[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13633]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   AMERICAN FARMLAND STEWARDSHIP ACT

  (Mr. PUTNAM asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PUTNAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce important 
legislation to assist American farmers and ranchers in achieving 
valuable conservation goals in the protection of our natural resources.
  Today's farmers and ranchers are facing increasing challenges in 
protecting environmentally sensitive lands while ensuring an abundant, 
safe food supply. Greater access to conservation programs must be a 
part of our agricultural policy.
  For this reason, Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the American Farmland 
Stewardship Act of 2001 which will help foster responsible care and 
stewardship of our natural resources by agricultural producers. The Act 
provides incentive-based initiatives aimed at assisting farmers in 
meeting environmental requirements and the protection of endangered 
habitat, wetlands, improved water quality and water access, treatment 
of discharge, deterrence of invasive species and other important 
environmental challenges.
  The American Farmland Stewardship Act will ensure greater protection 
of natural resources by providing economic assistance to agricultural 
producers to improve and protect natural resources and assist farmers 
and ranchers in staying competitive in the world market.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in cosponsoring the American Farmland 
Stewardship Act.

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