|
House Ag Subcommittee Supports Changes in Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program
 |
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
|
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has officially come out in support of H.R. 1600, the EAT Healthy America Act, whose principal sponsor is Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-18 Northern San Joaquin Valley). “I applaud the bill’s focus on the promotion of healthy diets by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Schwarzenegger said. “In addition, the bill provides solutions on greenhouse gas emissions and financial incentives to preserve the environment and promote conservation of working agricultural lands, grasslands, wetlands and wildlife habitat.” The Cardoza bill has attracted 115 bipartisan co-sponsors, including 33 members of the California Congressional delegation. The Governor called on the entire delegation to support the legislation [Read full statement].
Many of the provisions in H.R. 1600 are also in a conservation title bill that was adopted on May 21 by the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research of the House Agriculture Committee. For example, both include increased funding for the Farm & Ranch Land Protection Program which provides cost-sharing for the purchase of agricultural easements by state and local agencies and private land trusts. The subcommittee's bill, however, goes farther than Cardoza to make changes in the easement program that will eliminate conflicting priorities, duplicative procedures and onerous legal requirements that have frustrated state and local program administrators and discouraged farmers from participating. These crucial changes are also in another bill that is attracting widespread support, the Farm & Nutrition & Community Investment Act, H.R. 2144, sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD). Its companion in the Senate, S. 1424, was introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).
|
