HOUSE AG GROUP ADOPTS WALZ AMENDMENT TO FARM BILL

05/23/2007

(Washington, DC)- Yesterday, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research accepted an amendment offered by Rep. Tim Walz to the Farm Bill's conservation title which would permit rural economic development projects to be eligible for funding within Farm Bill conservation programs.

Walz's amendment changed the eligibility requirements for the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI), which promotes conservation partnerships and provides assistance for conservation projects in environmentally sensitive watersheds. Previously, conservation projects with an economic development component were not eligible to apply for CCPI grants.

"This amendment will ensure that more projects like the Shell Rock River Watershed's innovative flood control project in Albert Lea can apply for federal funding," said Walz. "My amendment makes it possible for communities to apply for funding under the CCPI program if they, like the Albert Lea flood control project, simultaneously address rural development and environmental enhancement."

In addition to the CCPI amendment, Representative Walz intends to offer the following amendments when the full House Agriculture Committee marks up the conservation and credit titles:

· Improving CRP transition payments for beginning farmers and ranchers
· Mandating funding for the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program for FY08
· Expanding and improving the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Down Payment Loan Program
· Making permanent the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Contract Pilot Program.

The Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research considered discussion drafts outlining each title under its jurisdiction and approved several amendments by voice vote. Copies of the discussion drafts and the amendments approved by the subcommittee are available online at: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html.