USDA seeks comments on conservation program

Source: USDA Farm Service Agency
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Oklahoma Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced public meetings on Aug. 4 at Plains Cotton Cooperative Association in Lubbock and Aug. 5 at  the Stillwater Library in Stillwater, Okla., to solicit comments on a recently completed draft analysis that examines the potential environmental impacts of changes to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enacted by the 2014 Farm Bill.
CRP encourages farmers and ranchers to establish long-term vegetative species, such as grasses or trees, on environmentally sensitive farmland to help reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat. The draft environmental analysis was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1970 which requires federal government agencies to review the environmental effects of proposed federal actions.
FSA has scheduled five public meetings to provide information on the draft analysis and to provide opportunities for public comment. Stakeholders interested in farmland conservation are invited to attend, and FSA representatives will be available to answer questions. The meetings will be held at the following locations:

The draft environmental analysis can be reviewed online at: http://crpspeis.com . For questions, producers should contact their county FSA office or seek information online at http://crpspeis.com/Resources/Documents/CRP_SPEIS_Draft_NOA.pdf and www.fsa.usda.gov.