Last updated: 10/23/98

As part of a USDA water quality initiative established by Congress in 1990, three types of water quality projects were established across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Hydrologic Unit Areas (HUA)

watersheds with identified agricultural nonpoint pollution problems, or a strong potential for such problems to occur
strive to promote voluntary adoption of crop and livestock management strategies that protect water quality
74 regions in the United States and Puerto Rico were classified as HUAs in 1990 and 1991

Demonstration Project Areas

designed to directly involve producers in on-farm trials of management practices that have a positive impact on water quality
16 Demonstration Project Areas were initiated in 1990 and 1991

Management Systems Evaluation Areas (MSEA)

designed to evaluate and develop profitable cropping systems that maintain or improve water quality
significant research component in coordination with Extension education

14 MSEAs, coordinated from 7 states (Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio) started in 1990
 

The HUAs, Demonstration Projects and MSEAs are a joint effort of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Farm Services Agency.

Please send questions, comments, or suggestions to: cjanssen@dept.agry.purdue.edu

Graphics by Sharon Katz , Ag Communication Service., Purdue University.