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. 0503.02

                   Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
                      Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474
                                                
VENEMAN ANNOUNCES $209 MILLION CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN
                    NEBRASKA
One-hundred Thousand Acres Targeted in 37 Counties

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2002 -- Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman today announced that USDA and the state of Nebraska,
as part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP), will launch a $209 million program to address water
quality and wildlife habitats in all or a portion of 37
counties in Nebraska.

     "The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
encourages farmers to help improve the nation's natural
resources," Veneman said.  "Through this Nebraska
partnership, runoff contaminates will be reduced, thereby
enhancing wildlife health and water quality for Nebraska
rivers and streams."

     The Nebraska CREP partnership targets 100,000 acres in
the central and eastern parts of the state. These funds will
help protect lakes and water sources through the
establishment of tree buffers, planting of native and other
grasses and the restoration of wetlands. Overall, the goal
in Nebraska is to reduce the amount of sediment reaching streams.

     The total cost of the program is expected to reach $209
million over 15 years.  Of that amount, $143 million will come
from the federal government and $66 million from state and
private organizations.

     CREP uses state and federal resources to help solve
environmental problems. The 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. These programs provide
for voluntary agreements with farmers to convert cropland to
native grasses, trees and other vegetation in return for
rental payments and other incentives.

     The Bush Administration is committed to providing the
tools and resources for environmental stewardship and
conservation of working lands to ensure that the land remains
both healthy and productive.  The 2002 Farm Bill, signed in
May by President Bush, represents and unprecedented investment
in conservation on America's private lands.

     Interested farmers and ranchers may 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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