The Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.) and 14 other organizations submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in support of future enrollments in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The letter encourages FSA to set a target for continuous Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program sign-ups and enrollments to benefit water quality and wildlife habitats.
Originally established under the Food Security Act of 1985, CRP served as a supply management tool with the goal of reducing soil erosion and protecting water resources. However, the 1990 Farm Bill recognized the need to continually enroll in CRP, targeting environmentally sensitive land. Continuous sign-up and enrollments provided tools to obtain the targeted benefits sought.
The letter asks FSA to refocus its efforts to meet the CRP’s goals to enroll cropland and marginal pastureland that benefits water quality, wildlife habitat, air quality, and reduces soil erosion.
May 21, 2015
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