The National Association of Conservation Districts is asking Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to remove federal reporting requirements that hinder landowner participation in conservation programs. NACD CEO Jeremy Peters says requiring federal conservation program participants to register with the federal government’s System for Award Management and to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System have prevented some producers from working with NRCS on conservation.

Current law requires all incorporated business entities to complete SAM and DUNS requirement to receive financial assistance from federal agencies. He says they’ve written to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to exempt conservationists from these requirements.

Peters says the red tape involved in SAM and DUNS along with recent budget cuts are discouraging participation in conservation programs and their resulting benefits.

He says they’re hoping for administrative action on these rules but are also supporting legislation that’s been introduced to correct the SAM and DUNS regulatory problem.