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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-123 CROP TYPE IRRIGATION METHOD ACRES IN PROJECT STUDY AREA WILDLIFE FEED None 300 Total Cropland 20,108 Prime and Unique Farmland and Farmland of Statewide Importance In 1981, Congress passed the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-98) containing the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA). The FPPA is intended to minimize the impact federal programs have on the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. For the purpose of FPPA, farmland includes prime farmland, unique farmland, and land of statewide or local importance. Farmland subject to FPPA requirements does not have to be currently used for cropland. It can be forest land, pastureland, cropland, or other land, but not water or urban built-up land. Projects are subject to FPPA requirements if they may irreversibly convert farmland (directly or indirectly) to non-agricultural use and are completed by a federal agency or with assistance from a federal agency. The assessment is completed on form AD-1006, Farmland Conversion Impact Rating. Lands may also be classified by the FPPA as Farmland of Statewide Importance, determined by Washington State, that are lands other than prime and unique that is used for the production of feed, food, fiber, forage, or oilseed crops. Conservation Reserve Program The USDA manages the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. This voluntary program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with federal, state, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The CRP reduces soil erosion, protects the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filterstrips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices. The 2008 Farm Bill prohibits the release of CRP participation data specific to parcels unless specific written permission is granted from the landowners who are in the program. The USDA can then provide information. Data obtained from the Washington State Department of Agriculture provides information regarding CRP lands specific to Public Land Survey System (PLSS) sections (acres per section). There is CRP land potentially within the Project study area in the Badger Pocket and Moxee Valley areas; the exact location of these lands is unknown, but they do not fall within JBLM YTC where route segments of the NNR Alternative are located. Other CRP land may be crossed in the Moxee Valley along Route Segments 2b, 2c, and 2d. Known CRP Lands in the Project study area for each PLSS section where CRP lands occur are shown in Appendix A: Agriculture and Irrigation (map pages 1-7). 3.4.2.7 Rangeland Livestock grazing on rangelands is another land use occurring on public and private lands in Kittitas, Yakima, and Grant Counties in the Project study area. BLM has authorized six grazing leases (allotments) on public lands it manages in the Project study area. Reclamation has authorized one grazing lease in the Project study area. The DNR has authorized eight grazing leases on state trust lands. WSDOT does not have any grazing leases in the Project study area. Table 3.4-3 shows the BLM land grazing leases, Table 3.4-4 shows Reclamation grazing leases, and Table 3.4-5 shows DNR grazing leases in the Project study area. Cattle yard and feed operations (feedlot) also occur in the Project study area. A cattle feed yard is located on Road O SW extension north of Road 24 SW.