WASHINGTON -- Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has announced that the Senate has approved the FY 2010 Department of Agriculture Appropriations bill, which includes funding for several projects and programs throughout the State of West Virginia. Byrd, who is the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in including the money in the bill for the West Virginia initiatives listed below:

“The Agriculture Appropriations bill supports a wide variety of projects and programs important to our state. From aquaculture to fruit research, and clean drinking water to flood protection, I am pleased and proud to be looking out for the interests of West Virginians,” Byrd said.

Agriculture Research Service Appalachian Fruit Research Station Kearneysville, West Virginia

$2 million to complete design and begin construction of an expansion to the laboratory and specialized research space at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station (AFRS). The proposed expansion will incorporate new, environmentally-friendly fruit production technologies allowing U.S. producers to remain competitive within global markets; $400,000 to support the hiring of a computer vision engineer/scientist and support staff for the AFRS. The new scientist and support staff will work to develop components of robotic systems for automation of fruit production and handling processes, and to develop pest-only targeted spray technology in tree fruits;

“The work taking place at the AFRS is critical to commercial orchards in staying competitive within the global marketplace and in keeping up-to-date with new technology for implementing environmentally safe practices on the farm. The “green” technologies being researched at AFRS are not only important to growers, but to the consumer and the general public,” stated Mr. Mark Orr, President, West Virginia Horticultural Society, when he learned of Byrd’s efforts.

Senator Byrd was also successful in adding funds to support important flood protection and conservation programs managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Morgantown, West Virginia:

Natural Resources Conservation Service Morgantown, West Virginia

$4 million for the construction of Site 16 of the Lost River Watershed Project in Hardy County. The project will provide $3 million in annual water supply, erosion, and incidental recreation benefits, and $612,000 in annual flood protection benefits;

$1.5 million for the Dunloup Creek Watershed Project, a voluntary flood buyout program impacting 290 properties and associated infrastructure in Fayette and Raleigh Counties which have suffered repeated flooding, with devastating events in 2001 and 2005. Accompanying this project are incalculable benefits to reducing risk to life and property, improving the quality of life to a distressed community, and restoring environmental integrity to the natural floodplain of Dunloup Creek;

$673,000 to assist West Virginia livestock producers in all 55 counties with one-to-one technical assistance to develop sound grazing systems as part of a farm-specific conservation plan, marketing strategies, and uniformity of production quality. Critical issues addressed include economic viability of producers with small herd size, pasture condition, water quality, and compliance with state and federal regulations;

$202,000 to support the Potomac and Ohio River Basins and Water Quality studies in 19 West Virginia counties. The soil phosphorus studies are designed to develop an understanding of phosphorus saturation and retention in soils. The goal of the study is to quantify seasonal distributions of water and phosphorus movement in benchmark soils, leading to the development of a watershed response model;

$168,000 for the Potomac River Tributary Strategy in eight West Virginia counties. This joint partnership between the NRCS, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, agriculture groups, and citizen interests is working toward a tributary strategy for the Potomac River that will improve the water quality of the river;

“The funds provided to NRCS in this agriculture bill will advance several critical initiatives encompassing a wide range of purposes. Relief from devastating flooding, clean and safe water, productive and responsible farming, and protecting our Potomac River watershed are issues that touch nearly every West Virginian. I am pleased to support these conservation efforts in the Mountain State,” stated Byrd.

In addition, Senator Byrd included funding for several important research initiatives at West Virginia University, Marshall University, and West Virginia State University.

"The on-going research that is being conducted at these institutions of higher learning not only helps to ensure that the Nation’s agricultural sector is flourishing, but that our natural resources are managed wisely,” said Byrd. “In addition, these efforts by West Virginia scientists and researchers contribute to the Nation’s efforts to increase conservation, productivity, and food safety. That is why I am committed to providing these funds for these research programs.”

$500,000 to the Marshall University (MU) Bacterial Source Tracking Project, Water Pollutants Database. This project will support environmental fecal source tracking and pathogen profiling in natural waters; research, education, and training of law enforcement in microbial forensics. Rapid identification of fecal contamination is paramount in reducing human exposure to pathogens and remediating the source;

$500,000 for the West Virginia State University Agriculture Waste Utilization Project in Institute. This money will be used to continue work developing innovative and biological ways of utilizing livestock wastes by converting them into assets for the farmer. Environmental contamination caused by agricultural and other waste is a worldwide problem, and West Virginia State has been developing a technology that can contribute in alleviating and reducing these types of wastes;

$484,000 for the West Virginia University Wood Utilization Program in Morgantown. West Virginia University will utilize this funding to further its role in the nine-state Wood Utilization Program which promotes forestry and forest products as viable contributors to the economies of each state. This project will focus on efforts to identify and promote economic opportunities for the state’s wood products industries through applied research and technology transfers;

$550,000 to West Virginia University for Aquaculture Production and Marketing Development. This will continue research and community outreach efforts on more efficient and profitable production of fish. Specific emphasis is given to marketing, cost of production and processing, product quality, improved production technologies, proper treatment and disposal of waste products, potential use of impaired mine waters, and technical support for state producers and processors of fish; and

The USDA’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is integral to protecting communities from animal pest and disease, and ensuring productivity and safety in the Nation’s food sources. APHIS’s efforts support the overall mission of USDA, promoting and protecting food safety, agriculture, and natural resources. Senator Byrd was successful in adding the following for the Integrated Predation Management Program for West Virginia:

$280,000 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Integrated Predation Management Program for West Virginia: The West Virginia Integrated Predation Management Program matches federal and state funds to help sheep, goat, and cattle producers in West Virginia. Through this program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works to protect property and reduce human health and safety risks by managing the population of the local predators. In addition, the program combats wild-borne diseases, protects natural resources, such as fisheries and timber, from wildlife depredation.

Joseph Aucremanne, President of the West Virginia Shepherds Federation and the Summers County Farm Bureau, stated, “Wildlife Services technical assistance is invaluable for implementing several livestock protection techniques. Wildlife Services personnel conduct workshops and seminars across the state throughout the year. I have attended several and know that they provide invaluable information. For every dollar spent on predator management, $5.00 is saved for producers. The more producers learn about the Predation Management control, the more they support it.”

In addition to the specific West Virginia projects funded in the bill, there are also several rural development programs which will include funding for West Virginia. Overall the bill includes:

$3.046 billion in discretionary budget authority for rural development programs, which is an increase of nearly $310 million above the fiscal year 2009 enacted level and $26 million above the President’s request. This includes funding for water and wastewater loans and grants, as well as for several rural business and renewable energy programs;

In the area of rural housing, the bill includes $980 million for rural rental assistance, which is an increase of $78 million above the fiscal year 2009 enacted level. This increase will allow for renewal of expiring rental contracts that otherwise would have resulted in the eviction of tenants, comprised mostly of elderly, disabled, or female head of household; and

The bill includes $217 million in budget authority to support more than $13 billion in direct and guaranteed single family housing loans. In the aftermath of the national housing crisis, the USDA rural housing programs remain extremely active in support of home ownership.