WRP CRISIS APPEARS AVERTED

Serious concerns over the future of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) were put at ease in early July with the release of revised language in the 2007 Farm Bill which proposes additional funding and acreage for the critical waterfowl program. 

The 2007 Farm Bill -- massive legislation that will outline federal farm policy through 2012 -- has been under consideration in the House Agriculture Committee for several weeks.  Among other things, early versions of the bill, H.R. 2419, failed to offer necessary WRP funding, raising concerns that the future of the program could be in serious jeopardy.  However, the crisis appeared to be resolved on July 13th with the release of the "Chairman's mark" of the measure which provides $1.6 billion to reestablish a baseline and extended the program through 2012. 

The marked-up language also adds 1.5 million acres to the program, bringing total acres allowed in WRP to 3.775 million nationwide, and directs USDA to determine the fair market value when evaluating appraisals that are used for payment offers.  The revised bill language was scheduled to be voted on by the full House Agriculture Committee on July 18th.

The Wetlands Reserve Program is a highly successful federal waterfowl habitat program that has restored over 100,000 acres of wetlands in California, and more than two million acres nationwide since 1992.  WRP is a voluntary, nonregulatory, incentive-based program that assists private landowners and farmers with removing marginal farmlands from production and restoring, enhancing and protecting wetlands on their lands.    

The California Waterfowl Association (CWA) and the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) will continue to closely monitor 2007 Farm Bill deliberations on Capitol Hill and will keep you apprised of all notable developments as the final bill takes shape.