Last week more than 60 eager volunteers helped to plant over 1,000 trees in a new forest stream buffer on the Al Wenger Farm near Mt. Joy, Pa.

The tree planting was coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association and the Trees for the 21st Century Program.

Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, explained the important role forested stream buffers play in reducing nutrient and sediment runoff and in helping to improve water quality in Conewago Creek.

The buffer project on the Wenger Farm, explained Patten, was funded with the help of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program that pays for plant materials and provides an annual land rental payment to the farmer for the land kept in the buffer.

Video Blog: Kim Patten, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

A key partner in the buffer project is the Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association, whose members, along with local boy scouts, made up a good part of the work crew.

Matt Royer, President of the Association, outlined some of the threats to water quality in the watershed and importance of projects like this to improving water quality.

Video Blog: Matt Royer on Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.

Co-founder of the Association, Hal Royer, said he helped start the watershed group because he was a life-long resident of the area and wanted to see what he could do to improve his watershed.

He noted that he grew up with Al Wenger, the owner of the farm, illustrating how personal relationships help get the job done locally. And yes, Matt Royer is his son.

Video Blog: Hal Royer, Co-Founder Conewago Creek Watershed Assn.

Trees for the 21st Century, a program administered by The Future of Life, uses tree-planting programs to help children ages 6 to 18 understand the value of the environment and expand the world inventory of trees.

Amanda Benner said they often work with scouting groups, like the boy scouts participating in this buffer project, to help them become better stewards of the environment.

Video Blog: Amanda Benner, Trees for the 21st Century

Local volunteers made up most of the crew, but planting organizers got a surprise when a couple from Connecticut stopped by to lend a hand. They had been in the area and thought it would be great to help out!

Although more than 2,000 miles of forested stream buffers have been planted in Pennsylvania through the efforts of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and many other partners in the last few years, many more miles of projects of this kind are needed.

A coalition of environmental, farm, businesses and municipal groups recently announced the Pennsylvania Fair Share for Clean Water Plan to help wastewater plant ratepayers and farmers finance improvements needed to address Chesapeake Bay and statewide water quality improvement mandates while preserving economic opportunity for future homeowners and businesses.

The groups include: Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Builders Association, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In addition, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs voiced their support for the plan.

The seven-year plan includes $500 million to help finance a portion of the upgrades needed by 184 wastewater treatment plants in the region and $390 million to help farmers install conservation practices.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Fair Share Plan for Clean Water, visit the Fair Share Plan webpage.

Video Blog: Remarks By Coalition Partners on the Fair Share Clean Water Plan

Links: Coalition Proposes Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan

16,000 Miles of Polluted Streams Add Urgency to Call for Clean Water Funding

CBF, Other Groups Ask State to Be a Partner in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan

5/9/2008