WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012–TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a media conference call to announce investments this year in financial and technical assistance for five water quality and wetlands improvement projects in seven Mississippi River Basin states. When fully implemented, the projects will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and fish habitat. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service estimates that this investment will restore 11,400 acres to wetland habitat.
USDA works with state, local, and Tribal governments and private landowners to conserve and protect our nation's natural resources - helping preserve our land, and clean our air and water. President Obama launched the America's Great Outdoors initiative in 2010 to foster a 21st century approach to conservation that is designed by and accomplished in partnership with the American people. We are working to better target conservation investments: embracing locally driven conservation and entering partnerships that focus on large, landscape-scale conservation.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
1:45 p.m. EDT
WHO: Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
WHAT: Media conference call on Lower Mississippi River Basin Water Quality and Wetlands Projects.
