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News & Notes August 2005
Secretary Wolff Addresses Conference Attendees
During the PACD/SCC Awards Luncheon on July 26, 2005 in Erie, Secretary
of Agriculture Dennis Wolff addressed award winners and conference attendees.
Secretary Wolff said with voters support the amount of money available
in the PA Department of Agriculture doubled for the Growing Greener
program.
The Secretary also spoke about the recently passed ACRE (Agriculture
Communities and Rural Environment) legislation (see below). He thanked
districts for supporting ACRE and stated he feels it is a sound proposal
that gives farmers a chance for expedited reviews of conflicts between
communities and agricultural producers.
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ACRE Initiative Signed Into Law
The Agriculture Communities and Rural Environment (ACRE) initiative,
(Act 38 of 2005) passed through the Legislature and Governor Rendell
has signed it into law. The purpose of ACRE is to help resolve
conflicts between communities and agricultural producers.
"Our goal was and remains ensuring agriculture the opportunity
to grow and adapt to business changes and the needs of the community
while protecting the environment. Act 38 helps accomplish that
goal," said Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff.
For more information, visit www.acre.state.pa.us.
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Secretary McGinty Recognizes Contributions of Conservation
Districts
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen
McGinty addressed the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference attendees on
July 25, 2005 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA.
The Secretary thanked several district representatives
personally. Among them were Greg Phillips, Manager (Westmoreland) who
was praised for the district's environmental education center. Ron Rohall,
Director (Westmoreland) was thanked for his leadership in funding issues
related to acid mine drainage. The Secretary also acknowledged Terra
Dillman, Watershed Specialist (Tioga) and Jim Resh, Manager (Indiana).
She offered enthusiastic congratulations to Delaware County for winning
the national Envirothon competition and thanked Karl Brown of the State
Conservation Commission for awarding scholarships to the Envirothon
winners.
Other topics the Secretary touched on were:
- While Growing Greener I was to fund people such as watershed specialists
(Secretary McGinty did mention that these positions remain a Department
priority), Growing Greener II will direct $90 million to counties
for special county capital environmental projects. Each county will
receive a flat amount based on its classification. While this money
cannot be used for planning, it can be used for infrastructure expenses.
What does this mean for districts? We are not sure yet. According
to DEP, more information on the types of projects that can be funded
will be available when the grant programs are established.
- DEP is interested in a nutrient brokerage system. Send them a proposal
if you have one. A business plan could be developed with Growing Greener
money;
- In the Chesapeake Bay new water quality regulations will increase
the number of regulated farms from 150 to 5,000; and
- There are new requirements for point source pollution.
Finally, Secretary McGinty thanked attendees for their dedication,
commitment, and leadership.
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