The Dauphin County Conservation District this week announced the establishment of a nutrient trading program available to Dauphin County farm owners.

Farmers who are accepted into the program will receive 100 percent cost-share funding to install selected Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as cover crops and no-till practices, which generate nutrient trading credits due to their effectiveness at reducing the amount of nutrients delivered to the water supply via runoff.

Nutrient trading allows point source dischargers (waste water treatment plants or developers) to obtain nutrient reduction credits and thus meet their permit requirements, from non-point source dischargers (farmers) who have reduced their nutrient discharge below a basic water quality protection threshold requirement through the use of BMPs.

The additional reductions generated by the farmer are nutrient trading credits. These credits have a monetary value that may be paid to the farmer.

This program was created in response to a Department of Environmental Protection initiative focused on enhancing the water quality of the Susquehanna River in order to meet federal mandates enacted to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

The two-year trial program is open to Dauphin County farmers who meet minimum program requirements. To speak with an Agricultural Specialist regarding eligibility, or to obtain a copy of the District’s agricultural newsletter, which features general information about the nutrient trading program, please call 717-921-8100.

6/2/2006