PA Environment Digest Blog: Latest DEP Chesapeake Bay Update: DEP Sees Significant Increases In Large Area Farm BMP Implementation

On July 29, DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office reported significant increases in large area farm Best Management Practice implementation within Pennsylvania’s part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Three of these practices--Nutrient Management, Conservation Planning, and Cover Crop Planting--were especially impactful in nutrient load reductions because they covered large areas.

Nutrient Management

Core Nitrogen increased from 322,606 to 533,883 acres, which is an increase of 211,277 acres and a 39.6% increase in implementation from 2020 to 2021.

Core Phosphorus increased from 200,999 to 533,793 acres, with a total increase of 332,794 acres and a 62.3% increase in implementation from 2020 to 2021.

Increases in Core Nitrogen and Core Phosphorus Nutrient Management reporting can be attributed to implementation of the Nutrient and Manure Management Program and Chesapeake Bay Agriculture Inspection Program, as well as training by DEP staff on how to enter plans and document implementation into PracticeKeeper.

Cover Crops

Cover crops increased from 222,177 to 341,524 acres, with a total increase of 119,347 acres and a 34.9% increase in implementation from 2020 to 2021.

Increases in cover crop reporting are attributed to conservation district outreach with farmers to plant cover crops, as well as local cover crop cost-share and statewide REAP tax credit programs. Cover crops are observed and reported through county Capital RC&D Transect Surveys.

Soil and Water Conservation Plans

Soil and Water Conservation Plans increased from 469,574 to 534,968 acres, with a total increase of 65,394 acres and a 12.2% increase in implementation.

Increases in Conservation Plan acres are attributed to conservation district development and tracking of Ag E&S and Conservation Plans, the implementation of the DEP Agriculture Plan Reimbursement Program, Chesapeake Bay Ag Inspection Program, and training by DEP staff on entering plans and document implementation into PracticeKeeper.

DEP is greatly appreciative of the work that Pennsylvania’s Conservation District and NRCS field staff, crop advisors, technical assistance providers, and landowners do in getting and keeping conservation practices up and running.

None of our progress and the story of our success could be told without their hard work.

Other Updates

Other updates on Chesapeake Bay-related activities in the latest update newsletter include--

-- DEP Submits Final Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan To EPA

-- Gov. Wolf Signs Turfgrass Fertilizer Bill

-- DCNR Expected To Receive $3 Million In EPA Most Effective Basin Funds

-- Penn State Holds Ag Progress Days Aug. 9-11

-- USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities Newsletter Released

-- PA Conservation Districts Open Registration For Conservation Planning Course

-- 86 Nonpoint Source Pollution Mini-Grant Projects Completed By Conservation Districts

-- The GIANT Company, KPB Award 45 Healing The Planet Grants

-- Quick List Of Financial Assistance Programs Accepting Applications

-- Updates from counties implementing Clean Water Action Plans

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Office hiring more staff to support local partners

Click Here to read the entire DEP Chesapeake Bay Office Update. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

(Photo: Chester County Conservation District completes planting multi-functional forest buffer.)

NewsClips:

-- StateImpactPA: What To Know About DEP’s Newest Plan To Reduce Pollution To The Chesapeake Bay

-- Bay Journal - Ad Crable: PA Poultry Company Settles Water Pollution Suit For $1 Million

-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture: Farmer Climate Story: Thistle Creek Farms, Huntingdon County

-- Manada Conservancy: Kohler Family Farm - A Farm Preserving A Legacy In Dauphin County

-- WLVT: Rodale Institute Will Invest $3 Million PA Grant To Build Organic Farming Research Center

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair Conservation District Hosting Free Rain Barrel Giveaway July 28

-- Erie Times: Flower Farmers Seed A Growing Backyard Industry In Erie, NW PA

-- Help Wanted: PASA Sustainable Agriculture Is Hiring Staff & Interns!