Local RC&D Council in Northeast PA Receives Grant Agricultural Best Management Practices

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 20, 2009 – NATIONAL FISH and WILDLIFE FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT
“Linking Agricultural Best Management Practices & Livestock for Watershed Health”

ATTENTION:  Farmers, landowners, livestock and horse owners - you may be eligible for funding through a grant received by the Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council.  This grant was awarded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to reduce non-point source pollution from entering local waterways and degrading water quality in Fishing Creek, Chillisquaque/Limestone, Briar Creek, Roaring Creek, and Catawissa Creek Watersheds.  Implementation of AG BMP’s (Best Management Practices) such as installing riparian buffers, enhancing or restoring wetlands, fencing livestock out of environmentally sensitive areas, establishing stabilized livestock laneways, installing watering systems, and improving pasture systems to reduce the amount of soil and nutrients that enter local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay as non-point source pollution.

The goal is to implement a minimum of 10 sets of AG BMP’s on 10 landowners’ properties that will have a positive influence on reducing the amount of non-point source pollution entering local waterways and degrading their water quality.  Streambank restoration, such as gravel bar removal or rip/rap bank protection is NOT eligible BMP’s.   Priority will be give to livestock and horse owners.  

Landowners will be required to submit an application to participate.  Applications will be available the beginning of December 2009, and will be accepted until January 2010.  The applications will be scored and ranked based on greatest resource concern and environmental benefit.  Each project will need a Conservation/Resource Management Plan which will identify the BMP’s needed to implement the project and address long-term management.

The Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council is a community resource providing expertise in resource management and development throughout a ten county area of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  - Visit us at
http://www.pnercd.org
http://www.pnesolutions.org

The Council is a grassroots community organization that is committed to the preservation and protection of natural resources within a framework of economic growth.  The Council is directed by a group of dedicated volunteers. Council members represent numerous interests and disciplines, including agriculture, forestry, environment, education, wildlife management, mine reclamation, recreation and economic development.

For more information on the BMP Program, contact the Columbia County Conservation District at 570-784-1310 ext. 124/114 or the Montour Conservation District at 570-271-1140.