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News & Notes October
2007
REAP Offers Tax Incentives to
Install Conservation BMPs
In addition to conservation cost-share programs, Pennsylvania's farmers
now have the option of recovering a portion of out-of-pocket costs for
these farm improvements through state tax credits.
This statewide program, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act
of Pennsylvania (REAP), offers tax credits for installing agricultural
BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, vegetated riparian buffers,
no-till planting equipment, barnyard renovations, and other best management
practices (BMPs) and equipment approved by the State Conservation Commission.
The program will also consider applications for remediation of legacy
sediment projects after July 1, 2008.
A REAP tax credit provides the recipient a dollar-for-dollar reduction
of personal and business state taxes. Eligible applicants may be able
to receive between 25% and 75% of project costs as state tax credits
for up to $150,000 per agricultural operation.
To be eligible, all operations must have a current conservation plan
that meets agricultural erosion and sediment control standards (Ag E&S)
and a current nutrient management plan, if required. All operations
must also improve "animal concentration areas" (barnyards,
sacrifice areas, loafing areas, etc.) to Commission standards and also
install any uncompleted BMPs called for in their Ag E&S control
plan and their nutrient management plan.
Conservation districts can be involved in this innovative program by
working with producers to develop conservation plans, identify BMPs
needed on their land, and by providing technical assistance to REAP
applicants. These BMPs are aimed to improve water quality which will
benefit all conservation district constituents.
The State Conservation Commission (SCC) will oversee and implement REAP
when it becomes effective October 24, 2007. Guidelines and applications
for this pollution reduction program will be developed by SCC this fall.
Leadership Development Committee
Produces New "White Papers"
The Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Committee released
three new "white papers" for conservation districts. The papers
address subjects that have been, or are being, addressed by many conservation
districts. The papers gather experiences from conservation district
directors and staff who have already dealt with these issues and include
steps that other districts can use.
The three issues covered by the newest set of "white papers"
are: True Program Costs, Working More Closely with Municipal Governments,
and Developing and Fostering Relations with County Government. A copy
of each document has been provided to every conservation district office
and is available on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/districts/district_interests.htm.
Nominate a Legislator for Statewide
Recognition
Each year PACD recognizes one outstanding legislator whose leadership
efforts have helped further the activities and accomplishments of the
PACD and/or Pennsylvania's sixty-six county conservation districts.
The legislator is recognized in front of his or her peers during PACD's
Capital Day.
Please consider submitting a nomination for the PACD Legislator Recognition
Award. Nominations for this award may be submitted by PACD members.
Award recipients will be selected by PACD Executive Board members. Nominations
must be received at the PACD office no later than 4:00 p.m. on December
15, 2007. The nomination form can be found on the PACD website at http://www.pacd.org/about/nomination/Legislator.htm.
Please direct questions to Shannon Wehinger, PACD communication specialist,
at 717-238-7223 x18 or shannon-wehinger@pacd.org.
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