U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich, Joni Ernst, Roger Marshall and Amy Klobuchar introduced a new bill on Aug. 24 to simplify the process for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to revise and adopt conservation practice standards, according to a press release. This legislation aims to bridge the space between NRCS best practices and new research and innovation, facilitating farmers and ranchers in utilizing NRCS conservation programs more efficiently on their land.
The proposed Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act seeks to achieve the following goals: Provide clarity to the procedure of revising current NRCS conservation practice standards (CPS) and introducing new ones, enhance the transparency and accessibility of CPS and offer clarification on the purpose of Conservation Innovation Grants.
“Regenerative agriculture and soil health practices help farmers and producers make their working lands more resilient, something that is widely wanted and needed. As Congress negotiates the next Farm Bill, Republicans and Democrats agree that we must update the process for developing new conservation practice standards at the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and make that process more transparent and accessible for all. By leveraging innovation happening in New Mexico and across the country, producers can build more resilience into their operations and make a real difference in our fight against climate change,” Heinrich said, according to a press release.
“By boosting efforts to conserve vulnerable areas, we can promote positive habitat health, increase water quality, strengthen the health of our soil and ultimately ensure that future generations also have the opportunity to farm,” Ernst said.
“This bipartisan legislation makes common sense improvements that will ensure our farmers have access to the latest tools to support conservation practices,” Klobuchar said.
"The current process for adopting and updating the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practice standards (CPS) is flawed by bureaucratic processes that lack clear and consistent guidelines. Our producers are rightfully frustrated by the federal government complicating their conservation efforts. We should always strive to make government agencies just as nimble and innovative as the farmers they serve," Marshall said.
