D Loop Media

With the whirlwind that was the election of the 44th President past, it is time for those who claim to represent their constituencies to roll up the sleeves and dive in. 

First and foremost on the agenda for those concerned about waterfowl: the 2009 Farm Bill. 

In recent years, alternative fuels have been the talk of farmers and corporate giants alike, and the Farm Bill has followed suit. Most significantly, the ethanol boom that took the U.S. cornbelt by storm in the early 00's appeared too good to be true.  Corn commodity prices per bushel skyrocketed, and those drafting the respective Farm Bill were heavily subsidizing the drive, leaving much to be desired in terms of conservation allocations. We were apparently solving an imminent energy crisis and re-investing in the backbone of America; our farmers. But like all things that appear to good to be true, ethanol as our saviour was no exception. 

Politicians who won the hearts of Americas farmers conveniently swept the dirt on ethanol under the rug.  

Now for some of the dirt:

1. Ethanol production uses nearly as much energy as it puts out.

2. The amount of water used as coolant in this process is literally obscene.  Per gallon of ethanol produced, approximately 4 gallons of water are consumed by the process. In 2008 nearly 7 billion gallons of ethanol was produced, you do the math.  Where does the water come from? Where doesn't it come from?

3. A by-product of the ethanol surge initially was less enrollment in habitat preservation programs like the CRP and CREP, due to farmers deciding to put their land back into corn production as commodity prices skyrocketed. This eventually, in the 2007 and 2008 farm bills, led to less money allocated to these programs, and the fear amongst us that expired CRP and CREP contracts would not be renewed. 

Within the past year and change, a philosophical shift has occurred in how ethanol is viewed. The dirt under the rug has been discovered.  It has been deemed a process inefficient and unsustainable.  It can only be hoped that future undertakings of such large scale be scrutinized outside of some big whigs political agenda, and this historic abuse of power is brought into light 

While ethanol dramatically hindered the proliferation of conservation efforts nationwide in the short term, it provided a valuable lesson of scale and consequence.  It showed that when such a large piece of legislation is drafted by those who didn't care to investigate it in full, taxpayers and, in this case, wildlife pay the price. Perhaps what is so frustrating is that the CRP, CREP, WPA and WLA programs funded by the Farm Bill were progressing; the anticipated benefits observed. So we know that the Farm Bill can be used for significant and unequivocal gain, but can be blundered just as easily.

Now we can only hope that substantial investments in habitat restoration and acquisition are prevalent in this years Farm Bill, as they have largely been given the cold shoulder in the few years past.

Stay tuned,

Charlie,

Some very eye-opening stuff there. The days of kicking back and simply enjoying the outdoors as hunters are over, we now have to fight not only for that habitat of the species we hunt, but also our right to use weapons to pursue them. It's really sad that so many Americans can't see that HUNTERS have done far more for wildlife then any PETA or SHARK member has ever even dreamed of.

Definetly some good info. We all are going to have to step it up and preserve land for our own generation and future generations. Joining places like DU and Delta Waterfowl are a good start but it is a never-ending battle.

I talked to the President of Delta Waterfowl Rob Olsen and he said in about 10 years we might loses are hunting heritage over cripples. PETA and organizations are trying to nail us on cripples. Guys, shoot more trap and try to shoot less cripples!  Just some word of thought.

Justin

It's not really about the topic but I listened to Obama tonight and most hunters don't like him because he is trying to take your guns and what not but he did good tonight. Hopefully he can make some changes about the economy.

I'm very, very, very Right Winged and have been disapointed with the election. Honestly, I don't really personaly know anyone that voted for Obama. More or less it's the area in which I was raised and the heritage and traditions of pro-gun, pro-life, and anti-liberal that have influnenced me the most. I for one am really into the use of wind powered energy and hope that the energy crisis can be solved sooner rather than later.

To go along with the loosing hunting to PETA. This is very real and consequenly the PETA supporters (for the most part Democrats) have literally been chased and run out of Northwest Tennessee. Tennessee has long been thought of as the capital state of shooting, but it's much more than shooting it is the traditions and heritage of Reelfoot and the boutiful rolling crop fields that boast an abundance of game. NW Tennessee is home to two universities, one that I attend, that is packed full of Republicans, Conservatives, and Conservationist and these students have almost declared war against PETA. Honestly, this area is a hunters paradise, the entire population is pro-hunting, pro- life, pro-conservative. I hope that this area can act as an example for all conservatives or anti-liberals to unite.  Just a few of my .02.

Cory,
At the risk of exposing myself, now you do know someone who voted for Obama.

That said, I appreciate your sentiments. But to me, it is not anti-liberal or anti-conservative philosophy that accomplishes anything. I believe that resolve to the several obstacles and issues facing conservationists today will require work from everyone, political agendas set aside. Addressing wetland and habitat loss for example, is too important to become tied up in party politics, and I think several people on both sides of the isle are beginning to recognize this.It is simply common sense, which is the reason I support the work or several conservative congressmen and women who have recognized this.