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Legislation would expedite federal cost-share relief programs after natural disasters

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced into the U.S. Senate that would expedite producers’ access to federal disaster relief programs.

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, sponsored by Republican Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), would provide producers who are impacted by natural disasters an option to receive an up-front cost share based on USDA estimates.

The bill would also adjust eligibility for producers impacted by any wildfire caused or spread by natural causes.

The legislation would reform ECP and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) by providing additional financial and technical assistance to repair and restore land.

Fischer says the bill would remove red tape and allow for producers to receive aid in a timey fashion.

Nebraska Cattleman and the Nebraska Farm Bureau support the legislation saying it addresses issues that farmers and ranchers face under the current program.