Grant will help farmers; bay pollution

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working with farmers in Rockingham County to reduce water pollution from agricultural runoff.

A $100,000 federal grant will allow the foundation, local conservation officials and a private farm consultant to work with farmers near the Lower Dry River, Muddy Creek and Cooks Creek to fence livestock out of streams, plant streamside tree and grass buffers and restore wetlands.

The bay tributaries are home to numerous cattle, dairy and poultry farms. Each is considered impaired by bacteria or nutrients.

Reduction of agricultural runoff is a key goal of the federal-state bay cleanup effort. Nutrient and sediment pollution can cloud the water and create damaging algal blooms and oxygen-starved areas.