Project Funded Through New USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

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Washington, DC – This week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced millions in Federal funding as part of the new USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

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Included is $5.5 million for “Accelerating Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans.”  This project helps the region to meet the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) by accelerating targeted, cost-effective conservation in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

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In Virginia, high-resolution imagery provided by Chesapeake Conservancy will help prioritize locations for riparian buffers as part of the Chesapeake Bay Riparian Forest Buffer Initiative.

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“In these tight financial times, it’s imperative that conservation dollars are spent with precision. By using technology, such as high-resolution imagery, Chesapeake Conservancy is able to practice precision conservation,” said Chesapeake Conservancy Executive Director Joel Dunn.  “‘Big data’ changed the corporate world, and it can change the environment too.  To that end, we help put the power of data in the conservation movement.”

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The Chesapeake Bay is one of eight Critical Conservation Areas designated by the Secretary and will receive a total of approximately $19 million under this provision of the RCPP.  A complete list of the RCCP projects is available here.

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Feature Photo by S. Davis