SCS/HB 904 - This act expands the Missouri Economic Diversification and Afforestation Act of 1990 to include more recent agroforestry practices. This act would make the development of an agroforestry program by the Department of Conservation discretionary rather than mandatory. The University of Missouri Center for Agroforesty is added to the list of collaborative agencies. The Director of the Department of Conservation may enter agreements with individual landowners to make incentive payments during the enhancement phase. The ability of the Director to enter agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture in administering payments is removed. The amount of the incentive payment is modified to an amount which would be equal to the amount which would have been paid under the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

The number of trees to satisfy eligibility requirements must be of an amount to guarantee the success of the agroforestry practice. During the inspection for eligibility determination, the inspector must now note the number of trees planted and other crop components.

The responsibility to establish and maintain demonstration sites is shifted from the Department of Conservation to the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry and Extension Service.

Payment for planting of trees on eligible land may not exceed 75 percent of the cost of establishment.
CINDY KADLEC