NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

Contact:

Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3582

(302) 943-3818

USDA Celebrates Earth Day

Completion of Kent County Wastewater Project Highlighted

            Worton, Md., April 19, 2011 – Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Cheryl Cook today joined agencies representing every level of government and a farm family to highlight the environment and conservation practices that are helping to improve the Chesapeake Bay.

            “This is a great example of a public-private partnership working to help restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” Cook said.  “USDA is especially proud of its efforts to help fund upgrades and improvements to local wastewater disposal systems which directly impact the Bay.” 

            Cook’s announcement took place at Piccadilly Farm located near Worton’s wastewater treatment plant that is owned and operated by Kent County Commissioners.  With the support of federal and state funding, today’s announcement highlighted the completion of an $11.5 million dollar upgrade and expansion of the wastewater treatment system.  The “state of the art” system is in compliance with more stringent regulations to eliminate the discharge of treated effluent into Morgan Creek, located in the Middle Chester River, during May 1 through October 31.

Kent County worked with local farmer, Franklin Dill to secure a site for the land application of treated effluent.  The site, approximately 2 miles from the wastewater treatment facility, includes a lagoon, pump station, and five center-pivot irrigation units that can apply treated wastewater over 75 acres of farmland.

The Dill family farm is also enrolled in USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) which is supported by USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Kent Soil and Water Conservation District.  Approximately 19 acres are in CREP buffers, waterways, ponds and grade stabilization which protect water quality and decrease erosion and runoff.

The announcement today was one of many Earth Day events and activities that are being held this week.  Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to raise awareness about the role each person can play to protect vital natural resources and safeguard the environment.  Since the first Earth Day celebration in 1970, the event has expanded to include participation by citizens and governments in more than 195 countries.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of national state and local offices. Agency programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.  Last year, the agency returned more than $400 million to rural Maryland.

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