KLAMATH BASIN PRODUCERS BENEFIT FROM FARM BILL

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2002 -- More than 100 landowners and managers attended a workshop in Klamath Falls, Ore., to learn about a provision of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (2002 Farm Bill) that set aside $50 million for the Klamath Basin. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District conducted the workshop, which is one of several to be held on cost-effective land management techniques .

The 2002 Farm Bill provides the resources to producers in the Klamath Basin to help address water conservation issues such as water quality and quantity and irrigation systems. NRCS will use a ranking system for fund distribution and will distribute funding throughout the life of the Farm Bill. In addition, the 2002 Farm Bill provides technical and financial assistance, conservation tillage and residue management techniques and noxious weed identification and control programs.

"Aid to Klamath Basin farmers is a key priority for the Bush Administration," Veneman said. "These kinds of workshops help ensure that farmers and ranchers from the Basin area are fully informed of the benefits available to them."

In March 2002, President Bush established a cabinet-level Klamath River Basin

Federal Working Group to address concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, fisherman, Tribes and others affected by the difficult conditions in Klamath. The Working Group will work with farmers and ranchers to implement these Farm Bill conservation programs.

The Farm Bill simplifies existing programs and offers new programs to address high priority environmental and production goals. It also contains record-level support for environmental stewardship. The conservation provisions in the Farm Bill are designed to help farmers and ranchers meet environmental challenges on their land.

The conservation programs in the 2002 Farm Bill include: the Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Farmland Protection Program and the Wetland Reserve Program.

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve natural resources and environment.

More information about the 2002 Farm Bill is located at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill .

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