Soil conservation policy for the future

FASHIONING soil conservation policy for the 1980s and beyond is a challenge for members of Congress and other policy-makers. During the 97th Congress, the Agriculture Committee in both the House and the Senate considered, as part of the 1981 farm bill, a forward-looking conservation title. This legislation should not be considered the ultimate answer, but rather one early and important step in establishing an effective conservation strategy for the future. At the same time Congress was building a conservation policy into the 1981 farm bill, the Reagan Administration was preparing its report to Congress on the status of America's land and water resources and the effectiveness of current conservation programs. Congress required this report under the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977. On October 28, the final draft report was presented to the Agriculture Committees of both houses and submitted to the public for comment. The conservation policy in the farm bill and the program recommended by the administration contain many similarities. The goal or objective in both is to develop a conservaton program that will meet the needs of the 1980s and beyond. A need for greater emphasis Few people question the need …