WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback today introduced the Domestic Carbon Conservation Incentive Act, legislation that would combat global warming by encouraging farm conservation practices.

"This legislation will provide a conservation payment for farmers who voluntarily increase their soil carbon conservation efforts," Brownback said. "Research continuing at Kansas State University and through the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy indicates a strong potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions if we aggressively ramp up conservation measures.

"I hope we will take advantage of this opportunity to support farmers, conserve carbon, improve water quality and create more fertile soils. We must change the way we view environmental challenges and look for the opportunities such challenges can provide.

"While the Bush Administration has voiced concerns about the Kyoto Treaty and regulating carbon dioxide domestically - they have agreed that the climate change issue is serious and merits action. I hope carbon sequestration can be a unifying policy we can all support," Brownback said.

This bill would provide a national criteria and financial incentives for carbon sequestration (storage) practices in the U.S. Under this program, contracts would be for a minimum of 10 years and USDA would be required - in conjunction with other agencies - to finalize criteria for measuring the carbon-storing ability of various conservation practices. The legislation allows landowners to submit plans detailing practices they would be willing to undertake to store carbon on their land. Landowners already employing carbon-conservation practices would also be eligible.

On Tuesday, Brownback introduced his International Carbon Conservation Act, which would provide financial incentives for companies who invest in carbon sequestration projects abroad.