WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 17, 2017) — Today, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced the Regional Conservation Partnership Program Improvement Act of 2017 along with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) that proposes to make important improvements to the program and invest in America’s watersheds.

In response, the National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Collin O’Mara said:

“A big thanks to Senators Stabenow and Ernst for their work to improve the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), one of the great breakthroughs in voluntary farm conservation. Bold, bipartisan leadership such as this is exactly what this Congress needs as it begins debating a new Farm Bill. No policy is perfect from the get-go, and the RCPP’s flexible and innovative approach to watershed management has pushed through its growing pains and demonstrated its promise.

“This bill makes needed improvements to program implementation while also expanding its funding base to ensure more good work can be done. Provided that these changes enhance rather than detract from the funding and objectives of other important Farm Bill conservation programs, this bill provides the agriculture committee a strong starting point to ensure that the 2018 Farm Bill will improve and increase investment in America’s farmland, watersheds, and wildlife. We look forward to continuing to work to improve farm bill conservation programs such as RCPP in the 2018 Farm Bill.”