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. 0022.01
                                                  
                       Eric Parsons (202) 720-7809
                     eric.parsons@wdc.fsa.usda.gov


GLICKMAN  ANNOUNCES $24 MILLION CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION
PROGRAM                            

     WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2001-- Agriculture Secretary Dan
Glickman today announced a $24 million partnership with the
State of California to enhance water quality and improve
wildlife habitat, under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program (CREP).  

     "This partnership will help protect California's
precious land, wildlife, and water quality while helping many
family farmers," said Glickman.

     CREP uses federal and state resources to help meet
agriculture-related environmental challenges. The California 
CREP will fund voluntary agreements with farmers to convert
cropland to native grasses, trees, and other vegetation. 
Specifically, this project aims to retire 12,000 acres of
highly erodible and environmentally sensitive cropland and
create wetlands and protect riparian areas in the North
Central Valley.  Most of the land likely to be enrolled is
marginal agricultural land. 

     "This new program rewards farmers in the Central Valley
who are practicing good environmental stewardship and will
help secure the future vitality of the Central Valley's 
farming and wildlife resources," Governor Gray Davis of
California said.  

  Retiring environmentally sensitive cropland and
planting it with wildlife-friendly vegetation will reduce
erosion and the amount of pollutants entering surface and
ground water supplies.   In addition, it will improve air
quality and enhance the viability of agriculture through
improved soil and water quality.   Tree buffers and filter
strips planted on the banks of streams and rivers filter
runoff water and reduce the risk of pathogens entering public
water supplies. They also provide vital habitat for wildlife
and improve fish habitat. 

  USDA will pay up to 75 percent of the estimated $24
million program costs. The State of California will pay the
rest. Many private organizations will provide further
assistance.  In addition to program costs, USDA also will
provide annual rental payments, and cost-share assistance for
land enrolled in the project.  California will purchase
conservation easements, provide cost-share assistance, and
provide technical support.  

  Deputy Agriculture Secretary Richard Rominger, a farmer
from Winters, California., signed the agreement on behalf of
USDA.  

Mary Nichols, Secretary, California Resources Agency and Bill
Lyons, Secretary, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture,
signed the agreement on behalf of Governor Davis. 

  Interested farmers can learn about the program by
contacting their local Farm Service Agency offices or
visiting http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crep.htm .  

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