The Pennsylvania Farmers Union recently sent a letter to Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver), Majority Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 994, saying they were concerned the bill “may divert attention and resources away from helping farms across the state to establish necessary conservation practices.”

They went on to say, “The technologies supported through Senate Bill 994 are far more expensive than other nutrient reduction practices, practices that also control sediment - the biggest contributor to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.”

The PA Farmers Union joins many others, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the PA Municipal Authorities Association and PennFuture, in opposing this legislation.

The text of the letter follows--

“The Pennsylvania Farmers Union, a membership organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life of family farmers throughout our Commonwealth. Our 600 members include farmers, foresters, horticulturalists, consumers, farm organizations and cooperatives.

“In regard to SB 994 (TMDL parameter credits bill), we are concerned the bill may divert attention and resources away from helping farms across the state to establish necessary conservation practices. The technologies supported through SB 994 are far more expensive than other nutrient reduction practices, practices that also control sediment - the biggest contributor to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

“There is substantial scientific research demonstrating the source and impacts of sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen loading in the Bay watershed. After sediment, phosphorous from chemical fertilizers on agricultural and other heavy use land is what is most greatly impacting our watersheds, much more so than nitrogen from manure which appears to be the sole emphasis of the practice promoted by this bill.

“We all know there is no easy answer to improving our watersheds. But, as a farmer member organization committed to sustainable practices, we do know it will take all of us, working together, to have the greatest impact. SB 994 and its emphasis on a practice that does not support a comprehensive, diverse and holistic approach to improving water quality seems counterproductive when so many important strides are being made by farms across the Commonwealth to steward our watersheds.

“We strongly believe that funding streams must remain at 100% for current and future programs that will help all farmers – we want smaller farms to have the same access to money for best management practices and not all the funds to be directed to one type of technology. While we understand the current draft of the legislation says that the program's funds can’t be taken from conservation programs or funds already appropriated, it doesn’t prevent funds from being moved to this program in future budget/appropriations processes and this is of great concern to our farmer members.”

Sincerely, Hannah Smith-Brubaker Executive Vice-President

A copy of the letter is available online.

Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Fact Sheets

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Office has issued a series of fact sheets outlining the water quality problems and solutions being implemented in the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed--

-- A Primer On Pollutants Of Concern-- outlines the contributions Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed makes to nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution to the Bay.

-- Nearly 20,000 Miles Of PA Streams Are Polluted-- details the fact there are thousands of stream miles and hundreds of acres of lakes all across Pennsylvania that are considered “impaired” under the federal Clean Water Act that either have or will require what is known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

-- Cost Effective Solutions Are Known, Documented For The Chesapeake Bay-- notes cost effective pollution solutions have already made significant progress in reducing pollution going to the Bay, particularly in Pennsylvania.

-- Lancaster County Plain Sect Farms As Clean Water Stewards-- provides a snapshot of the Buffer Bonus initiative from CBF to encourage the installation of stream buffers by Amish and Plain Sect farmers in Lancaster County.

-- Amish and Old Order Mennonite Farms Protect Streams And The Bay-- provides an overview of a CBF initiative to work with Plain Sect farmers in Lancaster and Chester counties to install best management practices under federal Farm Bill Programs like the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

In addition, Dr. Beth McGee, Senior Water Quality Scientist at CBF, gave a PowerPoint presentation October 16 on the status of the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup in Pennsylvania and the challenges that remain.

11/25/2013