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USDA-NRCS provides $5 million in grants


June 23, 2008  by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

USDA-NRCS provides $5 million in grants

The U.S. government recently announced
$5 million is being provided to help fund 11 projects aimed at
improving the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

June 23, 2008, Washington, DC – U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster recently announced that $5 million will be used to fund 11 innovative projects in six states to protect water quality, recycle nutrients and improve wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) in fiscal year 2008.

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“These grants will foster innovative technologies and approaches to conservation that will assist local efforts to improve the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through cooperative conservation and collective action,” Lancaster said. “This investment will result in long-term dividends in environmental enhancement and protection.”

Projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will also address emerging natural resource issues including energy conservation and market-based approaches to conservation. The 64,000 square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed covers parts of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

CIG, a component of USDA-NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program, provides competitive grants to state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals to promote the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. CIG funds pilot projects and field demonstrations that can last from one to three years. Federal funds awarded to these grants cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost.

Awards of up to $1 million can be made to organizations working directly with farmers to improve water quality and restore habitat in watersheds throughout the Chesapeake Bay basin. These projects demonstrate conservation approaches that make economic sense to farmers.

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