Release No.0170.00
                               
                   Media Contact: Susan McAvoy (202) 720-4623
                                       susan.mcavoy @usda.gov
                     Public Contact: Joe Walsh (202) 205 1134
                                             jwalsh@fs.fed.us
                                                             
USDA ANNOUNCES $1.3 MILLION GRANT TO PROTECT POTOMAC RIVER
AND CHESAPEAKE BAY

     WASHINGTON, May 18, 2000 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced a $1.3 million grant that will improve the land and waters of the Potomac River
and enhance the overall ecosystem health of the Chesapeake Bay.  

     The grant initiates the Potomac River Partnership, a public-private effort that joins
USDA's Forest Service with the states of Maryland and Virginia as well as Ducks Unlimited. 
This consortium will increase restoration efforts, expand outreach to private landowners,
conduct watershed assessments, carry out research and monitoring, develop urban greenways,
and conduct education efforts.

     "This project reflects the vital importance of forests to water quality in the United
States.  It builds on a strong federal and state partnership in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed,
and it will broaden our efforts through the strength of Ducks Unlimited, landowner outreach,
and stewardship efforts," said Glickman.  "The work of the Potomac River Partnership will
lead to the restoration of 150 acres of wetland and more than 50 miles of riparian forest
restoration in the first two years alone."  

     The five-year project will initially target activities on private lands in the Monocacy
and Antietam River watersheds in Maryland, and the North and South Forks of the
Shenendoah River in Virginia. 

     The Forest Service has a long-standing commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Program
and has provided leadership for its Riparian Forest Buffer Initiative since 1994.  This large-
scale watershed restoration project will accelerate efforts in the Potomac River Basin and act
as a catalyst for expanding partnerships to address issues affecting the river and its
communities.  The coordinated watershed approach will attract new federal, state, private and
corporate partners, and sponsors and can be expanded to other portions of the Potomac River
Watershed.

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     Below are project highlights: 

         Complete a Strategic Forest Assessment to identify forests in the watershed that have
     the highest value to watershed health and other needs. 

         Working with Ducks Unlimited and others to develop a strategy for targeting
     restoration and protection actions to where they will have the greatest benefit.  
         Establish watershed-based fire prevention teams and community fire prevention
     education.

         Reduce fire risk in high-hazard areas and improving access to water for fire
     suppression. 

         Add new education programs in local communities to stimulate involvement in
     watershed restoration by landowners, schools and civic groups.  

         Develop urban greenway projects and assistance to local governments in addressing
     resource issues related to sprawl.  

         Protect contiguous corridors of forest land through conservation easements. 

         Improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat through the restoration of forests
     along over 500 miles of streams and the restoration of over 3000 acres of  wetlands
     and upland wildlife habitat.

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