Thanks to the collaborative effort of the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Agriculture (MDA) and their local partners, the Huron Conservation District was selected to participate in The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI). This funding will further the goals of the Pinnebog and Pigeon River Watershed Management Projects to reduce sediment and nutrient loading to the Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.  Additionally, it allows the implementation and adoption of agricultural practices by producers to ultimately improve the water quality of Saginaw Bay. 

The CCPI is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Huron Conservation District, along with two other selected projects, will receive funding of about $1.1 million in financial assistance from existing conservation programs. 

The Huron County proposal builds on resources currently in place in the district, including staff from MDA's Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program, and two DEQ funded watershed projects in the Pinnebog and Pigeon River Watersheds. 

"The extensive partnerships across levels of government demonstrates the on-going successful efforts of the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative (SBCI) to coordinate resources and address local priorities," said MDEQ Director Steven Chester.  "MDA played a critical role in facilitating this successful effort that will be important in implementing the recommendations developed by the SBCI Phosphorus Committee targeted at reducing phosphorus loading to the Saginaw Bay." 

"Huron Conservation District's history of dedicated work connecting farmers with pollution prevention practices will result in quantifiable accomplishments and a program continuing beyond the funding parameters," said MDA Director Don Koivisto. "The project also strengthens existing partnerships aimed at reducing risks associated with sedimentation and phosphorus which contribute to degrading water quality in the Saginaw Bay."

Applications for financial assistance through the CCPI are currently being accepted at the Bad Axe USDA Service Centers. Financial assistance is available through the Natural Resource Conservation Service's (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). The financial assistance from NRCS will cover an estimated 75 percent of the cost for installing conservation practices designed to protect water, soil, air, and wildlife resources.

"This special funding will go a long way in meeting the goals of the Pinnebog and Pigeon River Watershed Management Projects and targets the entire area of these two watersheds and will allow for better utilization of funds and actual measureable improvements," said Jeanette Renn, Huron Conservation District Project Administrator.  "We are pleased to have been selected for this special project allowing us to offer this funding opportunity to our landowners and operators."

Editor's note:  MDEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

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