American farmers are eligible to receive federal funding and incentives in return for engaging in important conservation practices, such as agreeing to protecting wetlands, or agreeing not to plow over grasslands.
These aren’t regulations; they are a pact between the farmer and the government, one that uses the power of the purse to protect the natural world.
The court challenge
A program to conserve wetlands was challenged in court. CTM Holdings, the farmer, argued that denying its ability to alter the landscape was essentially a “taking” of the land.
Thankfully, a federal district judge didn’t buy it, noting that the farmer wasn’t prevented from draining the wetlands. The judge wrote: “Plaintiff is voluntarily accepting the government’s offer by accepting USDA benefits. In return, plaintiff is agreeing to not destroy or alter its wetlands.”
He added, “Plaintiff can use its land any way it wants at any time. The only consequence is a potential loss of certain USDA benefits.”
Why it matters
Roughly 39% of the U.S. is farmland. If we’re going to better protect America’s wildlife and habitats, and if we’re going to clean America’s waters, America’s farmers will need to play a big role, making programs that incentivize conservation essential.
Unwinding this compact with farmers would’ve threatened far too many farm conservation programs and would’ve harmed farmers in the process. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
You can read more about the case in this Izaak Walton League blog.
Urge Congress: Save America’s grasslands
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Urge Congress: Save America’s grasslands
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Save America’s Wildlife
