With the upcoming publication of the Notice of Funding Availability in the Federal Register, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. This new initiative strengthens coordination and cooperation between the two federal entities to help agricultural producers improve the environment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) authorizes the initiative and provides $23 million in 2009. Congressionally authorized future funding levels are: $43 million in 2010; $72 million in 2011; and $50 million in 2012. The initiative will be delivered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and all EQIP requirements and policies will apply. An interim final regulation implementing the 2008 Farm Bill EQIP provisions will also be published in the Federal Register.
"The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative is an important new source of technical and financial assistance for agricultural producers who voluntarily go the extra mile to improve and protect the bay," Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said.
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to nearly 17 million residents and covers more than 64,000 sq miles. It is the largest estuary in the U.S. and is critical to the region's economy, culture and outdoors recreation. Twenty-five percent of lands within the watershed are used by agriculture for crops and pasture.
"This funding will help the agricultural community turn the tide on a cleaner, healthier bay," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Working together, the federal government and our partners can solve the challenges of the Chesapeake Bay."
Among these challenges are changing landscapes, toxic chemical contaminants, air pollution, sediment and excess nutrients—primarily nitrogen and phosphorous.
Initiative funding is available to eligible agricultural producers within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to assist with voluntary implementation of beneficial conservation practices. Portions of six states--Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New York--lie within the watershed. Interested producers in these states should contact their local USDA service center to determine eligibility and apply for funding.
Eligible landowners can use available technical and financial assistance to address soil erosion, sedimentation and excess nutrients in streams and waterways, as well as other related natural resource concerns such as air quality, wetlands, wildlife habitat and forestry.
Source: USDA
