USDA reorganization must ensure strong conservation focus

Excerpt

EXPRESSING concern about what negative impacts reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture might have on the department's environmental programs, SWCS Board of Directors approved a policy position on USDA with six principles to guide decisions on the pending reorganization.

Communiques were sent to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and Congressional leaders from the SWCS applauding efforts to reorganize USDA and achieve greater economic efficiencies and more client-friendly service in the department's field offices. Also stressed in the communique that agricultural-related environmental issues remain high on the public's agenda.

The Board of Directors also adopted a POsition on HR1440 (the English Bill for comprehensive site specific resource management plans) that says 1. there is a need for moving away from single purpose plans to integrated plans; 2. concepts presented in the bill are generally sound; 3. the time periods for development of regulations and implementation are much too short; 4. there are questions to be resolved as to ensuring that the administering agency will have sufficient funds and staffing expertise to carry …