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,. (") ...., :;) o . Provides the Sec~tary with authority 10 identify for individual producers which programs are affected by Swampbusler violations and how much the penalty is. . Establishes a pilei program for wetlUld mitigation banking in order 10 allow USDA 10 assess how ....ell mitigatIOn banking works for agriculture. Wellands Memorandum of Agftement The farm bill expandslhe ddinilion of agriculluralland cVlllaillC'rl ill/hC' inte'/sgency Wetlands MOA to include not only cropland and pasture land. but also tree fanns, rangeland. native pasture land, and other land used for livestock production. ConscrYalion Recan:h and Education The fann bill creates the National NatlJral Resources Conservation Foundation as a charitable nonprofit corporalion to fund re~earch and educational activities reJ.aling to rOIl5f'rvarion on privale lands. The foundation will promote innovative solutions 10 conservation problems through public-privale partnerships. II will also accept private gifts ofmoncy or property to be uscd for conservation activities. Congress has authQrized $ I million annually from ] 997 through 1999. The new foundation will offer grants for research, education, and demonstration projects Grnnts will also assist consel"o'ation districts in building resources to carry out local consenlltion programs. The foundation will be administered by a nine-member board oftruslees appointed by the Secretary. Conserntion Compliance The fann bill makes several policy changes in the operation of Conservation Compliance: . Directs USDA employees who are providing on.site technical assistance to work with landowners to correct an observed pOlentia] compliance problem. Landov.mers will have up to one year to take corrective action before a violation is reported. . EncouliIges farmers to maintain records of residue measurement, including those provided by a third party. Where appropriate, USDA will use these measurements when conducting annual status reviews to detennine erosion levels. . Authorizes county committees to provide relidin cases of undue economic hardship. . Revises "good faith" to ensure penalties are commensurate with violations. NRCS Techninl Guidc The fann bill requires public notice at the state le\'el offmure changes in the NRCS technical guide Ihat affect Swampbus'er and Conservation Compliance. Conservation of Privale Crazing Land The grazing lands provision is a new program to ensure technical_ educational, and related assistance is provided to landowners on the nation's 642 million acres of private grazing lands. In fiscal year 1996, $20 million is authorized. This amount increases to 560 million by the third year. Flrmllnd Protr<'tion Pro&nm The Farmland Protection Program is a new program under which the Secretary WIll join with state or local governments to purchase conse.......ation easements. Based on \loluntacy participation, it only applies to land which farmC1"s want to preserve in agriculture. The program. . Protecls between J 70,000 and )40,000 acres of fannland. . Authorizes up to $35 million in total federal funding. . Requires land to be subject '0 a pcnding offer from a state or local fannland consef\lation program in order 10 participate. Tlsk Forte on Agricultural Air QUllity The 1996 farm bill establishes a ,ask force on agncultural air quality. The Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service will chair the task force. Flood Risk Reduction This provision authorizes \'oluntar)' contracts that provide one lump sum payment to producers who farm land with high flood potential. The payment will equal Q5 pen;ent of the seven-year market transition payments, and other payments to offset estimated federal outlays on frequently flooded land. In return, the producer agrees 10 comply wilh applicable wetlands and hi~hlr erodible land requiremenls and 10 forego commodity ]o:lns. crop insurance, conservation program payments. and disaster payments. Wildlife Hlbitl'lncentives Program This new pro\'ision will help landowners improve wildlife habitat on privale lands. The program will have 5~O million in CRP funds for ....lldhfe habitat improvement. The program: . Pro\'ides cost.sharing to landowners for developing habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, endangered species, fisheries and other \\i]d]ife. . Pro\lides for consulting with state technical committees to set prioritics for cost-share measures and habitat development projects. Emclllcncy Wllenbed Protection prognm Floodplain Eascmcnu The farm bill authorizes the Secretary to purchase floodplain easements under the Emergency Watershed ProtectLon Program. Stile Tr<'hnical ComminC'es State tecbnical committees help develop technical standards for conservation programs. The farm bill requires public notice ofmeelings and e:l\pands committee membership to include rcpr-esentatLves of non-government organizations such as agricultural producers, non-pmfit conservation organizations, agribusiness, and e'lper1S on the economic and environmental impacts of conse.......ation techniques. Consl'rvation Farm Option This is a pilot program for producers of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice who are eligible for Agriculture Market Transition Contracts. Under this program. landowners may consolidate their CRP, WRP, and EQIP payments into one annual paymen\. The participants enter into a 10- year contract and adopt a conservation farm plan approved by lIle SCCTtlary Cnilially, J7.5 million is aulhorized, increasing 10 $62.5 million in 2002. TDm! llulhoriud funding is 5] Q7.5 million. Resource Conservltion Ind De'YClopment Progrlm This program is reauthorized as is until 2002. Forestry Inccnti"l's Program This program is reauthorized as is until 2002 Soil Survey The farm bill provides flexibility in detemlining how soil survey infonnation is communicated to the public. Evergl.des The fann bill supports ongoing efforts to protect the Everglades eco~ystem. This provision authorizes $200 million for restoration acti\lities including land acquisition. Authority is also provided to sell or exchangc an additional SIOO million in federal land to help protect the E\lerglades. B)'pass Flo\o~iS on Forest Sen'ice Llnds btlp/~""",o'lfam1bil\/<...,.hUII 41U1%'''\\4pm lon