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__ ;. T-.. ~~~ watershed area, we are requesting special funds to expand the conservation work in this area. 2. Descri tion af.Area . The area is located in the northwestern section of Orange County and consists of 17,000 + acres. '(See attached map) There are 202 farms affected by this project. Of this total; 35% are classified as small farms. We estimate that over 25% of the population is this watershed is black.. We also estimate that 45~ of the population of the rural-urban area is of low income economic status. There are 168 tobacco farmers in this watershed which is 83% of the total number of farms.. Most tobacco farmers also raise some grain and livestock to supplement their income. In addition to the lfi8 tobacco farms, there is one large dairy farm, 11 grain farms, and 22 other miscellaneous types of farming in this area. - 3. Water: Quality Problems and Major Sources of Pollution The tapograpliy~ varies from gently sloping to strongly sloping. The predominating soils in this area are Appling sandy loam, Helena sandy loam, Georgeville silt loam, and Herndon silt loam. All these soils are highly erosive, and when they are not properly stabilized, they produce sediment at -~- alarming rates. All. soils are used extensively for the production of tobacco, which is historically a major source of sediment in the absence of conservation practices. The soils in the watershed are generally well suited for the production of all crops commonly grown in this area.` ! A sediment survey made by the Soil Conservation Service indicates that the Back Creek Reservoir wi17 fill with sediment at a rate of 61,000 tons per year if the critical sediment-producing areas in the Back Creek Watershed are not effectively controlled.