USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2002—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking public comments on the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), formerly known as the Farmland Protection Program. The 2002 Farm Bill amended the program and a proposed rule was published in today’s Federal Register, Oct. 29, 2002.

“While the name of the program has changed to more accurately reflect that both farms and ranches are eligible for assistance, the program’s purpose, which is to protect prime, unique and important soil from conversion to nonagricultural uses through the purchase of conservation easements, remains the same,” said NRCS Chief Bruce I. Knight.

The proposed rule establishes eligibility criteria, state ranking considerations and guidelines for program administration. USDA encourages written comments on the proposed rule from individuals as well as governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations during the 60 day comment period. The proposed rule can be viewed at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/FBRules.html
 

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