Slashing water welfare
The Bureau
of Reclamation released new rules this month to stop corporate
farms from using subsidized water meant for family farmers. In a
1993 court settlement with the Natural Resources Defense Council,
the Bureau promised to look comprehensively at the Reclamation
Reform Act of 1982 and propose regulations to close loopholes.
Subsidies are now going to large farms even though the 1982 law set
a cap of 960 acres. “This is essentially cutting welfare to
agribusiness,” says Ronnie Weiner of NRDC. Although the new rules
also require landowners leasing federal water to take steps toward
water conservation, Weiner worries that BuRec enforcement remains
weak. Weiner hopes that by eliminating subsidies and encouraging
conservation, farmers will voluntarily leave more water in streams
for environmental needs. BuRec will sponsor a series of
informational forums May 1-5 on its proposed rules and eight
regional public hearings May 8-11 on the rules and the accompanying
draft environmental impact statement. Written comments must be
received by May 31 for the rules and by June 2 for the EIS. Call
the Bureau of Reclamation for details or for a copy of the draft
EIS, 303/236-1061 ext. 237. To comment by telephone, call
1-800/861-5443.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Slashing water welfare.
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