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. 0368.03
                                                
                               Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
                             Stevin Westcott  (202) 720-4178

    VENEMAN ANNOUNCES CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
TO PROTECT 30 MILLION WATERSHED ACRES IN NEW YORK

     Troy, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2003 -- Agriculture Secretary Ann
M. Veneman today announced a $62 million Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement with the State
of New York to improve water conditions on 30 million acres
within New York's 12 major watersheds.  These watersheds
serve 55 percent of the state's population.

     "The Bush Administration is committed to fostering
federal and state partnerships to help protect our Nation's
natural resources," said Veneman.  "Since New York's major
watersheds traverse through multiple states, this
conservation initiative will eventually improve the natural
resources in other areas of the country, including the
Chesapeake Bay."

     Veneman, New York State Agriculture Commissioner
Nathan Rudgers and New York State Commissioner of
Environmental Conservation made the announcement during a
tour of Herrington Farms in Troy, New York.   The officials
said that through CREP, buffers planted along stream banks
and rivers will filter an estimated 72,000 pounds of
phosphorus, 38,000 pounds of nitrogen and 105,000 tons of
sediment per year.  In addition to enhancing water quality,
the new vegetation will also provide shelter, nesting areas
and food for many species of wildlife.

     CREP is a voluntary program that pays participants to
plant 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 meet
specific state and national environmental objectives.  CREP
partnerships with states, tribal governments and private
groups provide a coordinated approach to addressing critical
agricultural resource issues.

     Sign-up for the New York CREP begins December 1, 2003
and will be continuous through Dec. 31, 2007.  Land enrolled
in the program will remain under contract for a period of 10
to 15 years, as specified in the contract.  During this
period, USDA will contribute an estimated $52 million into
the program and New York State will fund an additional $10
million.

     Over the course of the contracts, CREP participants
will receive from USDA annual rental payments for the life
of the contract for removing environmentally sensitive land
from crop production.  Areas targeted for CREP include
cropland and marginal pastureland adjacent to streams and
wellhead areas that provide drinking water to rural
municipalities.

     Participants will replace row crops with native
grasses, hardwood trees and other conservation practices
that prevent erosion and reduce runoff containing nutrients
and pathogens.  Riparian buffers containing trees and shrubs
may also be planted on those acres.  In addition, USDA will
reimburse participants for establishing these practices and
provide extra incentive payments for installing certain
conservation measures.

     New York State will provide cost-share assistance for
practice installation, as well as technical, educational and
engineering support.  New York State will also offer an
annual tax credit for producers who enroll in CREP.

     USDA and New York State set a goal to enroll 40,000
acres into CREP over the next four years.  This acreage will
protect nearly 4,600 stream miles and 473,000 surface water
acres.  The enrolled acreage is expected to provide benefits
for 30 million watershed acres.

     Producers can obtain more information on CREP from
their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and on FSA's
Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov. 

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