Bill > HR1420

This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to enhance the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), specifically focusing on improving wildlife habitats in the Pacific Flyway region. The bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll additional agricultural lands that may not have previously been eligible, if doing so is critical to addressing resource concerns in existing conservation agreements. For agreements aimed at maintaining habitats for wetland-dependent species on working croplands, the bill permits seasonally flooded agricultural uses when farmers adopt at least one best management practice. The legislation also provides flexibility in calculating annual rental payments to farmers, ensuring that these payments are comparable to the costs of maintaining seasonally-flooded wetland wildlife habitats in the region and maintaining consistent rates across the region. Additionally, the bill gives the Secretary the authority to waive the typical matching requirement for these specific types of conservation agreements, which could make it easier for farmers and conservation organizations to participate in habitat restoration efforts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1420/all-info