Still Time to Get Your CRP Comments In!

CRP Public Meetings Continue, eComments Due by October 19

crp conversion

crp conversion

- October 02 -

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that one of their policy options under consideration is to drop Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment to 24 million acres nationwide. In Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's view, this is completely unacceptable and we urge all of our members and supporters to take immediate action by contacting the USDA in opposition of this proposal. Additionally, Pheasants Forever considers the current 32 million acre CRP cap a short term goal, and recommends the USDA request Congressional authority to expand the program to a minimum of 40 million acres

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has asked the public for comments on the Conservation Reserve Program and scheduled meetings through October 8th to solicit comments on the program. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have some simple suggestions for what to communicate during the public comment period and at the public meetings:

• Request USDA implement CRP at its maximum acreage of 32 million acres, and that USDA request additional authority for an expanded CRP of at least 40 million acres from Congress. • Call for a new CRP General Signup • Call for new authority for Continuous CRP programs such as CRP SAFE and CRP Upland Bird Habitat Buffers • Ask that all Continuous CRP including CRP SAFE and CRP Upland Bird Habitat Buffers, be made available to all expiring contract holders • Call on USDA to implement a CRP "Open Fields" Public Access program immediately • Encourage USDA to enroll expired CRP into the Grasslands Reserve Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program

Public Participation Public comments on CRP are due by October 19, 2009. • Email comments to CRPcomments@tecinc.com • Submit comments online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov • Mail comments to: CRP SEIS, c/o TEC Inc., 8 San Jose Dr., Suite 3-B, Newport News, VA 23606 • Fax comments to: (757) 594-1469

Public CRP meetings are still slated to be held in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Georgia and Pennsylvania. For meeting dates, times and locations, click here. For additional information, please contact Dave Nomsen at (320) 491-9163 or via email at DNomsen@pheasantsforever.org.

Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972 AHauck@pheasantsforever.org

Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants, quail and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness and education. Such efforts benefit landowners and wildlife alike.