[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE DEEP CUTS TO CONSERVATION IN THE 
                    AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment in 
the deep cuts made to conservation programs in H.R. 2112, the 
Agricultural Appropriations Bill. I represent one of the most 
productive farming regions in the country, and these cuts will have 
lasting consequences in my district. As the father of two young 
children, I am extremely concerned about passing an undue financial 
burden on to future generations. It is clear to all that sacrifices 
must be made, but conservation programs that play a vital role in 
protecting our Nation's lands and waters must be protected, and should 
not be disproportionately undermined as they have been through the 
appropriations process.
  Conservation programs have in recent years suffered a number of 
devastating financial blows, which will profoundly affect the ability 
of farmers to reach our stewardship goals. The 2008 Farm Bill as well 
as H.R. 1 in the 112th Congress included drastic cuts to flagship 
programs like CRP and WRP without proportionate cuts to Title I 
programs. This effectively puts the interests of large agribusiness in 
front of nutrition and conservation, rather than realizing the need for 
equal sacrifice by all stakeholders.
  Increases in commodity prices have led to farmers feeling pressure to 
bring sensitive lands back into production, and that means it's going 
to affect wildlife habitat, highly erodible land with sediment and 
nutrient flows flowing off and contaminating our water and drinking 
supply. We are seeing already that CRP enrollment is dropping because 
farmers are choosing to take that land out of CRP and putting it back 
into production.
  The real, measurable consequences of these actions will be felt in my 
district and across the country. Fishing, hunting and other types of 
outdoor recreation generate millions of jobs, primarily in rural 
counties. Managing farms, ranches and forest lands to create habitat 
for wildlife--and protecting farmland from sprawl--is critical to rural 
economic development based upon hunting and fishing. It is estimated 
that one-third of America's river miles, 45 percent of America's lakes, 
and 44 percent of America's bays still fail to meet water quality 
standards. Conservation programs play an important role in alleviating 
these problems by reducing soil erosion and bolstering natural water 
filtration, and are in many ways the last defense against over-
exploitation of land and water pollution.
  In this bill, the Conservation Stewardship Program, which pays 
growers to farm more sustainably, is slated to be cut by 171 million 
dollars. This visionary program rewards past stewardship, but also 
incentivizes improvements that bring about additional environmental 
benefits. It is a shining example of the kind of programmatic 
innovation and forward thinking that should be rewarded by Congress, 
which makes this reduction in funding particularly disappointing.
  Funds for The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) are also being cut. This 
program has played a critical role in conserving our Nation's wetlands, 
and the environmental and economic benefits associated with them. The 
United States has already lost over half its native wetlands, and 
continues to lose these crucial habitats at an alarming rate. WRP 
provides an avenue for farmers to take wetlands, which are normally 
considered underproductive for farming anyway, out of production so 
that they may continue to provide habitat and ecosystem services.
  Finally, the cuts to conservation programs will be damaging to 
agriculture and food security. Cutting funds to conservation will put 
millions of acres of farmland at risk to unplanned development.
  I have made conserving our natural heritage one of the hallmarks of 
my work in Congress, and I cannot stand by and watch these cuts without 
making my voice heard. While I am concerned about passing on a 
financial burden to my children, I am also concerned about passing on 
an environmental burden. Cutting these programs will only cause 
problems for future generations.

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