The State Conservation Commission is tentatively scheduled to begin accepting applications for FY 2019 Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program on September 3.

REAP offers tax credits to agricultural producers who install BMPs or make equipment purchases that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, which improves Pennsylvania’s streams and watersheds.

As a result of changes included in the PA Farm Bill passed in June, there is now a total of $13 million available in this tax credit program, including $3 million specifically targeted to the Pennsylvania portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The program was also changed to expand eligibility and total tax credits available to farmers and third party sponsors of projects.

The expanded program now includes conservation and manure management plans and the remediation of legacy sediments.

Certain high priority farm conservation practices are now eligible for a tax credit equal to 90 percent of the eligible costs.  The previous limit was 75 percent.

For the first time, eligible costs also include maintenance of best management practices based on rates established by the State Conservation Commission.

Click Here to see the changes made, starting on page 39.  Be sure to check the new application package for the new elements of the program.

For more information, visit the Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program.  Questions should be directed to Joel Semke by calling 717-705-4032 or send email to: jsemke@pa.gov.

Other Farm Conservation Grants

Farmers or local groups helping farmers can also apply for these grants to install on-farm conservation practices by these deadlines--

August 31: Prequalification-DCNR/PennVEST Multifunction Stream Buffer Grants

September 15: Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants Opens

September 30: DCNR/PennVEST Buffer Grants-Pre-Qualified Applicants Only

October 1: Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Landowner Volunteers

October 18: Restoration Grants: Tulpehocken & Quittapahilla Creek Watersheds

December 1: DEP Farm, Small Business Advantage Grants

December 15: Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants

April 1: DEP Chesapeake Bay Farm Conservation Plan Grants

Related Articles This Week:

Maryland Governor Calls For Action, Accountability On PA's Plan To Reduce Water Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay

Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay Honors Turkey Hill Clean Water Partnership Founder John Cox, Other Award Winners Sept. 26

DEP, Agriculture, DCNR Layout Their Hopes For Final Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities Watershed Plan

Harrisburg Sewage System Released Nearly 1.4 Billion Gallons Of Inadequately Treated Wastewater Into Susquehanna In 2018, An Increase Since 2016

Bay Journal: Cruel World Awaits Newly Planted Forested Stream Buffers Without Maintenance

Bay Journal: Neighborly Approach To Stream Buffers Has Ripple Effect Among Amish In Lancaster County

West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition Meets Sept. 17 At Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County

Call For Presentation Proposals: 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit March 11-12

Related Articles:

Final PA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Plan Still Falls Short Of Required Water Pollution Reductions

CBF: Pennsylvania's Plan To Reduce Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay Sorely Deficient

NewsClips:

Maryland Concerned About Pennsylvania’s Plans To Reduce Pollution Going To Chesapeake Bay

AP: Maryland Concerned About Pennsylvania’s Water Pollution Reduction Plans For Chesapeake Bay

Micek: MD Governor To Wolf: PA Needs To Up Its Game On Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

[Posted: August 26, 2019]

9/2/2019