118 HR 4248 IH: Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-06-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4248IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 21, 2023Mrs. Hinson (for herself and Mr. Sorensen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to reestablish the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative Act or the DALCI Act.
2.
Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative
Subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended by adding at the end the following:
1240H–1.
Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative to reduce erosion and restore cold water stream corridors in the Driftless Area of the Midwestern United States, with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, carbon sequestration, soil health, and ecological restoration. (b)
Initiative elements
(1)
In general
In carrying out the initiative established under this section, the Secretary shall provide assistance to producers to implement practices to— (A)manage working lands for year-round ground cover to rebuild soil, sequester carbon, improve water quality, increase water holding capacity of soil, reduce soil erosion, and mitigate flooding and other climate impacts; (B)manage woodlands for increased biodiversity to improve the health of the woods to provide habitat and sequester carbon; (C)restore prairies and manage grasslands, oak savannas, and barrens to expand habitat and sequester carbon; and (D)restore cold water streams, by reducing stream bank erosion and threats of flooding while improving trout habitat. (2)
Partnerships
In carrying out the initiative established under this section, the Secretary shall provide assistance to grassroots partnerships to educate landowners and operators on the benefits of climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and holistic grazing, with a focus on equity. (3)
Types of assistance
The Secretary may provide assistance under this section in the form of financial assistance, technical assistance, and payments for the conveyance of easements to the Secretary, under such terms as the Secretary may establish. (c)
Funding
Of the funds made available to carry out this subchapter, the Secretary shall carry out this section using $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
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