Sen. Dodd's Conservation Bill Clears Committee

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to enhance conservation on California’s more than 76,000 farms and ranches cleared a key committee today. The bill would offer incentives and technical assistance for farmers to adopt practices that help wildlife and the environment.

“Good stewardship of California’s rural lands is crucial to the sustainability and economic vitality of our state,” Sen. Dodd said. “This bill will encourage farmers and ranchers to pursue conservation efforts, 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, the delivery of on-farm conservation practices has slowed, driven 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.

“What’s really important is that farming and ranching have the potential to be part of the solution for climate change, habitat protection and so many of the environmental challenges we face in California,” said Karen Buhr, executive director for the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.  “To proactively address these things while keeping agriculture strong is critical to all of our futures. I’m so glad Sen. Dodd has agreed to carry this legislation.”

The bill cleared the Senate Agriculture committee with unanimous bipartisan support and heads next to the Natural Resources and Water committee. It is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

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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.