[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1528-E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING LINCOLN ``ED'' BURTON FOR HIS SERVICE AS STATE CONSERVATIONIST 
    FOR USDA'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleagues, Representatives Farr, Garamendi, McNerney, and Woolsey, to 
recognize Lincoln ``Ed'' Burton, State Conservationist of USDA's 
Natural Resources Conservation Service in California for the past 7 
years, and a conservationist with that Agency in numerous western 
states for the past 48 years. Mr. Burton has dedicated his life to 
helping farmers and ranchers find conservation solutions to natural 
resource concerns in ways that respect both the economic and 
environmental contributions made by agricultural producers.
  Mr. Burton has become known for his inclusiveness, diplomacy, and 
transparent, leadership style in administering and strategically 
investing $840 million in federal conservation funding to protect 
natural resources on cropland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. 
He has expanded and enhanced wildlife habitat for common and impaired 
species--notably the Greater Sage Grouse.
  Mr. Burton has contributed to the long-term preservation of farmland, 
essential to our Nation's ability to feed itself. Under his watch, 
farmers voluntarily enrolled historical wetlands for long-term 
protection so that today the Agency is responsible for the restoration 
of one fourth of California's current functioning wetlands.
  Mr. Burton's leadership provided water quality planning and 
implementation services on more than 1400 dairies in California, 
helping the industry address the regulatory requirements they faced 
amid difficult economic times to protect the quality of California's 
surface and groundwater while helping to maintain economic viability 
for one of the State's top agricultural industries.
  Mr. Burton oversaw a significant expansion in the air quality 
achievements of the Agency, helping farmers claim emissions reductions 
of over 1600 tons of nitrogen oxides each year.
  Mr. Burton has been a staunch advocate for conservation planning to 
make the best possible advancements in the management and health of 
cropland, rangeland and forests, protecting on-farm soil, water, air 
and habitat resources in a manner that is acceptable and consistent 
with economic sustainability.
   Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize our 
public servant, Ed Burton, for his visionary leadership and 
contributions to California's natural resources and his dedication to 
our agricultural communities.

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