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RE: Section 1619 of the 2008 Farm Bill
As a/an [Occupation], I am writing you to tell you about my concern in regard to Section 1619, Information Gathering, of the recently passed 2008 Farm Bill. As of the signing of the 2008 Farm Bill, section 1619 has prohibited the access to CLU (Common Land Unit) data for the public. Prior to this, access to CLU data has been available on the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) data gateway since 2004 to anyone requesting such information.
This seems to have started over a year ago when Multi Ag Media, LLC sued the Department of Agriculture, requesting the release of USDA compliance data. On February 15, 2008 the U.S. Court of Appeals, DC ruled in favor of Multi Ag Media, overturning a district court ruling under the Federal Freedom of Information Act and ordered the release of USDA compliance data.
I recommend and support an amendment to Section 1619 of the 2008 Farm Bill that allows the CLU data to be placed back into the public domain with the following attributes: Field Boundary, Acres, Tract Number, Farm Number, Field Number, Primary Classification of Land Unit Type, Administrating County and State Office.
I utilize CLU data on a regular basis in my profession. It saves me time, improves accuracy, and enhances my communication with other agricultural professionals, farmers, and landowners. Not being able to retrieve this information as I need would be a great detriment to me and my profession. Losing the ability to obtain this information on a regular basis would be a step backward in this day of modern agriculture.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Occupation]
[Business Name]
