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Massachusetts
An occasional update on conservation activities in the Bay State
January 2006
In this Connection:
Save Energy, Save Money
by Cecil B. Currin
 Secretary Mike Johanns announced last month that the Natural Resources
Conservation Service is launching an energy campaign called “Save ENERGY Save
MONEY.” The campaign focuses on conservation practices that contribute to energy
efficiency and fuel savings. The “Save ENERGY Save MONEY” web site provides information to help farmers
cut input costs, maintain production, protect soil and water resources, reduce
the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, and save money by using cost-efficient
soil and water conservation practices.
Read more...
 top
 NRCS
is offering a pilot cost-share program for Massachusetts greenhouse operations
in targeted watersheds to help demonstrate the environmental and economic
benefits of water quality and water conservation practices in this industry. Greenhouse operations in the Ipswich River and Parker River watersheds
(sections of Essex and Middlesex counties) are eligible to participate in this
pilot program. The selected watersheds are designated as highly stressed river
basins.
Read more...
top
 In a unique pilot program under the
Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP), Cape Cod's shellfish growers were eligible
for cost-share assistance on conservation practices for the first
time in 2005. Some $247,000 in cost-share funding was provided
through 21 contracts with aquaculturists who raise scallops,
oysters and clams on grants in Barnstable Harbor and Wellfleet
Harbor.
Read more...
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The Taunton River, perhaps the most
diverse and intact coastal riverene ecosystem in all of southern New England,
has been selected by NRCS as
Massachusetts' watershed for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) in 2006. Farmers who have land in the selected watershed and who practice good soil and
water conservation may be eligible for CSP payments.
Read more...
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NRCS has announced the release of up to $20 million dollars for
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). This nationwide competition promotes the
development and adoption of innovative conservation technologies and approaches. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award
competitive grants to non-federal governmental or non-governmental
organizations, tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other
public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of
promising technologies and approaches to address some of the nation's most
pressing natural resource concerns. Proposals are due March 20, 2006.
Read more...
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The Patriot Resource Conservation and
Development Area Council has been awarded a $269,000 grant through the state
Department of Environmental Protection with funding from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for a research project designed to improve erosion and
sedimentation control, as well as storm water management, at construction sites.
With matching funds of $213,000, the project budget will total $482,000.
Read more...
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 Last fall, the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) partnered with the town of Hatfield,
Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Riverways Program and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to repair a road over the Mill River that washed out in
a storm several years before, replace an old culvert with a larger one
and protect habitat for the endangered dwarf wedge mussel. NRCS provided nearly $37,000 in cost-share assistance through the
Wildlife
Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
Read more...
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This fall, NRCS approved up to $200,000 in federal funds to be available for stabilization
of the Whittenton Pond Dam in Taunton, Mass. The funds were provided to the
City of Taunton through the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP). The agency also provided technical assistance for the work.
Read more...
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 With
the record rainfall in October 2005, five dams and a floodwall
built decades ago by the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in the Upper
Quaboag River Watershed of central Massachusetts prevented an estimated $3
million in flood damages during the storms, according to the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly the SCS.
Read more...
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 More than 300 Bay State high school students from some 45 public and private
schools and youth organizations across the commonwealth are expected to compete
in the 19th annual Massachusetts
Envirothon on Thursday, May 11th at River Bend Farm, part of the Blackstone
River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge.
Read more...
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A revised manual describing how to comply with EPA requirements
to protect agricultural workers from pesticides is available. The new resource,
called the "Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides - How to
Comply Manual" has been significantly updated to reflect amendments to the
Worker Protection Standard, a regulation designed to protect agricultural
workers and pesticide handlers.
Read more...
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March 2 and 3, 2006 - Northeast Sustainable
Livestock Conference, Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT. This is a
collaborative effort between NOFA-VT and UVM Extension with sponsorship
monies from NESARE, VHCB's Vermont Farm Viability Program, and Risk
Management Agency. This two-day conference will include topics on energy,
soils, crops, finances, grazing, animal health, and marketing. For more
information or to receive a brochure, contact: Lisa McCrory, NOFA-VT,
802-434-4122 or Heather Darby, UVM Extension, 802-524-6501.
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May 11 - Massachusetts Envirothon to be held
at the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge. Visit
www.maenvirothon.org for more
information.
top
To receive the Massachusetts Conservation Connection by e-mail, to be removed
from the list, or to submit news items, please send an e-mail message to
Diane.Petit@ma.usda.gov.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership
in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our
natural resources and environment.
NRCS Massachusetts State Office: 451 West Street, Amherst, MA
01002 | 413-253-4350 | fax 413-253-4395 |
www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov
Cecil Currin, State Conservationist
Jeffrey Anliker, Assistant State Conservationist
Massachusetts Conservation Connection editor:
Diane Baedeker Petit, Public
Affairs Specialist
NRCS field offices are located at USDA Service Centers in
Barnstable, Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Pittsfield, Westford and West Wareham.
Visit www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov for
addresses and phone numbers.
An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
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