I was recently wading through some documents about to be filed, when I ran across the following. The conservation provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill simplify existing conservation programs and improve their flexibility and efficiency. The Bill also creates some new programs and addresses high priority environmental protection goals. Allows up to 36.4 million acres to be enrolled at any one time.
New enrollments can replace expired or terminated contracts.
Allows owners or operators, who entered into a contract before 1995 to terminate contracts on certain acres after giving written notice. Contracts must have been in effect for at least five years. Lands with high environmental values are not eligible for early release. Provides the Secretary of Agriculture with discretionary authority to offer future early outs for CRP acres. Gives higher priority to areas where state or local governments offer financial or technical assistance, or where agricultural improvements will help meet water quality objectives Establishes 5 to 10 year contracts to provide technical assistance and pay up to 75 percent of the costs of conservation practices such as manure management systems, pest management, and erosion control.