The latest update from DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office includes info on the next round of Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program; sign ups for the Mifflin County Riparian Ranger Program, York County’s Better Farms, Cleaner Water Ag Field Day July 28  and much more!

Farm Conservation Tax Credits

The State Conservation Commission received 500 applications for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program as of May 31, 2022.

Tax credit requests from those applications are estimated to be over $19 million, an amount exceeding the $13 million in tax credits available to Pennsylvania farmers for measures to improve soil and water quality for this program year.

Over $10 million in REAP credits were approved for projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed during the 2021-22 program round.

REAP tax credits are available to agricultural producers who implement soil or water protection best management practices (i.e. cover crops, waste management systems) or purchase equipment (i.e. no-till equipment, manure injectors,  precision ag equipment) that reduces nutrient and sediment runoff, enhancing soil and improving the quality of Pennsylvania’s waterways.

Farmers may receive up to $250,000 in REAP tax credits, in any seven-year period, at a rate of 50 to 75 percent of the project’s eligible out-of-pocket costs.

Farmers whose operation is in a watershed with an EPA-mandated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) can receive REAP tax credits of 90 percent of out-of-pocket costs for some projects.

The 2022-23 REAP application round will open on August 1, 2022.

Mifflin County Riparian Rangers

The Mifflin County Riparian Rangers program is looking for volunteers to help take care of tree plantings that were recently completed.

The program aims to ensure a higher tree survival rate by training volunteers to visit tree plantings monthly to straighten stakes, fix and remove tree shelters, remove bird nets, monitor and remove invasive species, and help with replanting trees that die.

The Riparian Rangers Program is run by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and will be coordinated locally by the Mifflin County Conservation District.

 Click Here to sign up for more information and to register for training kick-off on July 13.

York County Better Farms, Cleaner Water Field Day

The York County Better Farms, Cleaner Water Ag Field Day event will be held July 28 at the Izaak Walton League York Chapter #67, 7131 Ironstone Hill Road, Dallastown.

Everyone is invited to attend, especially those who farm and those who own a farm.

Experts will discuss cover crops and no-till, how to use tech tools to improve profits, and getting the most out of pastures.

Information about tax credit programs, grants, and loan opportunities that can assist farmers with ag BMP implementation will also be provided. A farm tour is also included.

The event and lunch are free. Register by July 15th at Better Farms, Cleaner Water webpage, or by email LGerner@YCPC.org  or by phone at 717-771-9870, ext. 1755.

The Field Day is hosted by the Ag Field Day Planning Committee, 4R Alliance, and the York County Planning Commission, with funding through a York County Community Foundation grant. 

More Updates

Click Here to read the entire DEP Chesapeake Bay Office Update.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

(Photo: Mifflin County Riparian Ranger Program.)

Take Action Now!

-- Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers, Hunters, Anglers, Farm, Environmental, Recreation Groups All Working Together, Down To The Wire, To Bring Home A Win On Growing Greener III Funding [PaEN]

[Posted: June 27, 2022]

7/4/2022