New Conservation Initiative Benefits Farmers and the Chesapeake Bay Sign-Up Now Underway

SYRACUSE, New York, April 13, 2009 - New York agricultural producers located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed have until May 1 to apply for special assistance to reduce excess nutrients and sediment under the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI), announced Astor F. Boozer, New York State Conservationist for USDA NRCS. The Susquehanna Watershed comprises the New York portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI) was authorized in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) to provide assistance to producers to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay, and is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The program offers financial and technical assistance to producers to install practices to help control erosion and nutrient loading before they reach the Bay. CBWI offers assistance to eligible participants to implement a system of conservation practices on eligible cropland and grazing land. Among the eligible practices are several “core practices” that are especially effective at reducing erosion and nutrient loss. These practices include no-till systems, cover crops, riparian buffers, nutrient management, and rotational grazing systems.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to nearly 17 million residents and covers more than 64,000 square miles. It is the largest estuary in the United States and is critical to the region’s economy, culture, and outdoor recreation. In addition to New York, portions of five other states lie within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. See the attached map for the areas in New York that are eligible to sign up for assistance under this new initiative. Certain sub-watersheds are designated as high priority for funding because of their potential for high yields of nitrogen and sediment, and thus have a greater impact on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

Applicants from throughout the Susquehanna Watershed have until May 1 to sign-up for the new CBWI in order to be considered for 2009 funding in New York. Applications from the designated high priority sub-watersheds will receive additional points in the ranking system due to their higher potential for environmental benefit. For sign-up details or additional conservation program information contact your local local USDA NRCS office or visit the. The application and information about the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative for fiscal year 2009 can be found on the New York NRCS Web site at the NRCS New York - Programs Web page.
 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.