Release No. 0373.99
                                                               
                                                               
                                  Andrew Kauders (202) 720-4623
                                        andrew.kauders@usda.gov
                                     David White (202) 720-3210
                                           david.white@usda.gov


GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES PROCEDURAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA WETLANDS

     WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will move ahead with
procedural adjustments in the wetland delineation process in South Dakota.  

     In May 1999, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a new
directive to bring procedures for delineating agricultural wetlands in South
Dakota into compliance with national policy, leading Glickman to order a
review of wetlands delineation procedures.

     "It is essential that the changes affecting South Dakota wetlands
delineation be scientifically based, technically correct, and legally
defensible," Glickman said.  "Findings of a national review team indicated
that changes were necessary to meet the statutory requirements for identifying
agricultural wetlands according to the wetland conservation provisions of the
Food Security Act of 1985, known as Swampbuster."  Swampbuster provisions only
affect eligibility for USDA program benefits; they do not regulate wetlands.

     "Those changes will be incorporated into the delineation process, and
NRCS will work with producers, conservationists, and our local, state and
federal partners in South Dakota to ensure that implementation is
scientifically and legally sound," said Glickman.

     USDA is committed to the protection of America's wetlands and will
continue to encourage landowners to voluntarily restore, protect and enhance
wetlands through programs such as the Wetlands Reserve Program, Wildlife
Habitat Incentives Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the
National Conservation Buffer Initiative.

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