News & Notes June 2004

PA Watershed Chosen to Receive CSP Funds

Raystown watershed has been chosen as a priority watershed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Conservation Security Program (CSP). Raystown (8 digit hydrologic code) watershed includes all of Blair County, much of Bedford and Huntingdon Counties, and portions of Fulton, Cambria, Somerset and Centre Counties*. Eighteen watersheds were chosen nationally to receive CSP funds.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program authorized by the Farm Bill to support ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural lands by providing payments to producers who maintain and enhance the condition of natural resources.

The program will be implemented this fiscal year. The US Congress capped the fiscal year 2004 CSP budget at $41.4 million. This funding allows the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to write 3,000 to 5,000 contracts. Due to that limit on funding, USDA chose to offer the program in selected, priority watersheds. The NRCS prioritized watersheds taking into account vulnerability of surface and ground water quality, potential for excessive soil quality degradation and condition of grazing land. Pennsylvania was the only state in the northeast identified as having a priority watershed.

*from PA Dept. of Environmental Protection's Watershed Notebook webpage.

Mini-Grants Help Fund Conservation District Education Projects

The Chesapeake Bay and the Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Mini-Grant Programs, administered by the PACD, provide county conservation districts' with thousands of dollars to support their local educational efforts. This year, the maximum grant allowance for eligible projects will increase from $1000 to $2500.

In addition to funds, the PACD staff frequently works with the Mini-Grant Project Leaders to lend general assistance such as securing project discounts, proof reading materials, and facilitating partnerships with other groups with similar conservation interests. While both Mini-Grant Programs address education activities that target Non-Point Source Pollution, the PA Chesapeake Bay Mini-Grant Program is restricted to activities within the Chesapeake Bay Basin.

Exhibits, farm tours, water quality studies, workshops and publications are just a few of the activities supported by the Mini-Grant Programs. For example, last year the Pike County Conservation District was awarded money to acquire a watershed model for educational purposes (see photo).

"The PACD grant allotment covered $1000 of the $1300 total cost for this project. The 3-dimensional picture that the model provides is very useful in explaining many concepts regarding watersheds, watershed management, human impacts to water resources in a watershed, etc. The model is currently at a local intermediate school where the school's science teachers are utilizing it in water resource education. So far, feedback from the teachers has been positive and plans are to have the model available and in circulation for other interested schools in Pike County in the fall," said Pike County Conservation District Education Coordinator John Jose.

Pike County Conservation District received a mini-grant to construct this watershed model for use during its education programs.

In Fulton County, the Conservation District was awarded a mini-grant to host the "Fulton County Water Resources Forum." Watershed Specialist Scott Alexander, explained, "The third Fulton County Water Resource Forum allowed our Conservation District to emphasize the county's unique placement at the headwaters of the Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers, highlight local watershed projects, illustrate water resource issues, and allow citizens to ask questions of local, regional and state water resource managers. Without PACD funding it would not be possible to host this gathering that has becoming a much anticipated annual event."

These are just two examples of mini-grant success stories. In 2003, eighty-eight projects were funded through the Mini-Grants Programs. For more information, please visit the PACD website or call Yvonne Harhigh, PACD Education Specialist at 717-238-7223.