Legislation would streamline conservation practice standards

In a push to make more conservation practices that improve water quality and soil health available to landowners, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., reintroduced legislation to modernize the approval process for conservation technologies. 

The “Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act” would require the Natural Resources Conservation Service to update the review process for existing conservation practice standards at least once every five years on a rolling basis. It would also require USDA to publish a timeline of review for practices and maintain an internet portal for public submission. 

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“When I meet with farmers across the great state of Iowa, I consistently hear how outdated USDA standards are holding back conservation efforts,” Ernst said “Our farmers and producers are committed to protecting our soil and water, but they need a system that works with them —not against them.”

To make the standards more transparent, the bill would also require USDA to provide information on what data and scientific information must be considered in establishment of a new standard.