[Pollinator] 1. Still time to sign on in support of Blumenauer pollinator habitat bill. 2. Boxer Bill # is S. 1694. 3. Durbin cosponsors S. 1496. 4. Senate Ag Farm Bill Chmn's Mark Released soon.

[R. Thomas Van Arsdall]

Signatories to date on the group statement in support of the legislation is
provided on the attached.  Please advise asap if you would like to be added.

The goal remains to get the legislation introduced today.  Any cosponsor
support efforts welcome.  James Koski is lead point of contact in
Blumenauer’s office.

FYI we understand Blumenauer staff has requested bill language from
legislative counsel on the following (will provide final as soon as
available).

Blumenauer Pollinator Habitat Legislation:
In addition to the three conservation programs (CSP, EQIP, CRP) amended by
the Senate Baucus bill (S. 1496), Blumenauer would also expand the
definition of the following additional programs to include "pollinators" or
"pollinator habitat" as appropriate:
•       Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 
•       Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program 
•       Grasslands Reserve Program 
•       Wetlands Reserve Program 
•       Watershed Rehabilitation Program 
In addition, Blumenauer would add a "Whereas" or "Sense of Congress" section
that makes two points - 
1.      Whereas the awareness about the importance of pollinator protection
to agricultural producers and ecosystem health is a necessary step in
facilitating pollinator stewardship, protection and habitat conservation it
is recommended that the Natural Resources Conservation Service designate
pollinator protection as a "national priority resource concern" for its
conservation implementation programs.
2.      Whereas an obstacle for protecting and strengthening pollinator
habitat is a chronic shortage of seed and nursery stock for native plants,
it is recommended that the Natural Resources Conservation Service continue
efforts to make nurseries and land managers aware of pollinator-friendly
native plants.

*****
FYI-11-FYI Sen Boxer's pollinator research bill # is S. 1694.
A bill to authorize resources for sustained research and analysis to address
colony collapse disorder and the decline of North American pollinators.
Cosponsors:

Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 6/26/2007 Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] -
6/26/2007 
Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 6/26/2007 Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] -
6/26/2007 
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 6/26/2007 Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 6/26/2007 
Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] - 6/26/2007 Sen Thune, John [SD] - 6/26/2007

FYI-2-Durbin has signed on as cosponsor of S. 1496.

FYI-3-Senate Ag Committee Chairman's mark of the farm bill will be available
shortly.  We will advise re pollinator/pollinator habitat provisions
included.  Markup after July 4 recess.  

On House side the Chairman's manager's amendment to the provisions passed
out of the Subcommittees will be made available shortly before full Ag Cmte
markup, after July 4th recess.  No pollinator-beneficial provisions were
included in the conservation, research bills as reported out of the
Subcommittee.  Efforts will continue.

Bee Ready for National Pollinator Week, June 24-30, 2007! For more info: 
www.pollinator.org 
 
R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Public Affairs Representative for Coevolution
Institute/NAPPC
   Van Arsdall & Associates
   13605 McLane Place
   Fredericksburg, VA  22407-2344
   (540) 785-0949
   tom at vanarsdall.com 

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