Sen. Brubaker Speaks at Town Meeting

Pennsylvania has been blessed with beautiful streams and rivers, but as a result of pollution more than 500 miles of Lancaster County waterways are on the nation’s ‘dirty waters’ list. But more than 150 people braved rain to attend a town meeting on March 22 in Lancaster to see how they could help.

Video Blog: Sen. Brubaker’s Talks About “Setting More Seats at the Table”

Video Blog: Gary Swan, Farm Bureau, Talks About REAP and New Partnerships

Video Blog: Matt Ehrhart, CBF, Talks About Town Hall Meeting

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted the town hall meeting in Lancaster to discuss historic legislation that could reduce millions of pounds of pollution every year. The Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) proposed in the Pennsylvania legislature would provide transferable tax credits to farmers and businesses to implement conservation practices that reduce pollution.

“Passing this legislation will improve water quality in local rivers and streams, and establish Pennsylvania as a national leader in agricultural conservation,” said Matt Ehrhart, CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director. “But passage isn’t certain.”

Thriving, well-managed farm lands are vital to the long-term health of our rivers and streams, and to the region’s economy. But farmers face skyrocketing costs and decreasing profits. Nonetheless, farmers have proven repeatedly that they want to improve water quality, but they can’t shoulder the burden alone.

By installing forested buffers, fencing cattle from streams, preventing barnyard runoff, and implementing erosion control plans, farmers can better protect their farms and nearby creeks and streams, resulting in cleaner water for everyone.

Sen. Brubaker (R-Lancaster), REAP’s prime sponsor in the Senate, along with Sen. O’Pake (D-Berks), said REAP is about building new partnerships between agricultural producers, environmental groups and private industry to accomplish conservation goals.

“REAP is about bringing more seats to the table,” said Sen. Brubaker. “It’s not about spending money, it’s about making wise investments. I think people 100 years from now will think this is a wise investment.”

Video Blog: Sen. Brubaker’s Talks About “Setting More Seats at the Table”

Glen Nephin, president of Donegal Trout Unlimited, said, “Clean streams, healthy fish and profitable farms are within our reach in Lancaster County, and the REAP program would go a long way in helping us get there.”

Gary Swan, Director of Governmental Affairs and Communications for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said, “Farmers want to be great stewards of the environment and they have a proud record, and we think REAP is a progressive way to advance to the next level of environmental protection in Pennsylvania.”

Video Blog: Gary Swan Talks About REAP and New Partnerships

“We need to tell our elected officials that water quality and healthy farms are important to Pennsylvania voters,” CBF’s Pennsylvania Assistant Director Kim Patten said. “This town hall meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn about the legislation and make sure that their voice is heard.”

REAP, introduced as House Bill 100 by Rep. Stern (R-Blair) and Rep. Daley (D-Washington) and as Senate Bill 690 by Sen. Brubaker (R-Lancaster) and Sen. O’Pake (D-Berks), would give farmers tax credits of up to 75 percent of the cost of installing best management practices like forested stream buffer, stream fencing and other measures.

Visit the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) webpage for more information.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s next REAP town meeting is March 28 in York. (See separate article).

NewsClip: Officials Tout Bill to Save the Bay

Session Schedule

The Senate returns to voting session March 26 and then breaks until April 16. The House is on break and will return April 16.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

· Go Wild! With Native Plants As You Plan Your Next Landscaping Project

Online Training

· March 28 Webcast on Internet Tools for Watershed Management

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Moving/Bills Introduced

· Senate Committee to Consider Nomination of McGinty as Secretary of DEP

· House/Senate Local Government Committees Hear Local Government Priorities

· Proposed Legislation Would Allow Temporary Moratoriums on Development

Other News

· PECO Takes Action Early To Meet Renewable Energy Requirements

· EPA Announces 2007 Energy Star Award Winners

· $185 Million in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency Grants, Loans Available

· Free Alternative and Renewable Energy Educator Workshops May, June

· $150,000 Air Pollution Technology Grant to Northampton Community College

· York Town Meeting on Funding Farm BMPs Set For March 28

· Agricultural Producers, Landowners Invited to March 27 CREP Workshop

· Capital RC&D Council Sponsors Carbon Sequestration Workshop April 10

· Pennsylvania USDA-NRCS Receives $1.4 million to Protect Farm Lands

· DRBC Announces March 27 Hearings on Proposed Plan for New York City Water

· Keystone Stream Team -- Call-for-Reviewers

· Extensive DCNR Study of Forest Vegetation Shows Deer Exacting Heavy Toll

· Comment Period Extended for Upper and Little Schuylkill River TMDL Plans

· Stocked Trout Study Gives Glimpse Into Fish Residency

· Westmoreland County Earth Day Celebration April 21 St. Vincent College

· New Public/Private Partnership Results in New Elk Visitors Center in Benezette

· PennDOT Seeks Volunteers to Expand Roadside Cleanup Effort

· Task Force Being Organized on Connecting People to Nature

· Devin Fester, Columbia County, Winner of Youth Hunter Essay Contest

· Youth Hunter Education Council Sponsors Education Challenge June 23

· Air & Waste Mgmt. Assn. Offers Environmental Ed Resources, Eassy Contest

· Dan Griffiths Appointed to DEP Energy Post

· Help Wanted – Western PA Conservancy, Countryside Conservancy

Feature

· Time is Right for Bluebird Boxes to Sprout, Box Kits Available

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

3/23/2007