A state and federal partnership for soil and wildlife conservation

Excerpt

CHANGES in American agriculture have had a profound effect on wildlife resources. The decline in abundance of many species is weil documented (3, 4, 14). Wildlife professionals and organizations repeatedly have made suggestions for altering federal agricultural policies, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service cost-share concepts, and tax benefits as means for conserving soil and wildlife resources (2).

States have responded to habitat losses by promoting a variety of habitat development, restoration, stocking, cost-share, or tax benefit programs. These have met with limited success (5). Nationally, Congress, through the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977, charged the Soil Conservation Service with maintaining the quality and quantity of soil resources and providing for fish and wildlife habitat.

Under the auspices of RCA, SCS in Missouri redirected personnel and funds to critical soil erosion problem areas. Emphasis was put on applying conservation management practices and trying new approaches to resource conservation on a limited or pilot basis. The Missouri Department of Conservation joined this effort on the basis that (a) fish and wildlife habitat management goals and soil conservation goals are compatible and (b) sound soil and water conservation programs, properly administered at the state and county levels, can …