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USDA Awards $38.7 Million In California
Conservation Contracts; $4.1 Million For Erosion And Water Quality Needs In San Diego
Contracts come earlier, but expired programs mean less money for state
Contacts:
Anita Brown, (530) 792-5644
Alan Forkey, (530) 792-5653
DAVIS, Calif., March 19, 2008—Lincoln E. Burton, State Conservationist for USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California today announced that statewide distribution
of conservation cost share contracts has been completed for fiscal year 2008. According to Burton, 1,078 farmers
and ranchers are receiving contracts totaling nearly $39 million under the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP).
"Agricultural producers work hard to find the best ways to be economically and environmentally sustainable,"
says Burton. "EQIP helps us combine the vital work of conservation planning for the landscape with an economic
assistance tool to implement needed improvements on a scheduled timetable." Some of the most popular conservation
improvements funded this year include the following:
- Air quality improvements (e.g., cleaner engines and dust control on farm roads)
- Nutrient planning and management on dairies
- Water efficiency measures (e.g., micro-irrigation systems and lined ditches)
- Water quality management (e.g., integrated pest management, riparian stabilization, and an increased use of
hedgerows)
- Rangeland conservation (e.g., fencing to enhance livestock management)
- Erosion control measures (e.g., increased conservation tillage and residue management)
In addition, an accelerated conservation effort helped producers in San Diego and other southern California
counties with much needed conservation assistance following last fall’s wildfires. NRCS assisted producers with
$4 million in erosion control for scorched hillsides as well as water conservation, water quality and wildlife
habitat measures. "Everyone in NRCS, local Resource Conservation Districts and partners such as USDA’s Farm
Service Agency pulled together to support an accelerated conservation program in San Diego," says Burton.
"All the people and resources of those watersheds are sharing the benefits of this environmental stewardship,"
he added.
Funding overall in California decreased 19% due to the expiration of key programs in the 2002 Farm Bill that
had funded the Klamath Basin and other ground and surface water projects. Consequently, EQIP funding was lower in
almost every county in the state. Another 2002 Farm Bill program, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
also expired; it was funded at $267,000, or enough to accommodate 13 new contracts.
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