The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture (Subcommittee) rejected cuts in funding proposed by the Administration for several important conservation programs authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Among the changes to the Administration's suggested FY 2010 budget, the Subcommittee would restore $184 million for the Wetlands Reserve Program and $43 million for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. In addition, funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program would be increased by more than $100 million over the current year's appropriation in the Subcommittee's version of the bill.

In a statement released by Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro noted: "With the substantial funding resources provided in the Committee's bill, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be able to make valuable investments in assistance to help farmers and ranchers protect the environment and meet their resource management needs."?

Many in the conservation community view this as excellent news, but the Subcommittee's legislative proposal is only the first step in a much larger, protracted process. The House Appropriations Committee will next consider the matter. If it succeeds there, it will receive consideration by the full House probably in early July. In addition, the budget then will go through a similar process in the Senate.

Representative DeLauro's entire statement on the legislation provides additional details on funding adjustments to other programs. (pmr)