USDA, Ohio Move to Reduce Pollution Runoff

April 19, 2000

USDA and the state of Ohio are cooperating on a project designed to improve water quality through reducing pollution runoff from farm lands. The voluntary program provides incentives for farmers to remove environmentally sensitive lands from production and create stream-side buffer zones.

The agreement is under USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a federal-state program to remove environmentally sensitive lands from production. Farmers who enter into contracts with USDA receive annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities and cost-share assistance to establish conservation practices.

In addition to reducing runoff of soil sediment, nutrients and pesticides, establishing waterway buffers also helps lower water temperatures, increase dissolved oxygen and provide additional habitat for fish and wildlife.

USDA estimates that if all 67,000 acres targeted are enrolled, the financial obligation will be about $201 million.

The Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program will protect Lake Erie and 5,000 miles of Ohio watersheds.