September 4, 2007
Contact:
 Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
Back

Senate Update
by
Senator James J. Rhoades

Pennsylvania has a rich agricultural heritage, and agriculture remains one of the state's most important industries. Our state was the first in the nation to create a farmland preservation program, and several states have followed our lead. This summer, I supported legislation that creates another first-of-its-kind program to promote our agriculture community.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program will help farmers meet state and federal environmental regulations by offering tax credits to support nutrient management. The program will allow farmers to reduce nutrient loss while improving water quality for all Pennsylvanians.

REAP will provide tax credits of up to $150,000 to help farmers plan and implement best management practices. These measures may include barnyard and livestock area renovations, planning and implementation of nutrient management plans, stream bank fencing and other cost-effective conservation projects. These critical on-the-ground conservation projects are an important tool for farmers to clean up the environment and improve their operations.

REAP tax credits also provide farmers with considerable financial flexibility. Credits can be carried over for a maximum of 15 years and will cover between 25 and 75 percent of the project cost. They are also transferable, meaning that a business or individual can sponsor a project and receive a tax credit, reducing the up-front costs for farmers and providing more opportunities for improvements. Credits can also be sold to individuals and businesses when farmers cannot take full advantage of the financial benefits of the program.

While REAP is focused on improving agriculture operations, all Pennsylvanians will benefit from the program through improved water quality in our communities. By reducing run-off, REAP will improve the quality of our streams and provide cleaner drinking water across the state, making it one of the most important water quality measures enacted in our state's history.

Our farming operations drive Pennsylvania's economy, and we remain a national leader in helping our farmers operate efficiently and effectively. I am confident that the REAP program will become a national model for improving nutrient management and water quality in the near future.

Senator Rhoades represents the 29th Senatorial District, which includes all of Schuylkill County and parts of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton Counties.