Farm Bill Reauthorization and Historic Preservation
H.R. 6124
Title: To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] (introduced 5/22/2008) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.R.2419, H.R.3246, S.2302
Latest Major Action: 6/18/2008 Passed Senate over veto. Status: Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 151.
Note: H.R. 6124 contains 15 farm bill titles. Previously, the House and Senate passed H.R. 2419 over veto, enacting 14 of 15 farm bill titles into law.
Background
Congress authorizes a new farm bill every five years to establish the nation's agricultural policy priorities. Included in 2008 iteration of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) are titles that include historic preservation provisions that are relevant to rural heritage and conservation.
Status
The five-year authorization of agriculture programs became law on June 18th along with important historic preservation provisions when Congress overrode President Bush's veto a second time. The House voted, 317-109, to override the veto of the bill (HR 6124), and the Senate followed suit, 80-14, several hours later. Congress cleared the bill June 5, and the president vetoed it Wednesday, reiterating his criticisms that the $289 billion price tag was excessive and that the bill does too little to trim crop subsidies, among other things.
The National Trust will turn its attention to working with staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure the historic preservation provisions in the farm law will be maintained during the regulatory process.
Summary of Historic Preservation Provisions
The National Trust and its partners are pleased the following important historic preservation initiatives are included in the 2008 Farm Law:
Rural Heritage
- Included in the Rural Development title is the Rural Collaborative Investment Program (RCIP), which is designed to, among other things, "provide regions with a flexible investment vehicle…to achieve measurable community and economic prosperity, growth and sustainability."
- Within RCIP is the Regional Innovation Grants Program which provides grants to Regional Boards (created under RCIP) "for use in implementing projects and initiatives that are identified" in other sections of the RCIP program. A preference would be given to an application proposing projects and initiatives that "protect and promote rural heritage." In addition, one of the purposes of the grant is "to preserve and promote rural heritage."
- According to the RCIP definitions section, "In general, the term 'rural heritage' means historic sites, structures, and districts. The term 'rural heritage' includes historic rural downtown areas and main streets, neighborhoods, farmsteads, scenic and historic trails, heritage areas, and historic landscapes."
- The Rural Collaborative Investment Program is authorized at $135 million over 5 years. A Regional Board may not receive more than $6 million during any 5 year period under the Regional Innovation Grants Program.
The National Trust looks forward to working with the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees to ensure this important program receives the appropriations funding it needs to be implemented. This will encourage rural communities to put into practice rural heritage based, sustainable economic development projects.
Farmland Protection Program and Grasslands Reserves
- In the Conservation Title, land that "contains historic and archeological resources" is eligible to be included in the Farmland Protection and Grasslands Reserve Programs. The Farmland Protection Program has played an instrumental role in permanently protecting prime, unique, and important farmland. The program has successfully kept our nation's historical farms in agricultural use that often border National Parks, Civil War Battlefields and ancient Indian mounds. Including historical or archaeological resources as eligible land in the Grassland Reserve Program will provide an additional tool to protect historic farmland throughout the United States.
Historic Barns
- The Historic Barn Preservation Program housed within the Rural Development title is reauthorized, with emphasis on funds for barn inventory surveys. It would add more historic agricultural architecture to the National Register and take steps to preserve these important historic pieces of the rural landscape that reflect our nation's past. The National Trust will work with its partners to support efforts to secure appropriations for this program.
Conservation Easements
- The Farm Bill extends by two years the special rule regarding contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes. The voluntary use of conservation easements has long been recognized as an effective preservation tool. We look forward to working with our partners to permanently extend this successful conservation easement donation incentive to protect rural historic resources, including open farmland near historic sites and battlefields.
