Pheasants Forever Action Alert: Protect Our Prairies
Your call could save taxpayers nearly 200 million dollars and protect critical grassland habitat
March 22 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever urges its members nationwide to contact their House Representative and ask them to protect vital pheasant, quail, and wildlife habitats that have never been farmed.
Tell them to co-sponsor Protect Our Prairies Act - HR686.
This legislation, introduced by Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), would reduce crop insurance assistance for the first four years for crops grown on native sod and certain grasslands converted to cropland. Reducing crop insurance assistance so it is proportionate with the production capability of this land, rather than insuring it at the same rate as land that has been farmed for years, could save taxpayers nearly $200 million over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate from the 112th Congress.
We are not alone in working to pass this Act; instead, Pheasants Forever is one of the many conservation groups voicing support for this legislation.
"Prairies and grasslands are treasured resources playing a critical role in reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and enhancing wildlife habitat. It isn't often we can encourage proper land stewardship and provide savings to taxpayers. We applaud Representatives Tim Walz, Kristi Noem and other sponsors for doing just that. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pleased to support the Protect Our Prairies Act," said Dave Nomsen, Vice President of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever.
Importantly, this legislation does not prevent producers from making their own planting decisions.
Specifically, the legislation would:
- Limit crop insurance coverage to 65 percent of the applicable T-Yield until the acreage has four years of crop production.
- Limit the premium subsidy to 50 percentage points less than the premium subsidy that would otherwise be available until the acreage has four years of crop production.
- Make the acreage ineligible for yield substitution.
To find your state Representative, click here. We ask you to make a phone call and tell them, “Please co-sponsor Protect Our Prairies Act - HR686 and defend grasslands for pheasants, quail and other wildlife. It's important to ME because..."
Thank you for standing up for America’s sportsmen and women!
Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.