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CONSERVATION BIOLOY Spring 2014 Althoff. Conservation Legislation. Pittman-Robertson Act (PR). Which species/group below of hunted wildlife do you think annually generates the most P-R money (aka excise tax revenue)? Why?. elk. rabbits. turkeys. waterfowl. squirrels. deer. doves.
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CONSERVATION BIOLOY Spring 2014 Althoff Conservation Legislation
Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) • Which species/group below of hunted wildlife do you think annually generates the most P-R money (aka excise tax revenue)? Why? elk rabbits turkeys waterfowl squirrels deer doves pheasants quail
NEPA(National Environmental Policy Act) • Passed/established in 1970 • Federal legislation • Administered by: Any Federal agency can act as “lead” agency • The mission of NEPA is to “encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment to….” • Funded—99%--by the agency(ies) that are proposing the change/project.
NEPA…con’t Tellico Dam vs. Snail Darter • Snail darter research, being done by a U. Tennessee biologist, was supported as part of a lawsuit originally associated with NEPA. It clearly became a key “test” of the Endangered Species Act. • The NEPA effort slowed the project but did not end up stopping it. Finally went to the Supreme Court…and there was follow-up congressional action
NEPA…con’tTellico Dam vs. Snail Darter Tennessee North Carolina
Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Passed/established in 1985 • Federal program developed with agriculture in mind. But think: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) • Administered by: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture & Farm Service Agency (FSA) • Funded by Congress – Federal Budget
Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Predecessor to this bill was the Soil Bank Program of the 1950’s (enacted in 1956…ran into early 1960’s)….at a time when farm commodity surpluses were increasing and net farm income was declining • The Soil Bank program had tremendous benefits to upland game bird populations (think pheasant, quail primarily) in the Midwest and Great Plains states.
Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • CRP essentially pays the “net” profit one might expect to earn from the land if they had invested in seed, planting, and harvest. • Rate paid per acre varies by region. Has varied from contract-to-contract. • USDA sets “cap” on total allowable acres. In 2010, that cap was at 32 million (32,000,000) acres. • Has been regular “refinement” of what constitutes good mgmt. of CRP land
Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Probably the most important piece of conservation legislation in the past 20-25 years in terms of impact because it affected wildlife habitat on private lands! • Gets renewed every 2-5 years…with increasing debate each time…and typically change (reduction) in the cap (aka allowable acres).
Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) Acres of general CRP signup for 2008 (29,651,000 acres as of 2011) Note each dot represents 10,000 acres
Keep in mind…. • Year enacted…. • Whether Congressional budget process (i.e., 1-, 2-year fiscal budget process) or… Whether “self-funded”….. Or policy (vs. legislation)….. • Consider whether used/effective in conjunction with other conservation legislation • Applicable to your Group Term Project?