Folks this is NO joke make your calls this week and make a strong showing to protect our conservation programs and most of all WRP. <---- It has been a very vital program in wetland restoration in Iowa and we cannot afford to loose a dime from this program.
It is a tried and true program that has always proven to be sucessful. Pass this along to your friends through E mail. It is critical we here in Iowa make a showing to protect WRP and other conservation programs. Sincerely, William J. Smith Region 5 Iowa Waterfowler Region 3 Conservationist 712-253-0362 c 712-239-0891 h [email protected] Agriculture Appropriations Markup Set for Thursday The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture has scheduled a markup of the 2010 agriculture appropriations bill on Thursday afternoon, June 11. As we noted earlier, the Obama Administration proposed substantial cuts from Farm Bill conservation programs like the Wetlands Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The 2008 Farm Bill included mandatory funding for these and other conservation programs that help farmers and ranchers improve wildlife habitat and conserve natural resources. The Obama Administration proposed substantial cuts from the 2010 funding levels agreed to for USDA conservation programs in the Farm Bill. HELP PROTECT FARM CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FROM CUTS The following are the members (and phone numbers) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, who will be making key decisions Thursday on Farm Bill conservation programs. Democrats: Chair: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT) (202) 225-3638 Rep. Sam Farr (CA) (800) 340-3277 Rep. Allen Boyd (FL) (850) 561-3979 Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA) (229) 439-8067 Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN) (931) 473-7251 Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH) (800) 964-4699 Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey (NY) (845) 344-3211 Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (IL) (773) 734-9660 Rep. David R. Obey (WI) (Full committee chair) (715) 842-5606 Republicans: Ranking Member: Rep. Jack Kingston (GA) (912) 352-0101 Rep. Tom Latham (IA) (515) 232-2885 Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO) (573) 335-0101 Rep. Rodney Alexander (LA) (31 322-3500 Rep. Jerry Lewis (CA), (Ranking Republican, full committee) (202) 225-5861 The message is simple: Please protect Farm Bill conservation programs from cuts to the mandatory funding levels approved in the 2008 Farm Bill! Some key cuts included in the Presidents proposal: Wetlands Reserve Program - In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress provided for the enrollment of just over 3 million acres in the program by 2012, including about 185,000 acres per year. The Obama budget would limit 2010 enrollment to 152,636 acres, and permanently reduce the acreage cap by 138,904 acres. The total cut through 2012 would be about $438 million, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program - the Farm Bill provided for $85 million in funding per year, but the Obama budget would cut that in half to $42 million for 2010. Environmental Quality Incentives Program - the Farm Bill provided for $1,450 million for 2010, the Obama budget would cut that to $1,200 million. Farmland Protection Program - the Farm Bill provided for $150 million in 2010. The Obama budget would cut that to $120 million. Healthy Forests Reserve Program - the Farm Bill provided for $9.75 million per year, but the Obama budget would cut that to $4.75 million for 2010. Thank you all for your time & YOUR EFFORTS! Bill Smith --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
