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Congressional Testimony
September 18, 2000, Monday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 1880 words
COMMITTEE:
SENATE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY
HEADLINE: TESTIMONY FARMLAND PROTECTION ACT
TESTIMONY-BY: DANNY SELLS , ASSOCIATE CHIEF
BODY:
September l8th, 2000 STATEMENT OF DANNY
SELLS, ASSOCIATE CHIEF, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, CONSERVATION,
AND RURAL REVITALIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND
FORESTRY Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me
to discuss the important issue of farmland protection. I am Danny Sells,
Associate Chief for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). I would
like to begin by recognizing the efforts and leadership of Members of this
Subcommittee, including Senator Santorum, f6fintroducing S. 598 and
co-sponsoring, S.333, that would the increase the funding authorization of the
program and make a few changes to the authorizing legislation. S. 333 would
provide $55 million annually for the program. There is an important national
interest in the protection of farmland threatened by structural development and
conversion to non-agricultural uses. Its preservation prevents irreversible
damage to vital ecosystems, provides open space, and preserves a quality of life
threatened by urbanization. Preserving valuable and highly productive farmland
for future generations is an important priority for the Natural Resources
Conservation Service. Every day dozens of news stories point out the impacts of
urban sprawl on the livability of our communities and we see farmers making
difficult and painful decisions as they see the opportunity to sell their land
to developers for soaring prices when many are suffering from low farm prices.
Farmers on the edge of urban development face many challenges. As development
ensues, these lands are taxed at a rate that reflects their potential for
residential development. As family farms are unable to meet this increasing tax
burden, farmland is irreversibly converted to non-agriculture uses. We estimate
that since 1967, an average of 1.5 million acres of farmland have been converted
to other uses each year. Even more troubling, I would note that in most states,
prime farmland is being converted at 2 to 4 times the rate of less productive
land. Conversion of farmland could affect of the nation's food supply, and also
means lower standards of water and air quality, and lack of open space. Rural
roads and occasional farmsteads in so many parts of the country are giving way
to subdivisions, parking lots, and malls. Today counties influenced by urban
development account for more than 85 percent of the domestic fruit and
vegetables grown and 79 percent of the dairy production. The Office of
Management and Budget defines these as counties," within and adjacent to a
Metropolitan Statistical Area". The interdependency between consumers and
farmers require us to look at ways to share responsibility for farmland
protection. This responsibility starts at the local level. There are many bold
and creative efforts throughout the nation to combat the increasing loss of our
nation's most important farmland. They include some of the local and state
programs this committee will hear about today. The federal efforts include
several new initiatives. The President's FY 2001 budget requests a total of $65
million for the Farmland Protection Program (FPP), of which the Agricultural
Risk Protection Act of 2000 provided $ 1 0 million for FY 200 1. The President's
FY 2001 budget proposes a $1.3 billion increase for conservation programs
including the FPP that help family farmers take steps to protect water quality
and the environment and to preserve farmland pressured by sprawl. Within this
proposal are several initiatives including the Conservation Security Program,
that provides support for those farmers that are investing in private land
conservation. This conservation package is part of a larger Administration
budget proposal to strengthen the farm safety net. The FPP is also a part of the
Administration's Livable Communities Program, an effort to support locally
driven efforts to build more livable communities. Its aim is to provide
communities with tools, information, and resources that they can use to enhance
their residents' quality of life, ensure their community's economic
competitiveness, and build a stronger sense of community. In addition, the FPP
is part of the Administration's Land Legacy initiative and included in the
Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) that
is before the Senate. CARA, as passed by the House, provides $ 1 00 million
annually for farmland protection and related activities carried out by NRCS and
the Forest Service. THE FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM (FPP) Mr. Chairman, as you
know, the Farmland Protection Program (FPP), authorized by the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (1996 Act) protects prime or
unique farmland from conversion to nonagricultural uses. It provides matching
'funds to leverage funds from States, Tribes, or local government entities that
have farmland protection programs. The FPP establishes partnerships with State,
Tribes and local government entities to acquire conservation easements or other
interests in land. It protects farmland from urbanization and helps maintain a
healthy environment and sustainable rural economy. The program was originally
funded in the 1996 Act at a total authority of $35 million. All of these funds
were committed by Fiscal Year 1998, and the easement acquisition process is
underway. With these funds, up to 460 farms, representing 127,000 acres of
farmland in 19 states will be permanently protected from conversion to
nonagricultural uses. In addition, the federal investment in FPP will spur about
$190 million in state and local contributions for this activity. This is an
impressive return on a relatively small federal investment. The Farmland
Protection Program is making significant progress in protecting farmland,
utilizing a relatively small federal resource. But the needs are great and more
resources are needed. I commit to working with you Mr. Chairman, and Members of
this Committee to continue funding and support for FPP so that we can maximize
the benefits of the local initiatives, which have started or have been enhanced
by the FPP. As farmers or as public servants, one of the lasting marks that we
will leave upon the land will be the health of our natural resources. Along with
that, ensuring an abundance of productive farmland, clean water, and air will be
the true measure of what we have accomplished. I look forward to working with
you on this issue to ensure passage of this legislation. The Administration
strongly supports both of these bills. Protecting farmland and preserving rural
areas facing development will help family farms continue their long and
honorable tradition of sustainably providing food and fiber, open space, and a
healthier and more livable environment. I thank the Chairman and would be happy
to answer any questions that members might have.
LOAD-DATE: October 21, 2000, Saturday
