Source: United States Department of Agriculture
November 5, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the launch of a new initiative to conserve coral reefs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $1 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Fiscal Year 2010 to reduce sediment and nutrient run-off from the watershed to help protect near shore coral reef ecosystems in the Guánica Bay Watershed in southwest Puerto Rico. Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Ann Mills made the announcement today on behalf of Secretary Vilsack at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force's bi-annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"USDA is committed to helping improve the health of our oceans and ensuring the continued existence of diverse and plentiful coral reefs," Mills said. "Farmers can use the funding announced today to implement conservation practices that will result in water quality enhancements, thereby helping to protect coral reef ecosystems in the watershed."

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