Conservation Corner: July 2, 2001

Mississippi Congressmen Unite To Restore Native Prairie
by James L. Cummins

Never let it be said that Mississippi's Congressmen are not leading the United States in developing conservation policy that is not only good for the nation, but good for Mississippi too. But not to be forgotten are Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott; they are national leaders in the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Wetland Reserve Program. Four of Mississippi's five congressman are original co-sponsors of the Grasslands Reserve Act; the total number of co-sponsors is sixteen congressmen. Congressmen Roger Wicker, Bennie Thompson, Chip Pickering and Ronnie Shows are to be commended for their efforts to develop this important Act.

According to Peyton Self, President of Wildlife Mississippi, "We are very fortunate to have Congressmen Roger Wicker, Bennie Thompson, Chip Pickering and Ronnie Shows in Washington to provide the leadership necessary to make sure we have sound conservation programs for generations to come." The Grassland Reserve Act has been developed by a coalition of conservation groups and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to help reverse the disappearance of native grasslands. Grasslands are important both for the forage they provide for farming operations and for the habitat they provide for plant and animal communities.

The program authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture to purchase either permanent or 30-year easements from landowners in exchange for a cash payment. The program also authorizes the restoration of native grasslands which is particularly important in the Black Prairie of Northeast Mississippi and the Jackson Prairie in East Central Mississippi. These grasslands once supported vast populations of bobwhite quail, wild turkey and a variety of songbird species.

The program permits unrestricted grazing on the easement property. Haying is permitted after the nesting season for birds in the local area. Prohibitions are intended to prevent cultivation of the soil for row crops, and otherwise to break the soil for production of agricultural commodities.

The Grassland Reserve Act authorizes qualified conservation and land trust organizations (i.e., Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mississippi Land Trust, etc.) and state agencies to hold and enforce easements. The Department of Agriculture's obligations under the program are limited to executing easement documents, restoring grasslands when desired and to hold easements if so desired by participating landowners. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is required to conduct periodic inspections of the easement properties. Landowners who violate easement terms may be required to repay the funds they receive under the program, plus interest.

The Act authorizes the enrollment of 1 million acres. If passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush, this will be the largest prairie restoration program in the nation's history.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi