Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 would change how the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program operate under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. The bill broadens the types of emergency measures eligible for funding beyond fencing, introduces upfront (advance) payments for certain replacements and repairs, and extends timeframes for submitting or utilizing funds. It also expands the definition of eligible wildfires (to include non-natural fires caused by natural spread and fires caused by the Federal Government) and adds an advance-payment option for nonindustrial private forest land under the forest restoration program, with a requirement to repay unspent funds after 180 days. Overall, the bill aims to speed up access to funds, broaden eligibility, and provide more flexible financing for emergency conservation and restoration efforts. In practical terms, the bill would make it easier for producers and private forest landowners to obtain immediate funding to protect or restore farmland and conservation structures after disasters, while also allowing them to receive a larger upfront share of costs for replacements and a sizable upfront portion for certain emergency measures in forests. It also broadens what counts as a qualifying wildfire and extends the period within which funds must be used or repaid, potentially affecting government costs and administrative oversight.
Key Points
- 1Expands ECP eligibility beyond fencing to include other emergency measures that replace or restore farmland or conservation structures requiring an immediate response, with upfront payments for replacements (75%) and repairs/restoration (50%) before work begins.
- 2Extends the processing/response window from 60 days to 180 days for certain ECP actions, broadening the allowable timeframe to act on emergencies.
- 3Broadens wildfire eligibility to include not naturally caused fires if spreading due to natural causes and fires caused by the Federal Government.
- 4Improves the Emergency Forest Restoration Program by adding an advance-payment option for nonindustrial private forest land up to 75% of the cost before emergency measures are carried out, with a requirement to return unspent funds within 180 days.
- 5Adds wildfire-related clarifications and expands eligibility criteria to cover additional emergency conservation and restoration activities for both farmland and private forest land.