Liberty
Matters News Service
April 22, 2008
CRP, “Times have definitely changed.”
Grain prices are going through the roof with food producers having trouble securing some grains for their products and livestock producers paying through the nose for corn and milo to feed their animals. The changing situation now has some farmers rethinking their deals with the government to keep some of their land out of production. Kerry Dockter, a Denhoff, North Dakota rancher, has about 450 acres in the grassland reserve program, but now he can make more money by putting the land to use. “When this program first came about, it was a pretty good thing,” he said. “But times have definitely changed.” The Bush administration’s recent move to subsidize ethanol producers to try to help reduce the America’s reliance on foreign oil has been a big factor in the jump in food prices. Milk now costs more per gallon than gasoline. There are currently 35 million acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), eight percent of the cropland in the country, and the government is being pressured on all sides to do something. Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever want the government to pay farmers more to keep the land they have and to attract more into the program. “There are overriding environmental issues here,” said Jim Ringelman of Ducks. But J.R. Paterakis, a Baltimore bakery owner sees a more basic issue. “We’re in a crisis here. Do we want to eat, or do we want to worry about the birds?” The CRP hit a zenith last summer with more than 400,000 farmers getting $1.8 billion for idling 36.8 million acres. When five million acres came up for renewal last fall, only half went back into the program. Ardell Magnusson, a Roseau, Minnesota farmer, is typical of those wanting out. “Another nine months of wheat at today’s prices and there will be political pressure on this program like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. “The pipeline for wheat is empty,” said Michael Kalupa, bakery owner in Tampa, Florida. Kalupa said the price of flour has doubled since October. Jay Truit of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association barked; “Do you [taxpayers] think its right for you to pay [for CRP] so there’s more quail in Kansas?” Right now USDA is leaning towards raising the rent for idling needed farm ground. There is no easy solution. “If the government lets the land out and then crop prices fall, that’s going to hurt a lot of farmers” said Randy Shuring, Andover, South Dakota dairy farmer. “If it doesn’t let the land out and prices keep going up, that will hurt a lot of consumers.” Farmers are finally learning that allowing government to dictate how they can use their land can have disastrous consequences. Property owners who made Faustian deals with government to reduce their tax burdens in exchange for conservation easements in perpetuity may figure it out next.
As Prices Rise, Farmers Spurn Conservation Program
Clean Water “Restoration” Act
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing Wednesday, April 16, on HR 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act, (CWRA) and the opposition was wide and deep. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader, issued a statement following the hearing. “There is significant nationwide opposition to this unprecedented and historic federal jurisdiction grab… Multiple witnesses testified to the confusion, costs, delays, and endless litigation that will result should this overreaching bill become law…HR 2421 and its companion bill in the Senate could lead to the regulation of virtually every wet area in the country…” Senator James Inhofe, (R-OK), Ranking member of the Environment & Public Works Committee, also had harsh criticism of the bills. “Both Committees heard repeatedly in testimony that clean water is critical for our well being; however,” said Inhofe, “this bill does not lead to cleaner water and is nothing more than a federal land grab attempt. We should not propose, let alone pass legislative language that increases uncertainly, burdens local government, and challenges the sanctity of private property rights.” Sen. Inhofe continued, “If Congress is to amend the Clean Water Act, any changes must provide clarity and reduce lawsuits. This bill does neither. It will not curtail litigation, but rather increase it.” Rep. Mica said; “The responsible regulatory agencies also voiced their concerns with the bill…and believe that such a heavy-handed legislative approach is unwarranted. With our economy already in troubled waters, this legislation could push American jobs overseas and put another nail in our economic coffin,” Mica said.
Inhofe-Mica United Against Federal Land Grab Legislation
Sec. Kempthorne Gives Away More Millions
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has announced that the federal government will be dispersing $57.9 million in grants to 23 states and one territory for endangered species habitat conservation and land acquisition. “These grants build long-term partnerships with landowners who help to conserve our nation’s imperiled species,” said Kempthorne. This year the fund will provide $8.6 million through the Habitat conservation Planning Assistance Grants Program, $35.3 million through the Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Program and $14 million through the Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program. When a landowner enters into a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) he is allowed by his “partner” to conduct normal lawful activities on his property that theoretically “could” harm an endangered specie should one reside on his land. But he must establish approved conservation practices to minimize or mitigate the possible impacts to the plant or animal or bug in question. HCP Land Acquisition Program provides grants to states or territories to buy land with approved HCPs. Georgia will receive $2,000,000 to buy 8,430 acres of mature pine forest to protect the red-cockaded woodpecker. The land will be protected in perpetuity. The HCP Planning Assistance Program provides grants to states and territories to conduct surveys, inventories, document preparation, etc., to develop HCPs. Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey. Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia will receive $3,007,270 to develop a 15,500-mile planning area. The HCP will cover 6.4 million acres. The Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Program gives more taxpayer monies to states and territories to acquire land for endangered and threatened species with approved recovery plans. $1,471,500 is going to Idaho for a conservation easement on 654 acres of private forestland in northern Idaho. The property will link public lands in higher and lower elevations (more Wildland corridors) and supposedly aid in recovery of grizzlies and wolves and delicious mountain caribou. California will receive $17,945.231 for various projects, the largest amount. Washington comes in second with $8,435,081 and Texas is third with $6,324,500, which will more than likely to go to its Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program to purchase conservation easements. Landowners seem to only consider the short-term benefits of making deals with the government and their special interest partners. The day will come when they will rue their decision to turn control of their land over to outsiders.
Secretary Kempthorne Announces $57.9 Million in Grants...
National Landscape Conservation System Update
HR 2016 , the National Landscape Conservation System, passed the full House April 9, 2008, with a 277-140 vote to give the force of law to an 8-year-old program designed to preserve landscapes of national significance on Bureau of Land Management acreage in the West. The bill (HR 2016) would codify what are now administrative protections for landscapes of exceptional ecological, cultural or scientific value on the agency's 26 million acres. Before passage, several amendments were added, including a provision to protect energy development within the System. Amendment 985 preserves access for hunting, fishing, trapping or recreational shooting and provides that HR 2016 does not infringe in any way on a state’s right to manage, control or regulate its hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting activities on these lands. An amendment to protect grazing rights or operation on the Bureau of Land Management lands was also passed. The bill has been sent to the Senate (S 1129, introduced by Sen. Bingaman, D-NM) and has been read twice and placed on the General Calendar. At this writing, no date has been set for Senate action.