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SCMUA-WRWMG and USDA-NRCS Finalize Cooperative Cost-Share Agreements for Conservation Work in Sussex County

The SCMUA-WRWMG has established two cost-share agreements with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service that will facilitate the sharing of technical and financial resources to better serve landowners and farmers on conservation projects that are within the NJDEP 319 (h) grant funded project boundaries of the Paulinskill, Papakating Creek, and Clove Brook Watersheds.

The SCMUA-WRWMG and USDA-NRCS share the common goals of improving water quality and watershed health by increasing awareness and participation in conservation programs which promote environmental stewardship. Under these agreements, the SCMUA-WRWMG will be able to assist landowners in the project area apply for Farm Bill Programs. We will assist NRCS with program outreach, conservation planning, and conservation practice design, layout, and inspection on new and existing conservation program contracts.

The SCMUA-WRWMG is extremely excited that NRCS is providing the opportunity for us to directly assist them with natural resource conservation work locally. Equally exciting is the increased potential to directly assist local farmers financially by leveraging existing 319(h) grant funds with Farm Bill Program funds, and ultimately open up more opportunities to implement water quality improvement projects in Sussex County.

For more information about the conservation services the SCMUA-WRWMG can now provide, please contact Nathaniel Sajdak, Watershed Director or Eric VanBenschoten, Ag Outreach Specialist at 973-579-6998.