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During this signup period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land through the local Farm Service Agency county office.
“Farm Service Agency is celebrating the 25th year of the Conservation Reserve Program,” said Dolcini. “During these many years, CRP has been tremendously successful in improving wildlife habitat and the environmental quality of our land, air and water resources. These resources are the treasures of our rural landscape.”
CRP is a voluntary program that allows environmentally sensitive land be used for conservation benefits. Producers accepted in the program plant long-term, resource conserving vegetative covers in exchange for rental payments, cost share and technical assistance.
By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP protects groundwater and improves the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds and streams.
The vegetative covers offers improved wildlife habitat, making it a major contributor to the increase in wildlife population.
FSA evaluates and ranks eligible land offered for CRP using the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI).
The EBI review looks at five environmental factors: wildlife, water, soil, air and enduring benefits, as well as cost. The land is ranked based on which would offer the greatest environmental benefits.
In addition to this general sign-up, CRP’s continuous sign-up program is ongoing. Continuous acres represent the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land.
For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.
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Caltrans implements a DBE Program as a condition of receiving $3 billion in federal transportation funding annually.
The program ensures a level playing field for disadvantaged and small businesses competing for public
contracts.
“This decision affirms that Caltrans' efforts to level the playing field are constitutionally sound and will ensure that billions of dollars in federal transportation funds continue flowing to California,” said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim. “We will continue to reach out to disadvantaged businesses and hope our program serves as a model for other states to follow.”
In 2005, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals provided new guidance to states on implementation of DBE programs (Western States Paving vs. Washington State Department of Transportation).
In response, Caltrans conducted a study to identify the existence and scope of discrimination, if any, in the highway transportation contracting industry in California.
The study was completed in 2007 and identified significant disparities in contract dollars awarded to African-American, Asian Pacific- American, Native American and women-owned firms.
To address those disparities, Caltrans proposed the use of both race-neutral and race-conscious means in its contracting programs.
In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the proposal, which includes an overall goal of 13.5 percent DBE involvement.
In June 2009, the Pacific Legal Foundation filed its complaint in federal court on behalf of Associated General Contractors of San Diego, asking the court to declare Caltrans’ DBE Program unconstitutional and order it halted.
On March 23, Judge Mendez determined that the program satisfied constitutional requirements and denied the plaintiff’s request.
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