United States · Amendment · HAMDT

HAMDT 685 (101st)

An amendment comprised of several amendments en bloc to require USDA to conduct an evaluation, including onsite reviews and surveys, of how the conservation compliance provisions in current law are being implemented; to allow USDA to levy monetary penalties for violations of the conservation compliance and "sodbuster" provisions in current law--rather than cutting off all farm program benefits, as is now required. The amount of the penalty would depend on the severity of the violation, and benefits would still be cut off for certain repeat violations. ("Sodbuster" bars farming of highly erodible lands unless approved conservation measures have been implemented). The amendment also directs USDA to provide additional information to producers regarding the "flexible base" planting provisions in the bill; and, authorizes USDA to take certain steps to increase Conservation Reserve Program enrollment in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay area.