SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

FSA is assessing mandatory and potential discretionary changes to CRP resulting from the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, by preparing a PEA to provide FSA decisionmakers, other agencies, Tribes, and the public with an analysis that evaluates effects in appropriate contexts, describes the intensity of adverse as well as beneficial impacts, and addresses cumulative environmental impacts associated with proposed programmatic changes to these programs. CRP was first ( printed page 52869) authorized in the Food Security Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1509-1514, 16 U.S.C. 3831-3835), and is governed by regulations in 7 CFR part 1410. CRP is a voluntary program that supports the implementation of long-term conservation measures designed to improve the quality of ground and surface waters, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive agricultural land. In return, CCC provides participants with rental payments and cost share assistance under contracts that extend from 10 to 15 years. CRP is a CCC program administered by FSA with the support of other Federal, State, and local agencies and organizations. More information on CRP is available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/​programs-and-services/​conservation-programs/​conservation-reserve-program/​index.

The CRP draft PEA is available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/​programs-and-services/​environmental-cultural-resource/​nepa/​current-nepa-documents/​index. The availability of the CRP draft PEA was announced on September 27, 2019, through an FSA news release; that announcement started the 30-day public comment period.

The draft PEA evaluates No Action and Proposed Action Alternatives to ensure the full range of mandatory and potential discretionary alternatives and impacts are analyzed. The alternatives and impacts included in the draft PEA will be amended, as appropriate, based on input from the public, other agencies, and Tribes submitted during this comment period, in the final PEA and FSA's decision document, which will made available at the site listed above under Addresses.