives Program Farmland Protection Program Resource Conservation and Development Program Wetlands Reserve Program Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program Grassland Reserve Program

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP Key Points Promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible National goals Provides technical and financial assistance Applications are accepted throughout the year

EQIP Key Points (cont’d) Uses local work groups to set priorities Provides financial assistance for structural, vegetative, and management practices. Requires development of a conservation plan Cost sharing usually pays 50% of the costs of installing practices

WHY?

Prescribed Grazing The term Prescribed Grazing applies to a technical standard for management of grazed land. As the name implies, the prescription is for grazing which reduces negative effects while enhancing positive ones. To use the Prescribed Grazing standard, we must assume that there is a clear understanding of how changing the management in one pasture affects the others – otherwise, unintentional impacts are likely to be transferred or increased in other units.

Purpose of the Practice Improve the health and vigor of selected plant(s) and maintain a stable and desired plant community Provide or maintain food, cover and shelter for animals of concern Improve or maintain animal health and productivity Improve specific resource conditions such as water quality, plant regeneration and soil stability

Other Key Changes Increases total payment amounts per individual over the life of the Farm Bill Contract terms are flexible (Span 1 to 10 years)

Other Key Changes (cont’d) Requires 60% of funding for practices related to livestock production, including grazing land Allows for up to 90% cost-share for limited resource or beginning farmers and ranchers

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

WRP Key Points Provides technical and financial assistance to restore and enhance wetlands on private lands Goal is to achieve the greatest wetland function and optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled At least 70% of each project area will be restored to the original natural condition, to the extent practicable

WRP Key Points (cont’d) Three program participation options: –10-year cost-share agreement restorations –30-year easement restorations –Permanent easement restorations Landowners control access, non-developed recreational activities, such as hunting and fishing, and the right to lease recreational uses for financial gain

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

WHIP Key Points Offers opportunities to landowners to improve and protect wildlife habitat on private and Tribal lands (the majority of land in U.S.) Provides cost-share payments under 5- to 10- year agreements for upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic wildlife habitats

WHIP Key Points (cont’d) Provides cost-share payments under agreements, usually for 5 to 10 years, Allows for increased cost-share for long- term agreements of at least 15 years

Confidentiality The 2002 Farm Bill provides for confidentiality of: –Case file data –Location of National Resources Inventory data points

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. For more information call: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Salinas Service Center 744 La Guardia St., Suite A Salinas, CA x 3

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. For more information call: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Hollister Service Center 2337 Technology Parkway, Suite C x 3