It is clear that the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) current performance review and performance pay systems are part of the problem.

I've seen it, the resilience of the people of Minnesota and what you see every time you go to these things is Minnesotans helping other Minnesotans.

Let me be clear, I am not opposed to these standards, having advocated for them in the past, however I am concerned that imposing them as a qualification for exemption has the potential to lead to significant disincentives for conservation…

From a sportsman's perspective, Mr. Kovarovics, how do we reach this compromise?

I am just wondering if in the process now is not too poisoned or whatever you might say to go forward.

We are all open to new techniques. I have seen our folks work hand in hand with NRCS and we have heard great success stories.

I just had a couple questions for me and for others listening who might not know this.

We need to keep in mind, that leaves about 250 million Americans who we have to educate about this process.

we should show great concern that our producers are showing this level of concern

If a farmer builds a fence that does not comply with NRCS standards, the cloud then is that he has violated the Clean Water Act.

Now, that is very difficult for me to explain to my producers in any way possible, and you are not making that case.

The biggest mistake here was, it does not feel to me that there was enough of that input.

I just--and I am trying to get this, and you are hearing the frustration.

I do worry, and the gentleman from Ohio brought up a great point, that we have to be very careful in doing this so that we don't disincentivize people that want to do this right.

Did you anticipate there would be this type of, I guess, concern and level of concern? Did it surprise you when you heard this or were you prepared for that?

I want to thank my friend also for giving us this opportunity to discuss the issue of clean water, the impact on agriculture and conservation and our rural communities.

Conservation is this Subcommittee's bread and butter too.

We all know that this is a business where there are lots of uncertainties.