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Show Center Studies Plans The Plant Materials Centers Program, activities of USDA's Soil Conservation Service may undergo some changes according to George D. McMillan, state conservationist, Salt Lake City. McMillan said SCS is currently making a study to identify alternative ways for managing and coordinating a national program which is currently conducted in cooperation with other federal and state agencies. "We're asking the public for their views on alternatives under consideration, as well as any other comments or suggestions they may have for making the program responsive to their needs," said McMillan. SCS presently operates and maintains 22 plant materials centers in the United States. Each center develops new plants for conservation purposes in the geographic area it serves. They are released jointly with the state's agricultural experiment stations and other state and federal agencies to commercial growers for production. The plant materials centers serving Utah are located at Aberdeen in eastern Idaho, and Tucson, Ariz. Some of the more popular plants that have been released from the Aberdeen center include Latar orchard-grass, Manchar smooth brome, and Regar Meadow brome. These plants are being used successfully to control erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and for hay and pasture. "We need to know what the public needs and wants and all possible alternative ways that national conservation plant materials needs might be met," said McMillan. Users and producers of plant materials and other interested individuals and groups are invited to make their views known and react to the proposed alternatives and their impacts. Written comments should be sent to State Conservationist, Soil Conservation Service Room 4012 Federal Bldg., 125 South State St., Salt Lake City, Ut 84138 before April 4, 1980. Additional information concerning the plant materials program study may be obtained at local SCS offices. |
