What is the swampbuster provision?
These provisions, often referred to as Swampbuster provisions, state that a person will be ineligible for all or a portion of certain USDA program benefits, including loans, subsidies, crop insurance, and price support programs, if the person produces an agricultural commodity on wetland that was converted after …
What did the swampbuster provision of the Food Security Act do to protect wetlands?
Swampbuster is a provision officially titled the Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-198) that discourages the conversion of wetlands to cropland use. Wetland conversions includes drainage or removal of woody vegetation (7 CFR 12.2).
Why are wetlands converted into farmland?
Wetlands help provide habitat, mitigate flooding and filter excess nutrients and contaminants from lakes and other water bodies.
What is a USDA wetland determination?
Introduction. Certified wetland determinations offer landowners the assurance of a final wetland determination for areas they intend to manipulate on their land. A certified determination will not change as long as the site remains in agricultural use (provided no violations occur).
Can I farm a wetland?
Options for wetlands: Grow healthy soil “If you have a field or area of the field designated as a wetland, you can continue to farm it, as long as you don’t alter the drainage system to improve drainage,” Zimprich says.
Which of the following US government agencies provides protection for wetlands located on agricultural lands?
The five Federal agencies that share the primary responsibility for protecting wetlands include the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); the Department of Commerce, National …
Why do farmers drain wetlands?
Draining wetlands for agricultural uses is attractive to farm operators for several reasons. It allows farm operators to expand their cultivated land base. Draining of wetlands also reduces additional machine operating costs associated with navigating equipment around wetland areas.
Can you drain a wetland?
A. Yes. Landowner legal liability for draining or filling wetlands is important to wetland regulations for several reasons.
How long is a wetland determination good for?
5-years
Once approved, a wetland delineation determination is good for 5-years.
What is the difference between wetland determination and delineation?
With this information Cardno then helps clients determine how the wetlands may affect their project and what state or federal permits may be required. A wetland delineation is a more detailed process that specifically defines the legal boundary of jurisdictional wetlands on a property.
Do blueberries grow in wetlands?
They’re not only indigenous to North America but also heavily populated in the state of Michigan. But when speaking of wild highbush blueberries growing in Michigan, we almost always refer to them growing in wetland ecosystems. They like the high organic matter and steady moisture supply.
What does swampbusters stand for?
The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions (Swampbuster) were introduced in the 1985 Farm Bill, with amendments in 1990, 1996 and 2002.
Who administers the Swampbuster provisions?
FSA and NRCS administer the Swampbuster provisions. FSA makes determinations regarding such things as whether land is or was planted to an agricultural commodity or was designated as conservation use; the establishment of field boundaries; whether or when conversion of a wetland commenced; and amounts of benefit reductions.
What is the difference between Section 404 and Swampbuster?
Similar to the Section 404 program, the Swampbuster program generally allows the continuation of most farming practices so long as wetlands are not converted or wetland drainage increased. However, certain activities such as clearing, draining, or otherwise converting a wetland are activities addressed by the Swampbuster program.
What is the farm bill and how does it affect wetlands?
The Farm Bill allows producers to convert wetlands for production of an agricultural commodity, if they compensate for the wetland functions that are lost. Landowners can work with USDA, conservation districts, or others to choose the best ways to mitigate wetlands.