Friday, July 18, 1997

Stenholm wants changes in Conservation Reserve Program

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Texans attempted to bid 3.2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program during the March signup.

But 1.4 million acres were turned down.

Some states, like North Dakota, got approval for virtually everything they bid.

Many Texas landowners were left disappointed when signup results finally were announced in late May.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm is urging Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman to make changes in the management of the next CRP signup.

The CRP is a voluntary program with incentives to idle fragile land with the aim of reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing wildlife habitat.

Under the CRP, which was reauthorized in the 7-year 1996 farm law, landowners enter into contracts with USDA to place environmentally sensitive cropland into longterm conservation practices for 10 to 15 years. In exchange, producers receive annual rental payments for the land and also cost-share assistance from the government for establishing those practices.

Many CRP contracts soon expire

Fall is just around the corner.

Of the 32.9 million acres currently idled in the CRP nationwide, contracts on 22 million acres will expire Sept. 30.

"Concerns have been raised about determining the scoring for the current or intended cover on the acreage submitted during the bidding process," Stenholm advised Glickman. "I urge USDA to do all it can to limit landowner frustration and confusion during the next signup."

Stenholm has made the following recommendations to Secretary Glickman as USDA establishes its policy for the upcoming 16th CRP signup:

-- Consider allowing a portion of a field to be planted to strips to enhance wildlife benefits as opposed to requiring 51 percent of the existing cover to be destroyed in all cases.

-- Consider allowing the Natural Resources Conservation Service to make field visits to determine the actual established number and types of species contained in the fields in question.

-- Fully inform current landowners of the options they have to enhance their cover.

-- Be flexible in making determinations regarding what types of practices that landowners can use in their efforts to enhance the benefit of their cover crop.

Landowners who were rejected in the recent 15th signup - but who are still interested in staying in the program - are encouraged to await the new eligibility rules for the next signup before destroying their cover.