Summary

GAO believes that the proposed legislation should be a useful measure in helping to mitigate the losses of Federal land caused by Federal programs. However, GAO believes that a broader approach is also needed and recommends that Congress: (1) formulate a national policy for protecting and retaining prime and other farmland; (2) set a national goal as to the amount and class of farmland that should be preserved to meet current and future needs; (3) periodically assess whether the loss of farmland is eroding the maintenance of established goals; and (4) delineate the role the Federal Government can and should play in guiding and helping State and local efforts to retain farmland.