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Release No. 0114.04

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623

Sylvia Rainford (202) 720-2536

DELMARVA PENINSULA TO RECEIVE \$5 MILLION FOR

NATURAL RESOURCE IMPROVEMENTS

*Health of Chesapeake Bay Focus of Bush Administration*

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2004---Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today
announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has targeted \$5.0
million to Maryland, Delaware and Virginia to help improve natural
resources in the Delmarva Peninsula.

"The health of the Chesapeake Bay is an important issue for the Bush
Administration," Veneman said. "This funding will help to protect
farmland and wildlife habitat, restore freshwater and tidal wetlands, as
well as support the economic viability of agriculture in this region."

Programs to protect the Chesapeake Bay involve both Federal and State
efforts. The 2002 Farm Bill authorizes USDA to direct funds toward the
ecologically and economically important agricultural lands. Maryland
Governor Robert Ehrlich and U.S Congressman Wayne Gilchrest have helped
to target conservation funds toward this region.

The Delmarva Peninsula drains into the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's
largest and most productive estuary. The Delmarva contains about 1.7
million acres of farmland that includes all of Delaware, Maryland's
Eastern Shore, and two counties in Virginia. The high concentration of
livestock, sandy soils, flat topography, intense agriculture, and
development pressures significantly impacts the use of natural
resources, environmental quality, and the overall economic viability of
the region.

"Improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay is the top environmental
priority. This additional funding for Delmarva will provide much needed
conservation resources to Maryland's agricultural community," said
Governor Ehrlich. "The additional resources being provided by USDA
support our efforts to improve conservation while also ensuring that
farms remain economically viable."

USDA will use the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP),
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Wetlands Reserve Program
(WRP) to provide additional financial and technical assistance to
landowners in the Delmarva. Maryland will receive nearly \$2.9 million
in additional funding in these three programs for nine Eastern Shore
counties; Delaware, \$1.7 million for three counties, and Virginia,
\$435,200 for two counties.

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"The rich rural heritage, forests, fish and wildlife of the Delmarva
Peninsula are dependent upon sustainable agriculture," said Congressman
Gilchrest. "This is a significant step toward supporting on-the-ground
projects that will benefit our producers, Chesapeake Bay and coastal
water quality and the protection of these lands."

Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia are working to eliminate invasive
species, which are displacing many native varieties of wetlands plants.
These states have documented losses of valuable wildlife habitat as well
as declines in species such as the bobwhite quail in the Delmarva, once
a haven for wildlife. Landowners can use WHIP to address those needs
effectively.

The Delmarva contains both freshwater and tidal wetlands. These wetlands
serve vital natural functions such as filtering pollutants, providing
protection from flooding, and supplying valuable wildlife habitat. Some
of these vital wetlands have been restored through WRP.

Much of Maryland's and Delaware's agriculture is found in this region.
Delmarva, dominated by productive farmland and marshland, is the largest
contiguous rural region on the East Coast. However, agriculture is
succumbing to urban pressures, such as development. The number of farms
and farmers has declined. Through FRPP, landowners are compensated for
their development rights, making this program an effective means of
maintaining agricultural land as viable farm operations.

For more information about the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program,
please visit <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp>/; Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program, <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip>/ ;and
Wetlands Reserve Program, <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/>.

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