10-R192

2010 -- H 8056

Enacted 04/28/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO

INCORPORATE CHANGES TO THE FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM

Introduced By: Representatives M Rice, Pollard, Naughton, Walsh, and Pacheco

Date Introduced: April 27, 2010

     WHEREAS, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Ranch

Lands Protection Program (FRPP) can be an effective partner to Rhode Island and to regional

efforts to preserve productive farmland; and

     WHEREAS, The interim proposed and final rule, and certain standards under which the

FRPP Program is now operating, imposes new and restrictive requirements which often have the

opposite effect; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recommends that the USDA incorporate changes in the program

required by the 2008 Farm Bill. The changes are recommended by farmland protection

organizations including the State of Rhode Island, Agricultural Land Preservation Commission

and the State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management. These changes would

reduce the FRPP Program’s administrative burdens and increase its flexibility, including

providing for a meaningful certification process and standards that provide significant and

valuable return to those organizations with certified status. This would allow for the use of

certified entities to use their own easement terms and conditions, project criteria, and selection

process. In particular, the prohibition on the use of FRPP funds for the protection of farmland

growing turf grass, sod, or nursery crops should be immediately eliminated, as these are

significant and valuable crops for Rhode Island and New England and comprise a significant

percentage of existing farmland whose potential loss because of FRPP restrictions will have a

lasting and permanent effect on Rhode Island’s agricultural landscape; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives urges the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation to support efforts to require the USDA to implement FRPP as Congress has directed;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

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LC02492

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