[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 22 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE FARM BILL--WETLAND RESTORATION

 Mr. LEAHY. Sections 357 and 358 of S. 1541 were included in an 
amendment to which we jointly agreed. Section 357 establishes flood 
water retention pilot projects under which farmers may receive 
incentives to restore land to fully functioning wetlands. The 
restoration of these wetlands will benefit their neighbors by reducing 
flooding.
  Section 358 was included in the bill to ensure that when a farmer 
voluntarily restores a wetland on land now exempt from Swampbuster 
penalties, that land will not subsequently be considered a converted 
wetland under Swampbuster. Section 364 was then added because of 
concern that section 358 did not protect against abandonment related 
regulatory policies. The sections need to be rewritten to work 
correctly.
  Would the Senator from Indiana agree that I have correctly described 
the history of these amendments?
  Mr. LUGAR. I agree with my colleague about the history of these 
amendments.
  Mr. LEAHY. It is important that these amendments be correctly drafted 
if they are included in the final bill. Would my colleague agree that 
we will work together in conference to develop a provision based on the 
following principle:
  Swampbuster should operate in a manner that encourages voluntary 
restoration of wetlands. A farmer should not suffer a Swampbuster 
penalty if land he restores to a wetland later reverts to its 
prerestoration status. However, such a provision should be implemented 
in a fashion consistent with the wetland protection goals of 
Swampbuster.
  Mr. LUGAR. I agree with my colleague and will work to rewrite this 
provision according to this principle in conference.

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