Agricultural News
Conservation Group Disappointed Sodsaver Provision Geographically Limited in Farm Bill
Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:41:15 CDT
A proposed amendment to the 2012 farm bill that would have restricted landowners' ability to manage their own grasslands was defeated before the bill was ultimately voted out of the Agriculture Committee late Wednesday night.
The Izakk Walton League of America supported the failed amendment and issued the following statement on the approval of Farm Bill legislation by the House Agriculture Committee:
Late Wednesday night, the House Agriculture Committee took an important step in voting its Farm Bill out of committee by a vote of 35-11.
The Izaak Walton League appreciates the leadership of Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson in holding the markup and keeping the Farm Bill on track for passage before the September 30th deadline.
Unfortunately, the Sodsaver provision included in the Committee's bill is restricted to a limited geographic region. Facing strong opposition from Chairman Lucas, an amendment offered by Representatives Walz (D-MN), Noem (R-SD), and Fortenberry (R-NE) that would make Sodsaver a national provision was withdrawn and not voted on. Sodsaver would help conserve native grasslands and protect taxpayers by reducing the federal subsidy for crop insurance premiums for producers who place native prairie into production. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the provision has the potential to generate $200 million in savings over a 10 year period, while providing ecological and economic benefits.
Although bi-partisan national Sodsaver legislation was introduced last month by Representatives Noem and Walz, the Committee's bill restricted Sodsaver to the Prairie Pothole National Priority Area. This region includes limited portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. While Sodsaver targets unbroken sod, the Prairie Pothole National Priority Area was defined as such to protect small wetlands used by waterfowl. By limiting Sodsaver to this region alone, and with a current crop insurance system that incentivizes risk, vast portions of native grasslands will remain vulnerable to production pressure.
The League will continue to advocate for a national Sodsaver provision as the bill heads the full House floor.
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