WHAT: The recently approved Pennsylvania budget is a historic win for the state’s waterways and environment. Pennsylvania lawmakers approved spending $220 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to create a new Clean Streams Fund, much of which will provide financial support to Pennsylvania farmers. The Fund will also help Pennsylvania gain momentum in meeting its goals for reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
Agricultural runoff has been a huge contributor to pollution in Pennsylvania’s local waters and the Bay. The Clean Streams Fund will provide $154 million to a new Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program to provide cost-share to farmers, giving them the resources needed to implement on-farm practices that improve farm sustainability and the quality of local streams.
Also passing last week, after 12 years, is the Fertilizer Bill, sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw. The fertilizer bill will establish content limits for bagged do-it-yourself lawn fertilizer, as well as limits and other best practice standards for fertilizer application to turf.
Representatives from EPA, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania delegation will outline the programs and answer media questions in a virtual event.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Link to Virtual Microsoft Teams Event
WHO:
- Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator
- Kyle Kotzmoyer, State and Local Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
- Pa. Senator Gene Yaw (R-23)
- Pa. Senator Scott Martin (R-13)
- Hilary Falk, President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation