Conservation Reserve Program

WHEREAS, the Society for Range Management supports the concept of sustainable rangeland ecosystems consistent with reasonable and prudent use; and

WHEREAS, a detrimental effect to achieving this goal has been the conversion of highly erodible lands from rangeland to cropland; and

WHEREAS, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been successful in achieving soil conservation, clean water, clean air and enhanced wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, Conservation Reserve Program contracts will begin to expire September 30, 1995; and

WHEREAS, the future use and management of these lands depend on the decisions of 350,000 CRP participants; and

WHEREAS, their decisions will be guided by USDA program policy, economics of alternative land uses, and resource potential of the land.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Society advocates that productive, sustainable, economically and ecologically sound management systems be developed and applied on all CRP lands. This should be accomplished by keeping highly erodible lands in permanent vegetative cover.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Society also supports a strong education and information program so CRP contract holders can make informed land use and management decisions and expanded technical assistance programs that ensure all CRP producers receive conservation planning in a timely manner.