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2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Updated January 15, 2009

The conservation provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) will provide conservation opportunities for farmers and ranchers for years to come. The new provisions build on the conservation gains made by farmers and ranchers through the 1985, 1996 and 2002 Farm Bills. They simplify existing programs and create new programs to address high priority environmental goals.
 

Highlights and Announcements

USDA Farm Bill News

January 15, 2009 The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (PDF, 149KB) and Wetland Reserve Program (PDF, 130KB) are now available.

January 14, 2009  The AWEP Request for Proposals (PDF, 68KB) and the HFRP Proposed Rule (PDF, 68KB) are now available.

January 13, 2009  The Regional Equity Interim Final Rule (PDF, 60KB) is now available.

January 09, 2009  The AMA factsheet (PDF, 47KB) is now available.


At a Glance: 2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Download Adobe PDF one-page overviews of 2008 NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs and related topics.
 

2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs Factsheets

Download more detailed, two-page Adobe PDF documents about 2008 NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs.
 

2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill:

Introduction To 2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Program Rules

Under the Administrative Procedures Act provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, an agency must provide the public the opportunity to submit written comments in response to the issuance of a new rule, leading to a policy change. As required by Public Law No. 107-347, agencies must provide for submission of comments by electronic means and must make available online the comments included in the rulemaking process under 5 U.S.C. 553 (c).

The conservation provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) offer new opportunities to shape our Nation’s landscape through the improved management of our natural resources. Over the coming months, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will release revised program rules based on statutory changes in the 2008 Farm Bill. We will also be developing rules for new conservation programs authorized by the Farm Bill.

There are three kinds of rulemaking documents available from NRCS in PDF format:

A Notice is a document that does not have regulatory text and does not impact a rulemaking proceeding. NRCS publishes notices to announce fund availability, meetings, proposal and application deadlines, and availability of certain environmental impact statements.

A Proposed Rule is a regulatory action issued to inform the public that an agency is proposing a regulation.

An Interim Final Rule is a final rule that is not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking but that provides the public with an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking proceeding after the final rule has been published.
   

Federal Register Notices Index

Notices published by NRCS.

Proposed Rules Index

Rules which are proposed by NRCS in the Federal Register. 

Final and Interim Final Rules Index

Interim final rules written by NRCS.


How The Public Can Submit Comments


You are invited to submit official comments on rule changes published in the Federal Register during the official public comment period, as indicated with each published rule change. Public comments may be made, identified by Docket Number, using any of the following methods:

  • Federal Register - Regulations.gov includes regulations that are open for public comment (i.e., proposed) and closed for comment (i.e., final).
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  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. USDA's regulations are found it Title 7 of the CFR. NRCS's regulations are in 7 CFR Chapter 14. Two versions of the CFR are available on-line:
    1. The annual edition of the CFR, as published in hardcover; and
    2. The electronic CFR which is updated daily, but is not an official, legal edition of the CFR
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  • Grants.gov - is the public's source to find and apply for federal government grants, including requests for proposals.
  • Mail: Program Allocations and Management Support Team, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5237-S, Washington, DC 20250-2890

  • Fax: (202) 720-4265; or

  • Hand Delivery: Room 5237-S of the USDA South Office Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250, between 9AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Please ask the guard at the entrance to the South Office Building to call 202-720-4527, in order to be escorted into the building.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:  Denise Decker, 202-690-0648,  denise.decker@wdc.usda.gov or  Roland Johnson, 202-720-4521, roland.johnson@wdc.usda.gov.
 

2002 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs (active until October 1, 2008)

2002 Farm Bill