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Friday, 08 May 2009 |
 Amador County – Dave White, Chief of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, announced yesterday the availability of $20.9 million in funding to help California counties improve ambient air quality standards. White made the announcement during his first visit to California to chair the national Agricultural Air Quality Task Force meeting in Fresno. Amador County is one of those 36 counties that regularly fail to meet standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The funds are available to qualifying farmers and ranchers interested in “reducing air quality emissions from off-road mobile or stationary agricultural sources.” The funds will share the costs of practices that have been shown to reduce ozone precursors and particulate matter. “These funds should help California producers comply with local and state regulations,” said White, adding: “We believe agriculture can be on the leading edge of setting a cleaner, greener example for protecting the air we all breathe. We're doing what we can to help in that pursuit -- technically and financially.” Funded practices include the NRCS' combustions system air emissions management practice to improve high polluting, fully functional engines with newer, reduced-emission technologies that meet or exceed current emission standards. The first allocation of $10.9 million was announced last week, and an additional $5 million was allocated upon White’s visit. According to Ed Burton, California State Conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, “producers in all California counties will continue to be encouraged to do air quality conservation, working through the Agency's technical assistance and regular (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) allocation.” NRCS and agricultural producers in California have spent over $73 million on air quality projects funded through EQIP since 1998. Interested farmers and ranchers are invited to apply between April 30 and June 26, 2009, for funds made available under a new air quality provision of the 2008 federal Farm Bill. Interested applicants in eligible counties should contact their local NRCS service center. Story by Alex Lane
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