The effort to reduce pollution entering Pennsylvania’s 80,000 miles of rivers and streams is about to get a big boost thanks to the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP). The law enacting the program became effective this week.

The REAP Program provides $10 Million this fiscal year for agricultural Best Management Practices in the form of transferable or sponsored tax credits.

REAP was included in Senate Bill 97, but received overwhelming bipartisan support. It was sponsored in the House by Representatives Jerry Stern (R-Blair) and Peter Daley (D-Washington) and in the Senate by Senators Mike Waugh (R-York) and Michael O’Pake (D-Berks), along with 79 other co-sponsors.

“REAP offers a common-sense solution to many of our agriculturally-related water quality issues,” said Matthew Ehrhart, Executive Director of CBF’s Pennsylvania office. “REAP will help farmers improve their operations while cleaning up our rivers and streams.”

The State Conservation Commission, jointly chaired by the state Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, is overseeing the program and anticipates applications will be available by December 1.

Personal and business state tax credits ranging from 50 to 75 percent of the cost to install conservation practices like barnyard improvements, riparian buffers, no-till planting equipment, stream fencing and other practices will be available.

“Pennsylvania farmers are terrific stewards of the land, and REAP will help them continue to protect the environment while producing food, fiber and fuel for the world,” said Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture. “I am confident REAP will be an important part of agriculture and our environment, helping improve both our natural resources and our economy.”

Each farm enrolled in the program is eligible for up to $150,000 in transferable tax credits that can be used over a 15-year period or sold to other taxpayers. A business can earn tax credits by sponsoring projects on an eligible farm.

“Farmers should watch their farm publications for opportunities near them to learn more about this innovative approach to helping them foot the cost of environmental best management practices on their farms,” said Joel Rotz, State Governmental Relations Director for the PA Farm Bureau.

Workshops Scheduled

Throughout the coming months CBF, sponsoring legislators, and other organizations will be hosting public forums to educate the various farmers, businesses and interested parties about the program and the enrollment process.

CBF will be presenting information about REAP during a farmer workshop on crops, soils, and conservation planting. The event will be held in Lititz, Pa on October 30-31. Pre-registration is required. Call Binkley & Hurst, LP at 1-800-414-4705.

Rep. Jerry Stern (R-Blair) will be hosting a forum to talk about REAP at 1 p.m. on November 1, at the Morrison’s Cove Memorial Park in Martinsburg, Pa. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by calling Stern's Hollidaysburg office at 814-695-2398.

Farmers are welcome to attend Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s opening session at their annual meeting on November 12 at Hershey Motor Lodge at 9:00 a.m. Also, information sessions are being planned for both the Harrisburg and York farm shows in January 2008.

For more information visit the State Conservation Commission or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation REAP webpages

10/26/2007