Conservation Corridor forums planned
10/29/02
Maryland Department of Agriculture is conducting three community forurns for residents of the Delmarva Peninsula on the topic of the new Conservation Corridor demonstration project, which was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.
“The Conservation Corridor demonstration project provides the Delmarva communities with a unique opportunity,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Hagner R. Mister.
The 2002 Farm Bill included a special provision authored by Eastern Shore Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R), authorizing federal funds to support a demonstration project on the Delmarva Peninsula known as a conservation corridor. The project, which will utilize or enhance existing USDA programs, is aimed at maintaining the economic viability of agricultural communities and the environmental integrity of watersheds on the Delmarva Peninsula,
“We hope to gain vital input from the citizens of the Delmarva Peninsula so that we can use this voluntary program to address locally-identified needs while supporting and protecting Delmarva’s agricultural economy and natural resources,” Mister added. “We have no preconceived ideas and different counties could emphasize different programs or target different geographic scales for implementation.”
The three regional community forums will provide citizens in Eastern Shore counties with an opportunity to define how this voluntary program can best benefit their communities.
The meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following locations:
• Nov. 18, Easton High School Auditorium;
• Nov. 25,Washington College. Hynson Lounge located in Hodson Hall, Chestertown; and
• Nov. 26, Salisbury University, Great Hall located in Holloway Hall, Salisbury.
MDA is spearheading the development of a steering committee comprised of agricultural, forestry and natural resource representatives, state and federal officials, and local leaders.
Citizens participating in the community forums will be asked to consider how available USDA programs can be utilized to support the economic viability of the agricultural and forestry industries while protecting natural resources.
All three Delmarva states are eligible to participate in the Conservation Corridor. MDA is coordinating efforts with its counterparts in Delaware and Virginia. In Virginia, county officials on the Eastern Shore have been active in the program.
For more information, call (410) 841-5863