March 3, 2003

Cochran Praised For Conservation Provisions In Omnibus Bill
by James L. Cummins

Wildlife Mississippi voices support for the efforts of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran which has resulted in substantial funding for conservation throughout Mississippi.

Cochran was able to secure funding for the Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery in Tupelo, the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Forests of Mississippi. It included funding for the Wildlife Enhancement and Economic Development Program at Mississippi State University.

The bill included an increase in funding for Sudden Oak Death Control. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has experienced tremendous loss of oaks from problems associated with Sudden Oak Death. Senator Trent Lott was able to secure additional funding for this initiative. Cochran was able to add language to the bill that establishes the National Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative. Bobwhite populations will greatly benefit from this program. This initiative provides technical assistance and cost share to provide nesting and brood rearing habitats on private lands. This national initiative will be administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Wildlife Habitat Management Institute (WHMI), which is based in Madison, Mississippi.

Cochran's efforts to fund the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) specifically drew praise from Wildlife Mississippi. 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 115,000 acres entered since 1990.

The WHIP, which was authorized in the 1996 Farm Bill at the request of Senator Cochran, is funded at over $30 million. This level of commitment proves that the program is successful and will continue to provide landowners an incentive to enhance wildlife habitats. 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 750,000 acres of habitat.

Senator Cochran's efforts to improve conservation programs in the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations committees are known throughout the nation. Because of his efforts, he has earned the respect of the national conservation and environmental community. He is regularly referred to as the "voice of reason" on conservation in the Senate and we are very blessed to have him in Washington to make sure we have sound conservation programs.

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