The Senate Finance Committee unanimously reported out Senate Bill 690 (Waugh-R-York, O’Pake-D-Berks), the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), that would give farmers tax credits for installing conservation practices.

The Committee amended the legislation to set the initial cap on tax credits for fiscal year 2007-08 at $10 million.

Also this week, members of the General Assembly, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and representatives of 60 environmental, sportsmen and business groups held a press conference to called on the General Assembly and Gov. Rendell to enact the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act of Pennsylvania (REAP) as part of this year’s budget.

“Blessing,” a local dairy cow owned by the Michael Miller Family from Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, joined the event as a symbol of Pennsylvania agriculture and the vital role that dairy farming plays in our economy.

Video Blog: Coalition Urges Action on REAP

“Agriculture generates $4.8 billion in farm production each year, with dairy farms leading the way,” said PA Executive Director of CBF, Matthew Ehrhart. “By enacting REAP, the Governor and our legislators will be taking significant strides toward cleaning up our rivers and streams, providing cleaner drinking water, and creating healthier, more financially productive farms.”

“As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, I understand the need to clean up our rivers and streams and the role agriculture can play,” said Sen. Mike Waugh. “I also know farmers cannot do it on their own. REAP would give farmers a creative new tool that makes the private and public sectors real partners in achieving our water quality improvement goals.”

Attending the press conference were Democratic and Republican members of the General Assembly, including speakers Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair), Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington) and Sen. Michael O’Pake (D-Berks).

Other legislators attending the event included: Rep.Michael McGeehan (D-Philadelphia), Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Crawford) and Rep. Bob Bastian (R-Somerset).

“Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s number one industry, but unfortunately we have lost farms and farmers over the last 10 years, 23 percent of dairy farms alone,” said Sen. Michael O’Pake. “The REAP proposal gives farmers, particularly dairy operations, much needed assistance to install farm conservation practices that not only reduce nutrients and sediment runoff, but increase farm productivity and reduce costs. That means more usable income for our farmers at this critical time.”

“REAP will establish one of the most important programs to benefit agriculture and water quality in Pennsylvania’s history,” said Rep. Jerry Stern. “This ground-breaking legislation will not only help our streams, but will also help the economic stability of our agricultural industry.”

“REAP will clean up the water that serves us all, without burdening our farmers with unmanageable debt,” said Rep. Peter Daley. “It uses proven market mechanisms to connect farmers with a need with taxpaying businesses who can help out. It is an efficient, innovative solution that uses less bureaucracy to get the same job done in less time.”

Other speakers at the event included Brian Hill, President and CEO Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC); Joel Rotz, State Governmental Relations Director for the PA Farm Bureau; Chad Forcey, Director of Business Development; PA Landscape and Nursery Association; and John W. Brosious, Deputy Director, PA Municipal Authorities Association.

REAP would provide transferable state tax credits to Pennsylvania farmers who proactively plan and implement highly effective conservation practices to reduce runoff. Businesses that sponsor such conservation projects will also be eligible for corresponding tax credits. REAP will improve water quality and strengthen our agricultural communities and the economy statewide.

“The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau strongly supports REAP as a viable approach to increasing the return on the public's investment in environmental stewardship by encouraging the private sector to help finance needed best management practices on farms,” said Joel Rotz, State Governmental Relations Director for the PA Farm Bureau. “The state budget is about public priorities and we believe this should be one of those included.”

The bill provides personal and business state tax credits ranging from 25 to 75 percent of the cost to install best management practices like barnyard improvements, riparian buffers, stream fencing and other practices. The development of manure management plans on farmlands, and forested buffers on non-farm lands, would also be eligible for credit. Each farmer enrolled in the program is eligible for up to $150,000 in tax credits which can be extended over a period of 15 years.

The REAP proposal is included in House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 690.

To learn more, visit CBF’s REAP webpage and find Pennsylvania’s impaired waterways on this webpage.

Video Blog: Coalition Urges Action on REAP

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to voting session June 18. The House has added June 21 as a session day and the Senate has added it as a “tentative” session day in addition to June 28 and 29. The budget push has begun!

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/ Bills Introduced

· Senate/House Bills Moving

· House Committee Reports 3 Bills in Governor’s Energy Pakcage

· Alternative Energy, Fee/Penalty Use Bills Move Out Of Senate Committee

· Freeman Bill to Promote Alternative to Sprawl Passes House Unanimously

· Senate Committee Hears From Electric Generators, Distributors on Energy Policy

· House Committee Hears Comments on Changes to Electric Competition

Other News

· Joanne Denworth, Joseph Manko Recognized with PEC’s Curtin Winsor Award

· $21 Million in Natural Resource, Open Space, Recreation Grants Announced

· USDA Offers Help With Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans

· EPA Spotlights Watershed Restoration Efforts in Bedford, Huntingdon Counties

· Judge’s Ruling Confirms Public’s Rights on Little Juniata River

· Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Hosts Sojourn June 30

· June 16 River Sweep in Western PA Still Needs Volunteers

· Clinton County CleanScapes Project Announces Summer Cleanup Schedule

· Use It Again, PA! Website Expands Statewide to Promote Reuse of Products

· Shaver's Creek Environmental Center Birding Cup Raises $11,000

· First West-Nile-Positive Mosquito of Season Discovered in Blair County

· Lancaster County Rolls Out Waste to Energy Message on Transfer Vehicles

· June 21 is “Dump the Pump” and Try Transit Day in Central PA

· Says Hybrid Vehicle Owners May Qualify for a Premium Discount on Insurance

Feature

· Disappearing Habitat, Disappearing Common Birds

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

6/15/2007