12/16/24 - 110 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3ubmzu7a
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USDA Highlights Impact Of Federal Stimulus Funding On Watershed Restoration
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In Pennsylvania, U.S.D.A.'s Natural Resources Conservation Service received funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to protect and maintain water supplies, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, restore wetlands and floodplains, and reduce flood damages.
In Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Tulpehocken Creek and Neshaminy Creek watersheds together received over $11 million. Local partners, including NRCS, are working with farmers in the Tulpehocken watershed to not only improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat, but also to maintain agricultural productivity in that area.
The partners are now working with eleven farmers to complete projects ranging from building manure storage facilities and installing stream bank fencing to practicing no-till farming and using cover crops. It is anticipated that they will be able to work with 20 additional landowners as well.
Although it usually takes 3-5 years to finish a single contract, four contracts have already been done. These projects will benefit about 36,000 residents.
In the Neshaminy Creek watershed, local and federal government agencies are working together to raise and protect about 80 homes from flooding. Almost ten houses are being raised. Once finished, this project will improve the health and safety of nearly 450 residents by greatly reducing the potential for flood damages.
In the coming months, USDA will be implementing additional programs and projects as spring approaches, and construction projects are expected to begin across the country.
For more information, visit the NRCS-Pennsylvania webpage. |
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2/19/2010 |
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