Farm Bill - Enhancing Conservation and Forest Management

The Conservation Title (Title II) of the Farm Bill authorizes voluntary programs that help farmers, ranchers, and producers implement natural resource conservation efforts on their land. These efforts enable them to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat.

The Farm Bill provides billions in federal funding for voluntary soil conservation, water, and wildlife habitat through the delivery of financial and technical assistance. Under the law, it supports and funds the following conservation programs:

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps producers enhance natural resources and improve their business operations.

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. 

Legislation

To mitigate the risks of climate change, we need to incentivize farmers to grow healthy and safe food. I introduced bipartisan legislation to help farmers meet the challenges of increased groundwater management and improve water, air, and soil quality, while simultaneously strengthening their agricultural operations. I'm working to get these bills included in the Farm Bill so we can help farmers better invest in their operations. 

• Headwaters Protection Act would reform the WSPP by boosting authorized funding, expanding eligibility for entities like local water districts, and increasing the federal cost share to increase interest and participation in the program.

• Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act would reform this federal program by increasing annual rent payments and cost-share assistance to help agricultural communities invest long-term in the health and well-being of their land and natural resources. 

• Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act would reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs.

• ENABLE Conservation Actsupports farmers who voluntarily participate in conservation programs to preserve natural wildlife habitats.

Forestry

One-third of the land area in the United States is forestland - providing us with oxygen, shelter, jobs, and fuel. The Farm Bill Forestry title (Title VIII) governs the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the lands under its purview, which is up to 238 million acres of forestland.

Climate change and forest degradation have led to more fire-prone conditions in the West, especially in California. Sadly, we’ve seen thousands of acres of forests and land burned into ashes. This year, we have an opportunity to leverage forest management, reduce wildfire risk and enhance climate resilience. That is why, I have put forth bipartisan, common-sense legislation to improve forest management and preserve our natural resources. 

• Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Actwouldincrease investment in alternative firefighting systems such as aerial firefighting technology, Containerized Aerial Fire Fighting Systems (CAFFS)

• Save Our Sequoias Act would provide a comprehensive response and critical resources to protect the Giant Sequoias from the devastating impacts of climate change.

• Led Restoration Act would help better manage our forests while providing pathways for private sector engagement in hazardous fuels reduction.

• Emergency Wildfire Act would reduce the risk of wildfires through forest restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and training.