Representatives Newhouse and Schrier push for Washington conservation bill to aid farmers

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced a bipartisan bill to enhance conservation efforts in Washington state. 

According to a release by Congresswoman Schrier, The ENABLE Conservation Act strives to increase farmer participation in the Conservation Reserve Program’s SAFE initiative.

Schrier emphasized the eagerness of farmers and landowners to join the SAFE initiative, which compensates farmers for allowing their land to revert to its natural state, preserving habitats for threatened species. 

“Farmers and landowners are eager to participate in the SAFE initiative, which pays farmers to allow some of their land to return to its natural state, preserves vital habitat for threatened species, and has protected thousands of acres in Washington state,” said Schrier.

Newhouse highlighted the importance of removing barriers for farmers in Central Washington. 

“Many farmers across Central Washington work hard to protect habitats for vulnerable species, and this legislation ensures those who wish to participate in conservation programs like SAFE and CRP can do so without the burden of acreage caps,” said Newhouse.

The ENABLE Conservation Act would permanently establish the SAFE initiative under the Conservation Reserve Program, allowing more farmers to participate by simplifying the waiver process and allowing continuous enrollment beyond the usual 25% cap.

Aviva Glaser from the National Wildlife Federation praised the legislation for its potential to improve CRP access and benefits for wildlife. 

“This legislation will make commonsense improvements to CRP to make the program easier to access for farmers and landowners while improving the benefits for wildlife like the sage grouse and sharp tailed grouse,” said Glaser.

Kelly Susewind, Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, stressed the significance of the bill for conservation efforts on farmland across Washington.

“Failure to move this bill forward would hinder conservation efforts on thousands of acres of farmland in agricultural communities across Washington state,” said Susewind.

The bill seeks to revert to a policy under the 2014 Farm Bill, allowing SAFE and other programs to be exempt from the county cap if they meet shared goals of the USDA and the county.