National Conservation Districts Applaud Proposed Conservation Funding Increases In Biden Budget Proposal

On May 28, the National Association of Conservation Districts applauded the additional funding for conservation efforts in President Biden's proposed FY 2022 federal budget.

Within the conservation portfolio, the president’s FY22 budget proposes a funding level of $886 million for Conservation Operations, a $50 million increase to the account that funds conservation planning and technical assistance. 

The budget requests $774 million for the Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program within Conservation Operations.

“NACD applauds the additional funding for Conservation Operations, which funds Conservation Technical Assistance,” NACD President Michael Crowder said. “This program helps put boots on the ground in our communities to deliver locally-led conservation where it’s needed most.”

The budget also has discretionary funding requests for $175 million dollars for Watershed Operations and $10 million for Dam Rehab. The budget requests $20 million in discretionary funds for the Healthy Forest Reserve Program.

In addition, the budget also proposes $2.1 billion in mandatory budget increases over 10 years through different legislative proposals, which would need to be enacted by Congress-- 

-- Increase adoption of net-zero agriculture technology in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The estimated costs over four years are $400 million (2022 through 2025).

-- Increase Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations by $100 million per year. The estimated costs over 10 years are $1 billion.

-- Increase Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by $50 million per year for technology to increase drought resilience for agricultural producers. The estimated costs over 10 years are $500 million.

-- Increase adoption of net-zero agriculture technology in the Healthy Forests Reserve Program. The estimated costs over four years are $200 million (2024 through 2027).

“Robust conservation funding not only helps put conservation on the ground, it also facilitates local job creation and bolsters community infrastructure,” Crowder said. “At a time when we’re facing additional weather extremes, the investments proposed in the president’s budget will strengthen the health of our nation’s natural resources for years to come.”

Resource Links - Biden Budget:

-- U.S. Environmental Protection Release On FY 2022 Budget Request

-- Federal Office Of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement Release On Budget Request

-- U.S. Department Of Agriculture Release On FY 2022 Budget Request

-- White House Fact Sheet On Budget Request

-- FY 2022 President’s Budget Request

Related Articles - Federal Budget:

-- Biden's First Budget Makes Significant Investments In Abandoned Coal Mine Reclamation, Community Economic Development Efforts 

-- U.S. House Committee OKs Bipartisan Bills To Prevent Expiration Of Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Expand Economic Development Opportunities 

-- Proposed Biden Budget Makes Historic Investments In EPA Programs To Support States, Environmental Justice, Science, Reverses Years Of Declining Budgets 

-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Praises Biden Proposed Budget Giving Chesapeake Bay Program Full Funding

[Posted: May 28, 2021]  PA Environment Digest