NRCS Provides Nearly $1 Million to Expand Conservation in the Monterey Bay Region

Applications are due to NRCS Offices by April 16 for consideration

DAVIS, Calif., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California will provide $925,000 in technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to protect the Monterey Bay Region.  The Monterey Bay Conservation Program is being made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to improve water quality and quantity in this important region. The application deadline is April 16, 2012.

"I am thrilled that NRCS is making this additional funding available to help our local farmers and ranchers take the necessary steps to address water quality and use, forestry and other agricultural concerns this year," said U.S. Representative Sam Farr (D-17). "This is a win for both our innovative agriculture and our spectacular environment we enjoy on the Central Coast because it will reduce nutrients, pathogens and sediment loads entering Monterey Bay."

This program was created as a result of the Obama Administration announcing, in fiscal year 2011, that the Monterey Bay region was selected as one of the three special America's Great Outdoors initiative areas. NRCS worked directly with local partners, over the following months, to determine how best to invest additional technical and financial resources in this region.

NRCS staff will work with farmers and ranchers to develop conservation plans to address excessive runoff, flooding, wind erosion, water quality and a handful of other issues on farms, ranches and private non-industrial forestland. Those that implement the highest levels of conservation can qualify for financial assistance.

"NRCS is committed to protecting the Monterey Bay region and this expanded assistance allows us to work in partnership with local agricultural producers to help them be good stewards of the land, and protect wildlife and natural resources," added NRCS California State Conservationist Ed Burton.

Eligible counties include: Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and San Luis Obispo. Interested farmers and ranchers should visit http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ or contact their local NRCS office for additional information and to submit an application.

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service