Sen. Dodd’s Rural Lands Conservation Bill Clears Committee

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to increase 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 cleared a key committee today.

“California must continue to lead the nation in encouraging farmers and ranchers to pursue conservation efforts, allowing people and the environment to reap the benefits,” Sen. Dodd said. “Good stewardship of rural lands is crucial to the sustainability and economic vitality of our state.”

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 cleared the Senate Natural Resources and Water committee and heads next to Appropriations. It is supported by The Nature Conservancy, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, Rural County Representatives of California and agricultural groups.

“I’m so glad Sen. Dodd has agreed to carry this legislation,” 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. 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.”

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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.