To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the annual enrollment of land in the wetlands reserve program, to extend the program through 2005, and for other purposes. (Introduced in the House)

HR 2066 IH

106th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2066

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the annual enrollment of land in the wetlands reserve program, to extend the program through 2005, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 8, 1999

Mr. PICKERING (for himself, Mr. THOMPSON of California, and Mr. CHAMBLISS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the annual enrollment of land in the wetlands reserve program, to extend the program through 2005, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM.

(a) ANNUAL ENROLLMENT AUTHORITY- Section 1237(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph (1):

`(1) ANNUAL ENROLLMENT AUTHORITY- For calendar years 2000 through 2005, the Secretary may enroll up to 250,000 acres annually in the wetlands reserve program.'.

(b) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM- Section 1237(c) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3837(c)) is amended by striking `2002' and inserting `2005'.

(1) by striking `or' at the end of paragraph (2);

(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting `; or'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(4) suitable for the establishment of wetland functions and values, and that would contribute substantially to the habitat objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, but has not historically been wetlands.'.

(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- Section 1237F of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3837f) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b):

`(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement for the acquisition of goods or services, including personal services, with a State, a political subdivision or agency of a State, a public or private agency, an organization, or any other person, without regard to any requirements for competition, if the Secretary determines that--

`(1) the objectives of the agreement will serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in wetland conservation;

`(2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of the objectives; and

`(3) the agreement will further the purposes of this subchapter.'.