LEESPORT - Farmers are
being told that if they drain or
farm a wetland, they will lose
benefits from a large number of U.
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Farm Bill’s ‘Swampbuster’ Discourages Cropping Wetlands
S. Department of Agriculture
programs. The question many
farmers are asking is, “what is a
wetland?”
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According to Robert Heidecker,
state resource conservationist,
USDA Soil Conservation Service,
under the swampuster provision of
the 1985 Farm Bill, USDA defines a
wetland as soils that are covered
with standing water or are water
saturated most of the year, to the
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extent that they grow mostly water
loving plants. “Both conditions,
wet soils and wetland plants, must
exist for the land to be classed as a
wetland,” added Heidecker. The
USDA Soil Conservation Service
(SCS) maintains lists of wet soils
and water-loving plants which
make up a wetland designation.
Farmers who plant a crop on an
existing wetland or on a wetland
that was drained and filled since
December 23,1985 will not be able
to participate in most other USDA
farm programs. This includes such
USDA farm programs as com
modity price supports, Farmers
Home Administration loans, crop
insurance, CCC storage payments,
farm storage facility loans and
conservation reserve program
annual payments. Heidecker
reminded farmers that eligibility
will be lost not only for the wetland
that is cropped, but for the entire
farm operation.
“Eligibility may be regained any
year by not planting a crop on the
converted wetland.” added
Heidecker.
Exceptions to the swampbuster
provision are (1) if the wetland
was drained prior to December 23,
1985; (2) if the wetland results
from an artificail condition, such
as irrigation; (3) crops were
planted on the wetland as a result
of natural conditions such as
drought; and (4) where SCS has
determined that conversion would
have a minimal effect on wetland
values.
The swampbuster provision of
the Food Security Act of 1985,
commonly referred to as the 1985
Farm Bill, is aimed at
discouraging the conversion of
wetland to agricultural purposes.
Many farmers have drained and
planted wetlands to crops, under
incentives offered through various
commodity support programs.
More than one-half of the
wetlands that existed when
America was settled are gone.
Wetlands are some of our most
diverse and productive habitat for
waterfowl and wildlife. They help
control floodwaters, recharge
aquifiers and provide many
recreational and environmental
opportunities.
For more information on
Swampbuster, contact the local
office or the Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation
Service (ASCS). SCS Con
servationists can tell you if you
have wetlands. ASCS personnel
can provide information about the
effects of Swampbuster on USDA
assistance programs.
KEN CLUGSTON VERNON SEIBEL
665-6775 665-2782
CRAFT-SILT
CONSTRUCTION INC.
FARM-HOME BUILDING
R.DJ2 MANHEIM, PA.
PH: 665-4372
BUILDING & REM
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BEEF STORAGE
FRANK A.
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Call: Frank Flllippo - *
Residence • 215-666-0725
Elam Ginder- 717-367-3924
C.L. King-717-786-7229
DELING FOR
RESIDENTAL