Here is some suggested language to be included in the definition of “marginal pastureland.”  

For the purposes of CRP and CREP, marginal pastureland shall include: 

a) 'Extremely Droughty Soils' - soils with very low production potential due to deep water tables and/or very low water holding capacity.  The low production potential limits the economic return and the sustained use as pasture on these sites.

b) 'Steep and Highly Erodible Soils' - soils with limited  potential for production and utilization and a high potential for soil erosion.  Reduced forage yields, limited utilization by animals, and severe erosion concerns exist on these sites. (Note: this  probably will apply only in the panhandle, therefore not within the current CREP)

c)...see comment below ...; 

d).....................................; OR 

e). ...................................

Here is some additional language for consideration.  Please note: this language is strongly supported by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the water management districts that will be actively involved in implementing the CREP program in Florida.  These agencies feel this language is critical to being able to properly carry out the CREP program in Florida.

Florida's cattle producers also have reviewed this language (including the managers of two operations with the largest landholdings in Florida).  They want to be sure that, if ANY pastureland that is currently used for pasture is designated as "marginal pastureland," so these lands will qualify for voluntary enrollment in CRP or CREP, that this definition cannot at some point be used to limit the use of these lands for pastures under any other program or initiative.

The agencies that will be implementing CREP have worked hard to craft the following definition to optimize the benefits that can be derived from the program.  They've also made several changes in the language they originally proposed in an attempt to ameliorate producer concerns. Producers support the CREP program and also want to optimize its benefits, but they do not want to create any "unintended consequence" that could limit their use of "hydric pasturelands" now or at any time in the future.

So a compromise is needed.  It is going to be critically important to prescribe how this definition is to be used.  It should be specifically limited to lands in which the owner/operator voluntarily  expresses a desire to participate in CRP or CREP.  It also should be expressly stated that the definition cannot used for any other purpose, including efforts by any person, organization or agency to limit grazing on lands covered by the definition.

For the purposes of enrolling lands in CRP and CREP on a voluntary basis only, through applications initiated by the owner/operator, marginal pastureland also shall include: 

c)  'Hydric pasturelands' (or hydrologically altered pastures) - wetlands that have been converted to an agricultural use, which are currently in pasture, that still function as wetlands, or can be restored or rehydrated to function as wetlands to increase water storage in the watershed, improve water quality or provide habitat for wetland dependent wildlife.