Conrad Details Need for a New Approach to Flooded Farmland

Press Release

Senator Kent Conrad met today with USDA National Resource Conservation Service Chief Dave White, to consider a new approach to address the concerns of farmers and ranchers faced with flooded fields and for the people of Devils Lake.

"I appreciate that Chief White has made numerous trips to North Dakota in recent years in his role as head of the NRCS," Senator Conrad said. "He brings a pragmatic, producer oriented approach to conservation programs and the agency. And he understands the need to adopt a policy that ensures consistent and timely administration of the wetland rules."

Senator Conrad said today's meeting was a follow-up to the questions he raised during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing last year and a number of subsequent discussions that Conrad staff have had with Chief White on these issues.

North Dakota farmers have shared a number of concerns with Senator Conrad which he relayed to Chief White regarding inconsistencies in the way NRCS is making wetlands determinations in different states, the increase in potential wetlands as a result of these certifications in North Dakota, and delays in certifications due to a backlog of requests at NRCS.

When wetlands legislation was first adopted in the 1985 Farm Bill, the policy was to ensure "no net loss" of wetlands. Today in North Dakota, farmers are worried that the current NRCS approach could result in a significant increase in wetlands determinations on their farms.

Senator Conrad emphasized that NRCS needs to develop a more timely approach to designating and certifying wetlands that treats all producers fairly and allows them to manage their farms and ranches consistent with the 1985 law.

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