USDA seeks comments on proposed changes to managed haying, grazing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it will hold public meetings in Texas April 8-9 on proposed changes to managed haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land.

USDA's Farm Service Agency will hold a meeting April 8 at 9 a.m. at the Regency Inn Suites Hotel in Abilene. The second meeting will be April 9 at the Fifth Season Inn in Amarillo beginning at 1 p.m.

FSA is proposing rule changes to the frequency that managed haying and grazing is allowed on land enrolled in CRP. Public comments will be accepted at the meeting, and the public may also comment on changes to primary nesting season dates, during which managed haying and grazing are not permitted.

FSA will consider public comments when it prepares state-specific environmental assessments that will evaluate the effects of the proposed changes. The environmental assessments will aid USDA decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the benefits and potential impacts of the proposed changes to managed haying and grazing on CRP land.

Public comments can be submitted both electronically and by regular mail. They must be received by the close of business May 9.

Direct comments to: MHG EAs, Geo-Marine Incorporated, 2713 Magruder Blvd., Suite D, Hampton, Va. 23666-1572, or send them to the website: http://public.geo-marine.com.

These meetings are two of 14 public meetings to be held in 13 states where USDA is proposing rule changes to the managed haying and grazing program.

More information on meeting dates and locations is available on the project website.

For more information, contact Micky Woodard at (979) 680-5208.