FMR hails bipartisan support for state land conservation funding
A state program responsible for water quality and habitat protection on more than 10,000 acres of rural land now has legislative support from both parties.
In a major win for conservation and water quality this legislative session, funding for the state’s flagship land protection program now has bipartisan support.
FMR readers know that over the last few years, FMR has advocated for state bond investment in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
The program pays farmers and landowners to keep sensitive lands out of agricultural production and establish long-term perennial landcover, from forests to prairies. These reserves improve water quality by preventing agricultural runoff, pollution and sedimentation.
This year, we're part of a broad collaborative of conservation and outdoors groups asking legislators to invest $15.5 million in state bonds to fund this vital work. We are pleased to note that the proposal has now secured bipartisan support in both chambers.
House File 99 (Hansen – DFL) and Senate File 369 (Ruud - R) includes $15.5 million in bonding for the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program, which will become part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) funding source.
FMR was happy to be one of 15 organizations that signed on to a letter to legislators urging their support:
----
February 10, 2021
Dear Senators and Representatives,
Our organizations are pleased to express support for HF 99 (Hansen, R.)/SF 369 (Ruud) which includes $15.5 million in bonding for the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program. This important program through the Board of Water and Soil Resources is administered locally by Soil and Water Conservation Districts, working with interested landowners to enroll marginal agricultural land into permanent conservation easements.
The RIM Reserve appropriation in the bill will become part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Minnesota’s CREP is currently $16.7 million away from meeting the total state contribution of $175 million, which in turn is in the process of making a total of $350 million available in federal funds. This represents an overall federal match of $2 federal for every $1 state. The federal dollars come in the form of landowner payments through USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program.
Our CREP program helps us make strides in achieving our water quality goals and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, through wetland restorations (which also offer water storage on the landscape), riparian buffers, and wellhead protection easements. CREP easements also provide significant carbon sequestration benefits on the private lands voluntarily enrolled in the program.
In addition to water quality improvements and the water storage opportunities provided by wetland restorations, the program has significant impacts on Minnesota’s economy. Based on a USDA economic assessment*, a $15.5 million state investment for CREP would spur millions of dollars in additional total economic input, value-added income, and hundreds of jobs created or maintained.
A strong investment of $15.5 million in RIM Reserve in this year’s bonding bill makes sense both environmentally and economically. Our conservation organizations ask for your support of HF 99/SF 369.
Sincerely,
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Pheasants Forever
Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
Ducks Unlimited
Trout Unlimited
Delta Waterfowl Society
The Nature Conservancy
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Friends of the Mississippi River
Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance
Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River
The New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen
National Trout Center, Preston MN
Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club
* References for this assessment and other USDA-NRCS IMPLAN analyses are available at: http://www.economics.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/implan/.
----
Keep up to date
FMR writes about key environment and water quality issues on our legislative updates blog. Check back regularly or sign up for Mississippi Messages to receive a monthly digest of FMR updates, volunteer and education events.
You can help!
Your voice is essential to our efforts to protect, restore and enhance the Mississippi River. From banning pollutants to passing strong rules to guide local riverfront development, many of FMR's victories are thanks to our strong base of advocates. Please sign up to become a River Guardian, and we'll email you when an important river issue arises. We make it quick and easy for you to contact decision-makers.
River Guardians are also invited to special events, including happy hours, about important legislative and metro river corridor issues.