Conservation Corner: June 3, 2002

Cochran Praised For Conservation Components In Farm Bill
by James L. Cummins

The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation has voiced support for the efforts of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) that resulted in the funding of the largest conservation bill in the history of the United States. It is the "Farm Bill." According to Senator Cochran, "The agreement that farm bill negotiators have reached will provide an 80 percent increase in funding for conservation programs. Most importantly, that funding will provide farmers and private landowners with numerous options when it comes to conservation." Senator Cochran's efforts to improve the conservation provisions in the Farm Bill are known throughout the nation. Because of his efforts, he has earned the respect of the national conservation and environmental community.

Senator Cochran is regularly referred to as the "voice of reason" on conservation in the U.S. Senate and we are very blessed to have him in Washington to provide the leadership to make sure we have sound conservation programs.

The efforts of Senator Cochran will benefit Mississippians in a wide variety of ways. Mississippi is one of the largest participants in the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP). Regarding the forestry provisions in the bill, Cochran states, "This legislation provides $100 million for a newly created forestry program. The Forest Land Enhancement Program provides cost-share assistance to state foresters to encourage long term sustainability of private forest lands."

Cochran's efforts to reauthorize the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) also drew praise from the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Congressmen Chip Pickering (R-MS) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) were the lead sponsors of the WRP reauthorization legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

WRP is a voluntary program that offers financial incentives to landowners to restore bottomland hardwoods and wetlands. Mississippi ranks second in the nation in WRP enrollment, with over 100,000 acres entered since 1990.

"The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), which was authorized in the 1996 Farm Bill at my request, is funded at $700 million. This level of commitment proves that the program is successful and will continue to provide Mississippi landowners with meaningful incentive to enhance wildlife habitats," continued Cochran. WHIP will continue to cost-share with landowners to provide cover for wildlife as well as nesting and brood habitat for species like turkey and quail. Nationally, it has already improved over 650,000 acres of wildlife habitat.

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.