Senator Dick Durbin: Critical Conversation Programs Expanded In Farm Bill

December 14, 2007 -- [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the 2007 Farm Bill, passed by the full Senate this afternoon, invests an additional $4 billion critical conservation programs that protect wildlife and water quality and prevent soil erosion. Included in this funding is $1.2 billion for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) and the reauthorization of the Wetlands Reserve Program.

The funding increases were made possible, in part, by the inclusion of Durbin’s Average Crop Revenue program in the bill. Approximately $3 billion was able to be reallocated to conservation and other important functions.

CSP provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life. The program has faced more than $3 billion in cuts over the last several years, which prevented thousands of Illinois farmers from enrolling in the program.

“These conservation programs not only preserve state wildlife habitats, they bolster Illinois’ farm economy, keep our drinking water clean and attract tourism,” noted Durbin.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is the nation’s leading wetland conservation program. It is a voluntary conservation program that assists landowners interested in protecting and restoring wetlands by funding the purchase of long-term agreements and easements and providing technical and financial assistance. Wetlands serve a critical role in mitigating the effects of natural disasters, limiting erosion, enhancing water quality, and fostering wildlife diversity.

The continental U.S. has lost over 50% of its pre-settlement wetlands and continues to lose these habitats at an alarming rate. Illinois has lost 85% of its wetlands.

“Saving and restoring wetlands that clean our water, protect our watersheds, and provide wildlife habitat at modest costs under the WRP is a tremendous value,” said Durbin. “In Illinois, the Wetlands Reserve Program has successfully repaired more than 27,000 acres of wetlands since 1990 and provided a significant boost to rural economies.”

Since the 2002 Farm Bill, the Natural Resource Conservation Service has rejected millions of acres of wetland restoration projects as a result of funding shortfalls. The 2007 Farm Bill aims to keep pace with producer demand for the WRP by increasing the number of authorized acres and the funding available.

The Farm Bill is a multi-year bill that deals with a variety of issues from nutrition and feeding programs for the needy to rural development and conservation programs. The last Farm Bill was passed by the Senate in 2002.

Source: Senator Dick Durbin