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Release No. 0316.00 USDA Contact: Jillene
Johnson (202) 720-9733 USDA AND MISSOURI JOIN TO IMPROVE DRINKING WATER FOR STATE RESIDENTS SMITHVILLE, MO, Sept.15, 2000--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Governor Mel Carnahan today announced an $85 million federal state partnership to protect Missouri’s drinking water and environment, under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The program will reduce pollution of streams and reservoirs that supply water to more than 375,000 Missouri residents. "This federal-state partnership will help guarantee safe drinking water for Missourians and provide additional habitat for wildlife," said Glickman. "Our efforts show that farming, enhancing water quality, and strengthening environmental protection can go hand in hand." CREP uses federal and state resources to help meet agriculture-related environmental challenges. The Missouri CREP provides an opportunity for voluntary agreements with farmers to convert cropland to native grasses, trees, and other vegetation in return for rental payments and other incentives. "Finding the right balance between the needs of agriculture and the safety of our water supply and environment is important in Missouri, where farming is vital to our economy," said Carnahan. "This new program will help meet all those needs." The Missouri project aims to retire 50,000 acres of highly erodible and environmentally sensitive cropland along streams that supply 83 reservoirs. The reservoirs, in turn, supply 58 public water sources for residents in 36 counties. The project area encompasses more than 489,000 acres, of which more than 155,000 acres are cropland. Of the 155,000 acres in the drinking water reservoir watersheds, up to 50,000 acres could be enrolled in CREP. Most of the targeted drinking water reservoirs are located near agricultural land. Retiring highly erodible cropland and planting it with protective vegetation will reduce erosion and the amount of pollutants entering public water supplies. Forest 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 habitat for wildlife and improve fish habitat. Additionally, these voluntary conservation efforts may help communities avoid construction of costly filtration systems. USDA will pay up to 75 percent of overall program costs, and Missouri will pay the rest. USDA will also pay a $140 per acre signing incentive for land enrolled in the project in addition to rental and additional incentive payments to farmers for a 15-year agreement period. USDA and Missouri also will provide technical, educational, and engineering support. "The responsible use of pesticides helps Missouri farmers feed the world," said Carnahan. "We are fortunate in Missouri to have farmers who care about our precious natural resources and work hard to protect and preserve them for future generations." Interested farmers can learn about the program by contacting their local Farm Service Agency offices or visiting website: http://www.fsa.usda.gov Additional information can also be found at website: http://www.gov.state.mo.us
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