fishorhunt
New Member
Long post but worth reading and worth an email to your senators and reps.
Help Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever by being an active supporter of the CRP program. Future generations of American hunting and outdoor enthusiasts are depending upon your action. Please take the time to voice your support for CRP and your concerns with the recent decision to suspend general signups for 2 years. Thank you.
Ag Secretary Announces No New CRP General Signups for 2 Years
Contact Your National Representatives and Oppose this Decision
Washington, D.C., - February 15, 2007 - Last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced his agency, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), would offer no new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signups in 2007 and 2008. Though the USDA's 2008 fiscal budget calls for $2 billion to be spent on the CRP program; that money would go only to existing contracts. Nationwide, CRP enrollment will drop by at least 3 million acres this year, to approximately 34 million acres by 2008, as a result of this announcement. In addition, USDA officials are considering offering "early outs" from existing CRP contracts. If "early outs" come into play, then the 3 million acre estimate could be a dramatically low prediction.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever find this recent development unacceptable and in direct contrast to President Bush's directive for a fully enrolled CRP. This announcement is also shortsighted when considering CRP's legacy of benefits for our soil, water, air, and wildlife resources. It's no secret that the CRP program has been the most successful conservation program in U.S. history, helping increase not only pheasant populations but populations of quail, ducks, grouse, prairie chickens and other wildlife. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognize there are a variety of forces with opposing interests at play. However, the quality of our water and natural resources should not be up for debate. Selling the country short on conservation of our natural resources is simply not the answer.
Now is not the time to stand pat. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever strongly encourage you to contact U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, and your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representatives to voice your displeasure with the decision not to allow new CRP signups for two years and oppose "early outs" from CRP contracts. RESPECTFULLY describe how important CRP is to you and your community. Click on the colored links above and you'll be taken directly to the Pheasants Forever website where you'll be able to find Secretary Johann's and your elected officials contact information. Please take the time to email, mail, or phone these people with your concerns. Below are a few examples of appropriate comments:
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP is a voluntary program. Taking away the decision from farmers is simply the wrong move. America's farmers, ranchers, and landowners have earned the right to decide if CRP is right for their operation. They've earned the right by being good stewards of the land and protecting our natural resources through CRP for the last 20 years.
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP has produced water, soil, air, and wildlife benefits dating back 20 years. Sacrificing these benefits is the wrong decision.
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP lands that provide wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities are important to my town/community/state's economy through tourism associated with sportsmen. This decision jeopardizes my way of living and my entire communities' way of life.
Help Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever by being an active supporter of the CRP program. Future generations of American hunting and outdoor enthusiasts are depending upon your action. Please take the time to voice your support for CRP and your concerns with the recent decision to suspend general signups for 2 years. Thank you.
Ag Secretary Announces No New CRP General Signups for 2 Years
Contact Your National Representatives and Oppose this Decision
Washington, D.C., - February 15, 2007 - Last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced his agency, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), would offer no new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signups in 2007 and 2008. Though the USDA's 2008 fiscal budget calls for $2 billion to be spent on the CRP program; that money would go only to existing contracts. Nationwide, CRP enrollment will drop by at least 3 million acres this year, to approximately 34 million acres by 2008, as a result of this announcement. In addition, USDA officials are considering offering "early outs" from existing CRP contracts. If "early outs" come into play, then the 3 million acre estimate could be a dramatically low prediction.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever find this recent development unacceptable and in direct contrast to President Bush's directive for a fully enrolled CRP. This announcement is also shortsighted when considering CRP's legacy of benefits for our soil, water, air, and wildlife resources. It's no secret that the CRP program has been the most successful conservation program in U.S. history, helping increase not only pheasant populations but populations of quail, ducks, grouse, prairie chickens and other wildlife. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognize there are a variety of forces with opposing interests at play. However, the quality of our water and natural resources should not be up for debate. Selling the country short on conservation of our natural resources is simply not the answer.
Now is not the time to stand pat. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever strongly encourage you to contact U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, and your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representatives to voice your displeasure with the decision not to allow new CRP signups for two years and oppose "early outs" from CRP contracts. RESPECTFULLY describe how important CRP is to you and your community. Click on the colored links above and you'll be taken directly to the Pheasants Forever website where you'll be able to find Secretary Johann's and your elected officials contact information. Please take the time to email, mail, or phone these people with your concerns. Below are a few examples of appropriate comments:
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP is a voluntary program. Taking away the decision from farmers is simply the wrong move. America's farmers, ranchers, and landowners have earned the right to decide if CRP is right for their operation. They've earned the right by being good stewards of the land and protecting our natural resources through CRP for the last 20 years.
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP has produced water, soil, air, and wildlife benefits dating back 20 years. Sacrificing these benefits is the wrong decision.
• I oppose the decision to suspend CRP general signups and to offer "early outs" to CRP contracts. CRP lands that provide wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities are important to my town/community/state's economy through tourism associated with sportsmen. This decision jeopardizes my way of living and my entire communities' way of life.
