Congress this week passed a new federal Farm Bill that would provide $440 million in additional farm conservation funding divided between the three states in the Chesapeake Bay region, but Pennsylvania farmers alone will need an estimated $600 million to comply with nutrient reduction requirements, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

“The bill provides the federal government’s largest single contribution ever to reduce pollution and restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, a national treasure,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker. “This region’s farm families have demonstrated they are willing to put their sweat and equity into conservation practices but can’t shoulder the burden alone.”

“In Pennsylvania, CBF applauds the efforts of Congressman Holden, Senator Casey, and the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation for their leadership and support for this critical legislation,” said CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director Matt Ehrhart. “This legislation, along with passage of the Pennsylvania Fair Share Plan, will bring the Commonwealth much closer to achieving its pollution reduction goal.”

A coalition of environmental, farm, businesses and municipal groups developed 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: PA Municipal Authorities Association, PA Farm Bureau, PA Builders Association, PA Association of Conservation Districts and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In addition, the PA Association of Realtors, the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, local government and other groups have 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.

The federal legislation provides $188 million over the next 4.5 years for a new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, plus more than $252 million is expected as the regional share of national conservation program increases to be split among the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

CBF estimates that the funding could reduce nitrogen pollution by as much as 40 million pounds annually to local rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay, depending on the number of farmers who request the money, the practices they use and state and private matching funds.

The new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program will distribute funding through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, with reference to the “tributary strategy” plans already developed by the states and with priority consideration given to the Susquehanna, Patuxent, Potomac, and Shenandoah river basins.

Cost-share agreements between farmers and the USDA will fund conservation practices such as cover crops, fencing cattle out of streams, and manure management. While the program makes $188 million in new funds available through 2012, it could continue into the next Farm Bill and be worth as much as $438 million over 10 years.

“Like many other groups, we believe that several provisions of the bill could be improved,” said CBF Federal Affairs Director Doug Siglin. “However, from the perspective of the Bay, the Farm Bill makes real improvements to current law, and the benefits to water quality in this region will be clear and measurable.”

The historic appropriation comes after many years of efforts by CBF, its members and partners. That work picked up considerable steam three years ago with the release of “Vital Signs,” a CBF report on the state of agriculture in the Chesapeake region.

The report, and others that followed at CBF, documented the critical need for additional federal funds to support conservation practices that ensure healthy farms and healthy streams. CBF staff, trustees, member, and friends worked diligently with members of Congress, farmers, farm organizations, and federal and state officials to rally support for the conservation funds now contained in the Farm Bill.

“CBF has been working with our partners to achieve meaningful federal funding for the Bay and the farm bill for three years,” Baker said. “This is a great day for the Bay, and we thank all the elected officials and CBF member who worked so hard to make this happen. Better water quality will be the result.”

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

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5/16/2008