SA 3721. Mr. SCHUMER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3500 proposed by Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. BAUCUS, and Mr. GRASSLEY) to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 305, after line 19, add the following:
SEC. 2202. MUCK SOIL CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a muck soil conservation grant program under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible owners and operators of land described in subsection (b) to assist the owners and operators to conserve and improve the soil, water, and wildlife resources of the land.
(b) Eligible Owner or Operator.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an individual shall be an owner of operator of land--
(1) that is comprised of soil that qualifies as muck, as determined by the Secretary;
(2) that is used for production of an agricultural crop;
(3) within which is planted, during each appropriate growing season--
(A) a spring cover crop that is planted in conjunction with a primary agricultural crop described in paragraph (2); and
(B) a winter crop; and
(4) that has ditch banks that are--
(A) seeded with grass; and
(B) maintained on a year-round basis.
(c) Amount of Grant.--A grant provided under this section shall be in an amount that is--
(1) not less than $300 per acre, per year; and
(2) not greater than $500 per acre, per year.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 15, 2007.)