08/10/06 FB input on Cooperative Conservation

Washington Ag August 10, 2006 Several dozen people provided input in Spokane Wednesday at the first of many listening sessions the Bush Administration is holding on the subject of Cooperative Conservation. One of the questions citizens were asked to address was " How can the federal government better respect the interests of people with ownership in land, water and natural resources." Robyn Meenach, vice president of the Washington Farm Bureau told federal officials including Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, the answer to that is simple. Meenach: "Remember that private property rights are fundamental and are protected by our constitution both federally and in this state. And also that capitalism has served us well, not socialism. You cannot leave the burden on the landowner for public interest projects." Meenach emphasized that landowners should be compensated for environmental benefits they contribute to society and that programs which take land away from farmers, like buffers, do not enhance the long term economic viability of agriculture nor do they engender a spirit of collaborative cooperation. Meenach also called for reform of the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. I'm Bob Hoff.