Pennsylvania agricultural producers located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed can now apply for special assistance under the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, was announced this week by Craig Derickson, Pennsylvania State Conservationist.

 

Recently authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, this new initiative offers technical and financial assistance to producers to install agricultural practices to help control erosion, and to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

 

Derickson explained that, even though some of the new program provisions are still being finalized, NRCS and local Conservation Districts are urging farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to come in and apply as soon as possible. "By accepting producer applications now, we can assess their current conservation plans and be well positioned to provide contracts to producers as soon as final details are worked out," said Derickson.

 

The CBWI offers assistance to eligible participants to implement a system of core conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. The core practices include crop residue management (especially no-till and mulch till systems), crop nutrient management, manure management, cover crops, buffers, riparian forest buffers, and streamside fencing to keep livestock out of the streams and protect fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, a limited number of other conservation practices are available to address specific resource problems.

 

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Wolff, offered his support for the new funding to help producers with their on-farm needs. "Through this initiative, producers will receive assistance to implement a system of basic land treatment practices that can help them better manage farm inputs, increase their profits, and provide the environmental improvements that are needed to protect water quality; both in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay," said Wolff.

 

Applications for the new CBWI will be accepted continuously throughout the year to be evaluated, ranked, and prioritized based on their potential to control erosion and reduce sediment and nutrient levels in local waters and the Chesapeake Bay. Applications will be collected and evaluated on a monthly basis, beginning with applications received by March 1.

 

Some watersheds in Pennsylvania will be designated as high priority watersheds in this initiative because they have high yields of nitrogen and phosphorus, intense agricultural operations, and local water quality impairments due to excess nutrients or dissolved oxygen.

 

Applications from the designated priority watersheds will receive additional points in the ranking system due to their higher potential for environmental benefit in reducing sediment and nutrient loads before they reach the Bay. Qualified applications will be approved for funding as long as funds are available. Applications that cannot be funded can be retained for up to two years, after which time the producer will need to re-file a new application.

 

The first step for producers should be to contact their local NRCS or Conservation District office to request assistance. Information on the location of USDA Service Centers is available online.

 

The application and information about the new Chesapeake Bay initiative for fiscal year 2009 and a map of priority watersheds are available on the Pennsylvania NRCS website.