The Chesapeake Bay Foundation this week called for increasing funding for the highly successful Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) farm conservation tax credit program to at least $50 million in the next state budget.

In the first 10 days of accepting applications, the State Conservation Commission received over $10 million in applications. Now over 260 applications have been received, requesting $11.3 million in projects - maxing out the first-year budget of $10 million.

“The tremendous response to REAP demonstrates that farmers are willing to implement best management practices on their farms,” said Matthew Ehrhart, Executive Director of CBF’s Pennsylvania office. “REAP is a practical solution that will help farmers better protect water quality while at the same time helping their own bottom line.”

In what amounts to a huge success for the supporters, organizers, and sponsoring legislators of REAP, this level of interest proves that financial opportunities for agriculture are needed and welcomed by Pennsylvania’s farmers.

“We’re glad to see such a positive response in such a short timeframe,” said Mary Bender, REAP Director for the State Conservation Commission. “While the application requests for this fiscal year have gone beyond our budget, we will continue to accept applications until February 8th and encourage farmers who are in the process of submitting an application to continue to do so.”

“We’d like to thank our legislators and the Governor for enacting REAP,” said Ehrhart. “The State Department of Agriculture and the SCC should also be commended for their ability to pull the program together so quickly.”

Agriculture contributes a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to the Susquehanna River, and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay. With increasing pressure on Pennsylvania to meet water quality regulations, farmers need new options to help them decrease pollution and soil erosion. REAP is designed to fulfill that need –but clearly additional funds are necessary in order to meet the demand.

“REAP will make significant improvements to our statewide water quality and to local economies. We hope the Governor and our legislators will recognize the demand for the program and increase next years budget to the originally proposed $50 million.”

For more information, visit the State Conservation Commission REAP webpage or the CBF REAP webpage.

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2/1/2008