[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 48 (Friday, March 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11837-11838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5438]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of availability of program funds for the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed Initiative.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announce the availability of up 
to $44,158,381 of technical and financial assistance funding in fiscal 
year (FY) 2010 through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative for 
agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the States of 
Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West 
Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative funds are available 
to help producers implement natural resources conservation practices on 
agricultural lands.

DATES: Effective Date: The Notice of Request is effective March 12, 
2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana D. York, Director, Conservation 
Planning and Technical Assistance Division, Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Room 6015 South Building, Washington, DC 20013; Telephone: (202) 720-
1510; Fax: (202) 720-2998; or E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    CCC and NRCS hereby announce the availability of up to $44,158,381 
to provide technical and financial assistance to producers through the 
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative in FY 2010.
    Section 1240Q of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the 
Food,

[[Page 11838]]

Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, established the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed Initiative and defined the Chesapeake Bay watershed to mean 
all tributaries, backwaters, and side channels, including their 
watersheds, draining into the Chesapeake Bay. This area includes 
portions of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, and West Virginia. The NRCS administers the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed Initiative and carries out program implementation using 
funds, facilities, and authorities of the CCC. The Initiative gives 
special, but not exclusive, consideration to producers' applications in 
the following river basins: Susquehanna River, Shenandoah River, 
Potomac River (including North and South), and the Patuxent River.
    The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative helps agricultural 
producers improve water quality and quantity, and restore, enhance, and 
conserve soil, air, and related resources in the Chesapeake Bay 
watershed through the implementation of conservation practices. These 
conservation practices reduce soil erosion and nutrient levels in 
ground and surface water; improve, restore, and enhance wildlife 
habitat; and help address air quality and related natural resource 
concerns. The Initiative is carried out through the various natural 
resources conservation programs authorized under Subtitle D, Title XII 
of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended. The Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed Initiative assistance in FY 2010 will be delivered through 
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Cooperative 
Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) which consists of EQIP and 
the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). All EQIP, CCPI, and WHIP 
requirements and policies will apply.
    Individuals interested in applying for Chesapeake Bay Watershed 
Initiative assistance may contact their local USDA service center in 
the eligible Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative States. A listing of 
local service centers can be found at: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs.

    Signed this March 8, 2010, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation and Chief, Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-5438 Filed 3-11-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P