| |
USDA ANNOUNCES FINAL RULE FOR CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING
LAND PROGRAM
Mary Cressel (202) 690-0547
Brad Fisher (202) 720-4024
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2002—The 2002 Farm Bill authorized the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance from the Natural
Resources Conservation Service to owners and managers of private grazing land
through the Conservation of Private Grazing Land Program (CPGL). The final rule
for the program was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 12.
“This is a voluntary program that addresses natural resource concerns on private
grazing land while enhancing the economic and social stability of grazing land
enterprises and the rural communities that depend on them,” said NRCS Chief
Bruce I. Knight. “This rule builds our capacity to provide technical assistance
to those who own and operate private grazing land.”
Through CPGL, NRCS conservationists will help individuals understand the basic
ecological principals associated with managing their land and implement a
conservation plan that meets their management objectives and the needs of the
resources-soil, water, air, plants and animals.
NRCS technical assistance can help landowners maintain and improve private
grazing land and its management, implement grazing land management technologies,
protect and improve the quality and quantity of water, maintain and improve
wildlife and fish habitat, enhance recreational opportunities, maintain and
improve the aesthetic character of private grazing land, identify opportunities
and encourage diversification, and encourage the use of sustainable grazing
systems.
Although financial assistance is not available from CPGL, other federal, state
and local programs may apply to grazing lands that provide financial assistance.
The 2002 Farm Bill represents an unprecedented investment in conservation on
America's private lands, nearly $13 billion over the next six years. Detailed
information on CPGL and other conservation programs authorized in the 2002 Farm
Bill is available on the Web at
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html.
#
< Back to News Releases
| |
|