NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News@usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-9035
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov

                                       Release No. 0292.03

                             Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
                            Jillene Johnson (202) 720-9733

           VENEMAN ANNOUNCES THE EXPANSION OF
           PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVATION PROGRAM
       150 Percent of Chesapeake Bay Stream-Mile
           Goal Met Through CREP Partnerships

      WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2003   Agriculture Secretary
Ann M. Veneman today announced a $200 million expansion of
the Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP), that will add 100,000 acres and 23 counties to the
existing program.  This federal/state partnership improves
the water quality of Pennsylvania's rivers and streams
that feed into the Chesapeake Bay.

      "With over 71,000 acres planted to conservation
practices, the Pennsylvania CREP is an effective private
lands conservation program in the state," said Veneman. 
"Expanding the program to include additional counties will
reduce runoff contaminants and provide healthier wildlife
and cleaner water."

      The Pennsylvania CREP, first announced in April
2000, was originally funded at $210 million and included
20 counties in the lower Susquehanna and Potomac River
basins.  The additional $200 million brings the total
funding to $410 million.  Of the $200 million, USDA is
expected to pay up to $129 million of the cost of
enrolling the additional 100,000 acres in the program. 
Pennsylvania's share is $71 million.

      The Pennsylvania CREP has prevented 1.1 million tons
of sediment and reduced over 1 million pounds of nitrogen
and phosphorous from entering the Chesapeake Bay.  In
addition to filtering sediment and nutrients from runoff
water, vegetation planted through the program improves
water quality and provides shelter, nesting areas and food
for various wildlife species, such as grassland birds and
small game.

*Chesapeake Bay Goal Far Exceeded Through CREP
Partnerships*

      The states of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware also
have CREP agreements with USDA to help restore and
preserve the Chesapeake Bay.

      "Every state in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed is
utilizing this program to reduce the nutrient loading in
the Bay," said Veneman.  "Through CREP, landowners have
installed trees and buffers around 3,000 stream miles. 
The states have achieved 150 percent of the Chesapeake Bay
goal for stream miles, and are seven years ahead of
schedule."

      CREP is a voluntary program that pays participants
to plant hardwood trees or establish grass filter strips,
riparian forest buffers, vegetation and other conservation
practices on environmentally sensitive land.  In return,
participants receive annual rental payments, cost-share
assistance and other financial incentives.

      CREP combines an existing USDA program, the
Conservation Reserve Program, with state programs to
provide a framework for partnerships to meet specific
state and national environmental objectives.

      Eligible producers can sign up starting Sept. 2,
2003, at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. 
Interested farmers and ranchers should contact their local
FSA offices for further information on eligibility
requirements and application procedures.  Additional
information is also available online at
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crep.htm

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