National Association of Conservation Districts

Action Alert

Action Requested
Date: June 13, 2011
Subject: U.S. House to Vote on FY2012 Ag Appropriations Bill

IOn Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives will begin consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which funds NRCS and Farm Bill conservation programs. The bill reduces discretionary USDA spending by $2.7 billion (13.4 percent) below last year’s level, and includes cuts to NRCS and conservation programs.

Critical funding for NRCS Conservation Operations, which funds Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA), was cut by nearly $100 million, and the Watershed Rehabilitation Program was cut by $3 million. The bill also proposes cuts to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Farmland Protection Program (FRPP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

Call your Representatives and urge them to oppose cuts to Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) and Farm Bill conservation programs. During this tough budgetary climate, your outreach is critical!

Talking Points:

• The need for conservation planning and implementation across the country has increased, while NRCS staffing levels have declined. Without adequate CTA funding, thousands of landowners will not be able to install critical conservation measures that provide clean air, water and soil for local communities.
• Farm Bill conservation programs promote clean air, clean water, productive soils, decreases energy-use, and reduces damage from severe weather and other natural disasters.
• With increased pressures on working lands to produce food, feed, fuel, and fiber for our nation and the world, both farm bill conservation programs and discretionary funding for technical assistance are needed now more than ever.

Go to Congress.org and type in your zip code. Click on your Representative’s name, and then on the contact tab for their DC phone number. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard and ask to be directly connected to your Representative’s office: 202-224-3121.

Make sure you notify NACD after you make contact with a Congressional office. Remember, all politics are local and your involvement is essential. Please contact Danielle Dills, NACD Grassroots and Policy Advisor, to update us on your outreach efforts and any feedback you receive. Danielle may be reached at Danielle-dills@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.