Sen. Dodd Legislation Boosts Agricultural Conservation
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today that would enhance conservation on California’s more than 76,000 farms and ranches by offering incentives and technical assistance for adopting practices that help wildlife and the environment.
“California's agricultural and rural lands are critical to the sustainability and economic leadership of the state,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill would help put farmers and ranchers on the leading edge of conservation while supporting their economic vitality. Ultimately, it would boost the land’s resiliency and production, allowing people and the environment to reap the benefits.”
California agriculture is a $54 billion industry that generates at least $100 billion in related economic activity. Farmland provides many benefits including preservation of open space and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and social benefits. In recent years, especially during and after the drought, conservation practices have declined, driven in part by the rising cost of agricultural production, including water and energy costs.
Senate Bill 253 would revitalize conservation, providing assistance to agricultural producers who want to voluntarily make wildlife-friendly improvements on their land. The program would provide financial and technical assistance to create fish and wildlife habitat. It would provide added environmental benefits such as improved water quality, erosion control and conserved ground water. Eligible land would include cropland, rangeland, pastureland and other farm or ranch lands.
The bill is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts. “Working landscapes provided by California’s farmers and ranchers provide an essential element of the habitat conditions that migratory birds, fish and wildlife rely on,” said Jay Ziegler of The Nature Conservancy.
“Scientific analysis shows that the on-farm practices necessary to meet wildlife needs have declined substantially both during and after our recent drought. The legislation Sen. Dodd has introduced is designed to provide a path to design incentives for farmers to provide wildlife habitat consistent with their farming and ranching operations. This is a critical step forward in helping to protect wildlife habitat across California.”
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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.