The Senate Appropriations Committee’s fiscal year 2018 legislation cuts $300 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. National Association of Conservation Districts President Brent Van Dyke says his group is disappointed with that proposal.

He says cutting $300 million from EQIP hampers producers efforts to practice sustainable agriculture.

Van Dyke says, as a result, his group will ask Congress to restore EQIP funding.

Van Dyke says they were pleased, however, Senate appropriators provided nearly $769 million for the Conservation Technical Assistance program. It provides technical help to landowners for water quality protection, enhancing soil health and boosting wildlife habitat.