USDA Proposes Changes to Conservation Reserve Program Haying &
Grazing and Nesting Season Provisions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that
it will hold public meetings in 13 states on proposed changes to
managed haying and grazing provisions on Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP) land.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is proposing rule changes
that would allow more frequent managed haying and/or grazing on land
that is enrolled in CRP contracts. The 13 states are Idaho, Kansas,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South
Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The public comment
meetings are being scheduled in the coming weeks.

USDA will also take comments on changes to primary nesting
season dates, during which managed haying and grazing are not
permitted (USDA has proposed shortening the designated nesting
seasons in Idaho and Montana).

The proposed changes are in response to a 2006 settlement
between the National Wildlife Federation and six NWF state
affiliates, and USDA, that resolved complaints that USDA had set
managed haying and grazing frequencies and nesting season dates that
did not adequately consider the impact on wildlife. The settlement
covered 19 states, including the 13 states above plus Arizona,
California, Indiana, Nevada, New York, and Wisconsin. USDA does not
appear to be considering changes in those six states at this time.

FSA will consider public comments when it prepares state-
specific environmental assessments that will evaluate the effects of
the proposed changes. The environmental assessments will aid USDA
decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the benefits and
potential impacts of the proposed changes to managed haying and
grazing on CRP land.

Public comments can be submitted both electronically and by
regular mail. They must be received by the close of business on April
27, 2008. Direct comments to: MHG EAs, Geo-Marine Incorporated, 2713
Magruder Blvd., Suite D, Hampton, Va. 23666-1572 or send them through
the Web site: http://public.geo-marine.com. Information on meeting
dates and locations, and the proposed changes in each state, is
available on the project Web site as well. Below are the public
meeting dates posted so far. I have a charg summarizing the current
and proposed haying and grazing frequencies, and nesting season
dates, by state, contact me if you'd like a copy.

Duane Hovorka

Idaho
Meeting not yet posted

Kansas: Hays, March 28
Kansas State University Ag Research Center
1232 240th Avenue
Hays, Kansas 67601
(785) 625-3425
March 28, 2008, 9:00 am

Montana: Great Falls, March 20
Hampton Inn
2301 14th St. SW
Great Falls, Montana 59404
(406) 453-2675
March 20, 2008, 1:00 PM

Nebraska, Lincoln, March 27
Lancaster Event Center
4100 North 84th Street
Lincoln, NE
(402) 441-6545
March 27, 2008, 1:00 pm

New Mexico
Meeting not yet posted

North Dakota, Bismarck, March 17
Radisson Hotel
605 E. Broadway
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
(701) 255-6000
Date of meeting: 3/17/2008 9:00 AM

Oklahoma, Woodward, March 27
High Plains Technology Center
3921 34th Street
Woodward, OK 73801
(800) 725-1492
March 27, 2008, 1:00 pm

Oregon, Pendleton, March 12
Pendleton Convention Center
1601 Westgate
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
(800) 863-9358
March 12, 2008 1:30 PM

South Dakota, Huron, March 18
Huron Event Center
100 4th St. SW
Huron, South Dakota 57350
(800) 876-5858
Date of meeting: 3/18/2008 1:00 PM

Texas
Meeting not yet posted

Utah
Meeting not yet posted

Washington, Ritzville, March 11
American Legion Hall
106 W. Broadway St.
Ritzville, Washington 99169
(509) 659-0543
Date of meeting: 3/11/2008 1:30 PM

Wyoming
Meeting not yet posted