The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will hold an informational meeting September 19 on House Bill 2878 (Stern-R-Blair, Hershey-R-Chester, Daley-D-Washington) that would create the Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax Credit Program (REAP) would provide farmers and landowners with business or personal state tax credits to cover their cost for installing best management practices that will reduce nutrients and sediments going into rivers and streams.

Tax credits of between 25 and 75 percent, up to a total of $150,000, would be provided to clean up barnyards, plant forested buffers, install stream bank fencing and remove legacy sediments from floodplains.

The program would allow the tax credits to be sold and transferred to others or rolled ahead for up to 15 years.

Also included is a sponsorship program that allows businesses to finance projects on farms and receive a tax credit for their investment.

The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee held a public hearing that included the Senate companion bill – Senate Bill 1286 (Wenger-R-Lancaster, Waugh-R-York, O’Pake-D-Berks) -- last week.

The House Agriculture Committee is chaired by Rep. Hershey (R-Chester) and Rep. Daley (D-Washington).

Issue NoteBook: Resource Enhancement & Protection Tax Credit Proposal

Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP Resource Page

Session Schedule

The Senate returns to session September 19 and the House on September 25.

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda

Other News

· Committee Told DEP Mercury Rule Imposes Twice the Cost, No Added Benefits

· State Treasurer Launches $90 Million Keystone Green Investment Strategy

· Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force to Host Alternative Energy Educator Workshop

· Sustainable Living Festival/Conference Set For Berks County

· DEP Awards $740,000 In Environmental Education Grants

· Volunteers Turn Abandoned Mine Land Into Community Flower Garden

· Saint Vincent College Hosts Acid Mine Drainage Workshop for Teachers

· PA Lake Management Society Conference, 2006 Photo Contest in October

· Ohio River Celebration Attracts 900 So Far, Grants Added for Watershed Groups

· Watershed Alliance of York Sponsors 4th Watershed Weekend September 23 & 24

· Green Roof Technology Seminar and BMP Tour October 6

· Brandywine Creek Clean Up Scheduled, Tree Planting in Laurels Reserve

· Forum to Focus on Guide to the Natural Communities of the Delaware Estuary

· PA Rural Water Assn. Offers Billing, Financial Services

· Industrial-Strength Opportunities to Reduce Energy Costs Topic of Workshops

· Duquesne Light Settlement Means $6 Million for Green Electricity, Energy Efficiency

· Steady Reduction in Power Plants Emissions Continue With Cap & Trade Program

· EPA Administrator to Lead Cooperative Conservation Listening Session in Pottstown

· Benefits of Smart Growth Shown in 40 Communities Throughout U.S.

· DEP Soliciting Proposals for Federal Coastal Zone Land Acquisition Grants

· Northeast Environmental Partners Awards Dinner October 18

See & Hear

· Water Environmental Federation Sponsors 2 Free TMDL Development Webcasts

Environmental Heritage

· Penn State University Library Hosts Mira Lloyd Dock Slide Collection Online

· State Historical Marker Dedicated for Edmund Bacon, Philadelphia City Planner

Feature

· Paddlers Congregate on Lake Erie’s Shoreline During the Final PA River Sojourn Event of 2006, By Justin Shellenberger, Watershed Weekly

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

9/15/2006