Regulation
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in the Federal Register of January 16, 2009, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). On March 12, 2009, NRCS corrected language in the interim final rule regarding the erroneous application of the payment limitation to joint operations, and extended the comment period to April 17, 2009. This document amends the interim final rule by expanding the definition of agricultural lands to include areas of a farm or ranch that are not currently under production. NRCS is also using the opportunity presented by this rulemaking to reopen the comment period. Comments are limited to the content of this amendment.