WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) – a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee – applauded an announcement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that outlined the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) created by the 2014 Farm bill. The new program classified both the Great Lakes and Ohio River as priority watersheds, eligible for new federal funding to help improve the water quality and natural resources in surrounding areas.

“USDA’s efforts to boost conservation efforts means added resources to help clean-up Western Lake Erie and portions of the Ohio River,” Brown said. “By linking conservation programs that improve water quality, reduce run-off, and increase wildlife habitats, local stakeholders now have the tools necessary to improve and implement crucial conservations efforts. This program illustrates that conservation can benefit agriculture while creating jobs and improving eco-tourism in Ohio.”

The RCPP builds upon ongoing efforts by USDA to establish public-private partnerships to support proposed initiatives. USDA, alongside private partners, will invest $1.2 billion in federal funding over the program’s five-year lifespan on projects focused on the improvement of soil health, water quality and usage, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources related items. Grantees will be able to leverage an additional $1.2 billion from private partners also investing in conservation practices, bringing the total amount of funding to $2.4 billion. USDA will make $400 million available within the first year.

As part of the 2014 Farm Bill, Brown fought to strengthen RCPP as a means to help improve water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Of the total $2.4 billion in funding, 35 percent of total program funding will now be directed to improvements in the Great Lakes region and Mississippi River Basin, both crucial watersheds in Ohio.

Pre-proposals are due by July 14, 2014 with full-proposals due to USDA by September 26, 2014. Organizations in need of additional information are encouraged to visit the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service website or by contacting their local USDA service center.

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