Help save the Conservation Reserve Program

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* ACTION ALERT * ACTION ALERT * ACTION ALERT * ACTION ALERT *


http://www.pheasantfest.org/media/image/habitatballota.jpg DON'T LET THE sun set on the Conservation Reserve Program! Make your voice heard at public meetings or submit comments online!

CRP Public Meeting Schedule

Sept. 15, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Spokane, Wash.
Hilton Garden Inn
Sept. 17, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Great Falls, Mont.
Hampton Inn
Sept. 21, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Moorhead, Minn.
AmericInn Lodge and Suites
Sept. 23, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Manhattan, Kan.
Clarion Hotel
Sept. 25, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Springfield, Ill.
Hilton Garden Inn
Sept. 29, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Marriott Hotel
Oct. 1, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Clovis, NM
La Quinta Inn and Suites
Oct. 6, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Albany, Ga.
Hilton Garden Inn
Oct. 8, from 5 - 7 p.m.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Courtyard by Marriott
We have reached the most critical juncture in the history of the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), undoubtedly the most successful conservation program in modern times. Since 2005, over 4.2 million acres have expired, and over the next five years, another 21 million more acres are slated to expire. That makes participating in the public comment period and public meetings about CRP in September and October the most significant action you can take as a Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever supporter this autumn.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has asked the public for comments on the Conservation Reserve Program and scheduled nine public meetings from September 15 through October 8 to solicit comments on the program. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have identified a platform of three action items to communicate during the public comment period and at the public meetings.
Immediate Need for a New CRP General Signup

Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has no plans for a new CRP general signup to re-enroll or replace expiring acres. "The stated intent of this public comment period is to find ways to make the Conservation Reserve Program more effective for producers, and increase the environmental and wildlife benefits of the program," said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's Vice President of Government Affairs, "Those goals are unachievable without a new CRP general signup."
1 Million SAFE Acres

Conservation Practice 38, better known as the State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, allows states to cater CRP to specifically address key wildlife and habitat needs within a state. Currently, there are over 200,000 acres enrolled in SAFE nationally, and the USDA has established a goal of 500,000 acres for the program. But demand for SAFE acres in states such as South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska has been so strong that they are at or near their initial SAFE acreage guideline. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pushing for an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based upon strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states. "A 1-million-acre SAFE program is the progressive step needed to maintain the strength of CRP and create critical habitat for wildlife," Nomsen said.
Double Bobwhite Quail Buffers Program

Conservation Practice 33, or "Bobwhite Buffers," establishes the edge habitat along fields, streams and woods that bobwhite quail need. Currently, there are over 200,000 acres enrolled nationally, and USDA has established a goal of 250,000 acres for the program. "This program has been a resounding success and has proven to increase bobwhite quail populations where acres exist. But to realistically push the bobwhite beyond its current near-threatened status, the USDA needs to allocate additional acres for this important quail program," added Nomsen.
Public Comments on CRP Due by October 19, 2009


Email comments to CRPcomments@tecinc.com (crpcomments@tecinc.com)
Submit comments online at http://www.public.geo-marine.com/ (http://public.geo-marine.com/); or Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (http://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
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For more information contact: Dave Nomsen (320) 491-9163 - dnomsen@pheasantsforever.org



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I cant understand why no one on this page is all over this. This could be one more really stupid thing that this current admin does by cutting back on such a environmental and wildlife success story. The CRP program has done wonders for wildlife and the environment, by providing habitat and protecting our waterways. I cant understand why no one has responded to this. Even if CRP has not been enrolled on ground we hunt or even close it effects all of us. Anyone who has fished our major streams or rivers has been impacted by this. For those who do hunt on CRP ground it might have allowed the owner another option than selling off building lots on unproductive ground. WAKE UP GUYS

[jackc99]

I emailed my comments last month but then I just got back from Washington late last night on a trip to visit our Senators and a couple of congressmen about natural resource issues. Not real high on most of their agendas right now.

Jack

[jackc99]

Friends and Colleagues of Pheasants Forever: Opening day is upon us and we still have 10 days to submit comments supporting the Conservation Reserve Program. Help continue CRP’s wildlife legacy for future generations. Send a short note today by letter or email. Just tell your story – tell them who you are and why CRP is important to you. Add a couple recommendations for the future – your voice will count. See below for additional information and please pass this note along to your friends. Thanks and Good Hunting!

Dave Nomsen, Vice-president of Governmental Affairs

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

CRP Public Meetings Continue, eComments Due by October 19

- October 09 -

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

For additional information, please contact Dave Nomsen at (320) 491-9163 or via email at DNomsen@pheasantsforever.org.

THANKS for your help and Good Hunting!