This page last updated on 3/19/10.

MEDIA COVERAGE

KY: Applications now being accepted for Wetlands Reserve Program By Dave Baker – Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources – March 2, 2010 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky is now accepting applications for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The Wetlands Reserve Program offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. Through this voluntary program, NRCS has provided Kentucky landowners with over $29 million to restore more than 17,000 acres of cropland, pastureland and other altered lands to their original wetland conditions. For full story, go to: http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2010/03/02/the_amplifier/recreation/doc4b797f68 16857403185242.txt

Texas NRCS Is Looking for 50,000 Acres to Enroll in Wetlands Reserve Program Playa Lakes Joint Venture – March 1, 2010 The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas is working hard to enroll an additional 50,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) this year. To accelerate the number of WRP enrollments, new geographic rate caps have been set for 2010 (see figure 1) and applications are now being reviewed, ranked, and processed more frequently throughout the year. http://www.pljv.org/playa_post/2010/march.html#story1

Government, nonprofits move to restore wetlands By Candace Page – Burlington Free Press – February 7, 2010 An unusual public-private coalition is on a search for landowners willing to turn their marginal, boggy farm fields back into wetlands. Time is running out, at least for this year. By March 1, the Vermont office of the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service must commit up to $2.5 million to wetlands restoration, or lose access to the money. In 2009, the local office was able to use only $1.5 million of the $6 million available to it. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100207/NEWS03/2070305

USDA Encourages Farmers Within Chesapeake Bay Watershed to Signup for Conservation Program USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service – January 14, 2010 USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service's Acting State Conservationist, Dave Brown, is encouraging Pennsylvania agricultural producers located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to apply for conservation assistance under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI). "CBWI offers technical and financial assistance to help producers implement a system of core conservation practices to help control erosion, and to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay," said Brown. "Core practices include crop residue management (especially no-till and mulch till systems), crop nutrient management, manure management, cover crops, buffers, and streamside fencing to keep livestock out of streams and protect fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, a limited number of other conservation practices are available to address specific resource problems, such as barnyard runoff." For full story, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usda-encourages-farmers-within-chesapeake-bay-watershed-to-signup-for-conservation-program-81564832.html

TX: Wetlands Reserve Program benefits Navarro County Corsicana Daily Sun – December 26, 2009 During a time of possible operational transition for landowners throughout north-central Texas, many have selected conservation programs from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help sustain their land use and the rural landscape so vital to the success of their ranches. For full story, go to: http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/local/local_story_360181356.html

Impact on farming community: Climate Change By Dr. N. Yogaratnam – Daily Mirror (blog) – December 1, 2009 The climate change story in our country usually concerns deforestation, use of fossil fuels and increase in greenhouse gases. We seldom hear the other half of the story - the impact of global climate change on the farming/ worker communities. What is climate change, and what can we do about it? This article aims to explain the challenge ahead, and highlight the opportunities to switch to more sustainable forms of development - that can help reduce poverty while also making poor communities more flexible and resilient in the face of massive and shifting forces of nature. […] One is methane, which can be emitted from wetlands and paddy fields as well as from waste dumps and livestock manure. For full blog, go to: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=69442

Wetlands Bill Passes House KFGO News – October 13, 2009 The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 3433) to enhance the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and improve continental conservation efforts. Ducks Unlimited supports the measure, which would allow more Canadian investment into the program. The program conserves important habitat in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. “The North American Wetlands Conservation Act continues to be one of the great success stories of conservation,” said Ducks Unlimited Director of Governmental Affairs Scott Sutherland. “In the 20 years of the program more than 25 million acres of habitat have been conserved – and this bill will help that success continue.” The bill is sponsored by Rep. Rob Wittman, (Va.), who sits on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. The panel consists of members of the Cabinet and four Members of Congress. For full article, go to: http://www.kfgo.com/news_Detail.php?ID=9419

Farmable Wetlands accepting applicants

Town Talk – September 17, 2009 Eligible aquaculture producers now may begin signing up at the local Farm Service Agency Office for participation in the Farmable Wetlands Program, a component of the Conservation Reserve Program. Authorized incentives include a payment of $100 per acre, an incentive payment of 40 percent of the cost to establish the practice and a 120 percent rental rate. For full story, go to: http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090917/NEWS01/909170327/1002/Farmable-Wetlands-accepting-applicants

Eligibility for Farmable Wetlands Program expanded

By Wes Nelson – West Central Tribune – Ag Week – August 15, 2009 In addition to reauthorizing the Farmable Wetlands Program through Sept. 30, 2012, the 2008 farm bill also expanded the amount of land that can qualify for the program. Authorized under the provisions of the Conservation Reserve Program, the Farmable Wetlands Program is a voluntary program with a goal of restoring up to 1 million acres of U.S. farmable wetlands and associated buffers. Under the program, agricultural producers enter into 10- to 15-year contracts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the contract period, participants must agree to restore the hydrology of the wetland and establish a specified vegetative cover crop on any adjacent buffer areas. For full story, go to: http://www.agweek.com/articles/?id=5639&article_id=55935&property_id=22 for a related story, go to: http://wallacesfarmer.com/story.aspx?s=25455&c=9 Also see blog post: Wetlands Restoration Questions?  Ask the Natural Resources Conservation Service! http://aswm.org/wordpress/?p=477

Nebraska tests grazing option in new wetland applications (being accepted Aug 10-21, 2009)

by North Platte Bulletin Staff – August 7, 2009 The Natural Resources Conservation Service is testing landowner interest in a new Wetlands Reserve Program option to reserve grazing rights on contracted wetland acres. Applications are being accepted statewide from Aug. 10-21 at local NRCS offices. NRCS State Conservationist Steve Chick said this is a new option that applies only to Wetlands Reserve Program applications received during this signup period, but it will apply to permanent or 30-year easement contracts. Landowners would retain the rights to graze land entered into a Wetlands Reserve Program contract. Compensation normally paid through WRP for permanent or 30-year easements would be reduced by the value of the grazing. For full article, go to: http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readStory& storyID=17046&pageID=29

Archived News

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CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT WETLANDS

Wetlands Reserve Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/

Conservation Reserve Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp/

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program USDA NRCS webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/

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AGRICULTURE & WETLANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Agriculture at the Crossroads – Spring 2009 http://www.panna.org/mag/spring2009/agriculture-at-the-crossroads

50 Year Farm Bill discussions (July 23, 2009) http://www.panna.org/resources/panups/panup_20090723

Restoring wetlands not so costly, Univ. of Alberta study By Hanneke Brooymans – Edmonton Journal – June 14, 2009 Wetlands in Western Canada could be restored at a much lower cost than might be expected, a University of Alberta study suggests. The wetlands that would be created are nothing fancy. Basically, a drainage ditch could be blocked to allow water to back up in a field. This is a method used by the conservation group Ducks Unlimited. Wetlands are vital habitat for waterfowl, but also act as buffers during times of flooding, allowing the landscape to hold extra water. They also clean bacteria and excess nutrients out of the water that flows into them. The cost for a test group of Manitoba farmers came out to an average of$400 per acre($1,000 per hectare) to restore a previously drained wetland on their properties, said Katherine Packman, a master's student in the department of rural economy. For full press release, go to: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Restoring+wetlands+costly+study/ 1692635/story.html For more information, see page 5 of this newsletter: http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/re/pdfs/Newsletter%20(Oct-Jan).pdf

5th World Water Forum to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 16th to 22nd, 2009

Agriculture is the biggest user of water in the world, accounting for 70 percent of all freshwater withdrawals and the key to feeding a rising global population is how to grow more food using less water. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will be represented at the highest level by its Director-General Jacques Diouf as well as leading experts at the 5th World Water Forum. For more information, go to: FAO at the World Water Forum http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/10580/icode/ Events: http://www.fao.org/nr/water/news/forum.html Fact sheet http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/newsroom/docs/water_facts.pdf

Farming the White House Lawn

By Shawn Allee – The Environment Report – February 23, 2009 Some people think American agriculture needs a makeover. They question why we waste so much fuel moving food long distances. A growing movement is calling for farmers and everybody else to produce more locally-grown, organic food. Shawn Allee reports some people want the President to set a good example: Last October Michael Pollan published a letter to the President in the New York Times. Pollan is a sort of agricultural policy gadfly. His open letter to the President was full of big, policy-wonkish ideas about how to encourage local food production. But Pollan also wrote one small suggestion. For full story, go to: http://environmentreport.org/transcript.php3?story_id=4364

Editorial: Agriculture has big role in environment

Editorial Staff – Washington Times – February 17, 2009 Earlier this month Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (of the Kennedy Kennedys) was asked at a congressional hearing if a 2002 over-the-top quote attributed to him - that hog farmers are a greater threat to Americans than Osama bin Laden - was accurate. "I don't know if that (quotation) is accurate, but I believe it and support it," said Kennedy, who has been waging a substantial legal fight against the meat industry for years. While one may question Kennedy's judgment, he does have a point, whether his testimony that a single hog consignment can put out more pollution than a city of a million people is spot-on or not. For full editorial, go to: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/17/agriculture-has-big-role-in-environment/

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ASWM NEWS

Farm Bill 2007: Outlook for Wetlands Reserve Program and Other Conservation Programs, by Leah Stetson, ASWM (10/07)

WETLAND RESTORATION TECHNICAL GUIDES

Wetland Restoration, Enhancement or Creation: Chapter 13 of USDA Engineering Field Handbook Although the USDA’s Soil Conservation Service Engineering Field Handbook was originally designed to guide those doing wetland restoration as part of farm bill programs, the technical information about wetland restoration, enhancement and creation in this handbook may be applicable to other work. Chapter 13, “Wetland Restoration, Enhancement, or Creation,” in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)’s Soil Conservation Service Engineering Field Handbook is available here. This version will supersede the previous document, Dikes and Levees-Wildlife Wetland Development. The authors are in the process of revising (fall 2007) this chapter. “The science of wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation is rapidly evolving and improving. Therefore, additions to and modifications of Chapter 13 will be made as necessary.” Please check back in 2-4 months to find the revised version when it is available. Chapter 13 in this interdisciplinary manual places an emphasis on wetland restoration. For a direct link to Chapter 13, “Wetland Restoration, Enhancement, or Creation,” go to: http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/EFH-Ch13.pdf [Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher is required to open the handbook.]

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RESOURCES/PUBLICATIONS

Restoring wetlands not so costly, Univ. of Alberta study By Hanneke Brooymans – Edmonton Journal – June 14, 2009 Wetlands in Western Canada could be restored at a much lower cost than might be expected, a University of Alberta study suggests. The wetlands that would be created are nothing fancy. Basically, a drainage ditch could be blocked to allow water to back up in a field. This is a method used by the conservation group Ducks Unlimited. Wetlands are vital habitat for waterfowl, but also act as buffers during times of flooding, allowing the landscape to hold extra water. They also clean bacteria and excess nutrients out of the water that flows into them. The cost for a test group of Manitoba farmers came out to an average of$400 per acre($1,000 per hectare) to restore a previously drained wetland on their properties, said Katherine Packman, a master's student in the department of rural economy. For full press release, go to: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Restoring+wetlands+costly+study/ 1692635/story.html

New Field Guide to Farm Bill Available Playa Lakes Joint Venture – May 4, 2009 To help landowners, conservationists, biologists, and others take advantage of conservation programs in the 2008 Farm Bill, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in partnership with the Intermountain West Joint Venture has published the Field Guide to the 2008 Farm Bill for Fish and Wildlife Conservation. The publication is available in pdf format on the NABCI website www.nabci-us.org. The field guide is located at: http://www.nabci-us.org/aboutnabci/FBGuide1.pdf

Effects of Agricultural Conservation Practices on Fish and Wildlife – Conservation Effect Assessment Project USDA – December 3, 2008 Effects of Agricultural Conservation Practices on Fish and Wildlife is one in a multi-volume set developed by the Water Quality Information Center at the National Agricultural Library in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). This bibliography is a guide to recent scientific literature covering effects of agricultural conservation practices on fish and wildlife. The citations listed here provide information on how conservation programs and practices designed to improve fish and wildlife habitat, as well as those intended for other purposes, e.g., water quality improvement, affect various aquatic and terrestrial fauna. For the publication, go to: http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/ceap/ceap07.shtml

Growing Conservation in the Farm Bill: Recommendations of the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership – This is a comprehensive summary of conservation issues in the development of the 2007 Farm Bill. http://www.trcp.org/documents/2007farmbillreport.pdf

Effects of Reducing the Income Cap on Eligibility for Farm Program Payments By Ron Durst – Economic Research Service (Economic Information Bulletin No. 27 – September 2007 Farm commodity program payment limits have been in effect since the Agricultural Act of 1970. However, these payment limits have not had much effect on the distribution of farm program payments. Only a small percentage of producers reach the current payment limit ($360,000 per person) because of various legal and regulatory provisions available for avoiding the limits. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 supplemented program payment limits with a cap on the income farmers can earn and still receive farm program payments. An individual or taxable entity with average AGI over $2.5 million for the previous 3 tax years is ineligible for farm program payments. An exception applies to those with 75 percent or more of their average AGI from farming, ranching, or forestry operations. Thus, the cap only affects farm program participants with very high off-farm earnings both in absolute terms and relative to farm income. As a result, a substantial portion of program payments continue to go to large farms and high-income farm households. For the full report, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib27/eib27.pdf

Wetlands Reserve Program Guide for Delaware (6/2007) http://aswm.org/lwp/wrpguidedelaware%5b1%5d.pdf

Economics of Sequestering Carbon in the U.S. Agricultural Sector By Jan Lewandrowski, Mark Peters, Carol Jones, Robert House, Mark Sperow, Marlen Eve, and Keith Paustian -- Economic Research Service -- Technical Bulletin No. (TB1909) 69 pp, March 2004 Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases can be reduced by withdrawing carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering it in soils and biomass. This report analyzes the performance of alternative incentive designs and payment levels if farmers were paid to adopt land uses and management practices that raise soil carbon levels. At payment levels below $10 per metric ton for permanently sequestered carbon, analysis suggests landowners would find it more cost effective to adopt changes in rotations and tillage practices. At higher payment levels, afforestation dominates sequestration activities, mostly through conversion of pastureland. For full report, go to: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/TB1909/ Or for direct link to full report PDF: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/tb1909/tb1909.pdf

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LINKS OF INTEREST

Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Farm Bill page http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_sub_federal_farm

List of Incentive Programs Available in Illinois http://dnr.state.il.us/OREP/pfc/Incentives.htm

Natural Resources Defense Council’s Legislative Watch http://www.nrdc.org/legislation/legwatch.asp

New Senate Agriculture Committee Website http://agriculture.senate.gov/

USDA Farm Bill 2007 Proposals and webpages http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid= FARM_BILL_FORUMS

***New Farm Bill 2008 links*** (updated 1/15/09) National Agricultural Law Center, University of Arkansas, School of Law http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/ and http://www.nationalagl awcenter.org/farmbills/

CRS Report: Farm Bill Proposals and Legislative Action in 110th Congress http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL33934.pdf

Congressional (Senate) Farm Bill webpage http://agriculture.senate.gov/ag/fb.htm

Summaries of Programs in Conservation Titles (previous farm bills) http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/farmbills/conservation.html

CRS Report: Conservation & U.S. Farm Bill 2007 by Jeffrey Zinn http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/07Jul/RL34060.pdf

Ducks Unlimited Farm Bill 2007 webpage with white papers and summaries http://www.ducks.org/Conservation/FarmBill/3140/FarmBillResourcesandNews ReleasesfromDU.html

Report on New York’s farmland protection (by American Farmland Trust) http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/documents/AFT_PickingUpThePace_ NewYork_January07.pdf

Interesting Blogs on the Farm Bill 2007

Mulch: Comments on Agriculture, Farm Policy and Food Safety http://www.mulchblog.com/2008/02/farm_bill_all_over_the_map.php

Environmental Defense Fund's Farm Policy Blog http://www.edf.org:80/page.cfm?tagID=118

http://www.farmbill2007.com/ (From the Law Office of Phillip Fraas; very up-to-date info) http://www.farmpolicy.com

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