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WASHINGTON, D.C., December 7, 2004:Congress
solved a two-year impasse on Monday when it passed a
key conservation bill. The legislation provides technical
assistance funding to landowners who want to participate
in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP). The Bush Administration touted
both major conservation programs during the recent presidential
campaign as solutions to environmental challenges facing
the U.S. Private landowners often partner with Ducks
Unlimited and other conservation groups to provide technical
assistance for both programs. The WRP and CRP programs
conserve and restore wetlands and grasslands important
to waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as helping
maintain and improve water quality. President Bush must
now sign the bill for it to become law.
The legislation would end a two-year stalemate between
congressional agriculture policy leaders and budget
experts. The solution was crafted by the Senate Agriculture
Committee and sponsored by Senator Thad Cochran (MS).
The bill more clearly defines the intent of the 2002
Farm Bill by resolving the conflicting interpretations
of the Conservation Title’s funding for technical
assistance, thereby terminating the need for certain
conservation programs to cover costs for the implementation
of others. With support from the Agriculture Committee
and House leadership, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK) successfully
pushed the measure to be one of the final bills considered
on the House floor in the final days of the 108 th Congress.
President Bush is a strong supporter of WRP and CRP,
having cited them as examples of positive solutions
to environmental challenges in remarks he made on Earth
Day earlier this year. Bush also highlighted the success
of the programs at appearances during the presidential
campaign.
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