Environmental Group Reports Ag Is Key to Bay Cleanup

CHARLENE M. SHUPP ESPENSHADE
Special Sections Editor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Environmental Defense said in its latest report, Farming for Clean Water, agriculture has an important role to play in the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. While the group recognizes the past accomplishments of the bay states, it says more work has to be done to focus on more cost-effective, higher result-yielding methods.

“The Chesapeake Bay is in critical condition, but we can take steps to restore its health by cleaning it up faster and more cost-effectively than we are now,” said Suzy Friedman, a report co-author. “Farms are the largest and the most indispensable part of the solution. We must help farmers, who already are taking steps to help the bay, deliver even greater benefits.”

Agriculture is the focus, co-author Eileen McLean said, because the solutions for agricultural challenges are much more cost-effective compared to the waste water, industrial and residential problems.

Less than one week from the Chesapeake Executive Council’s annual meeting, Friedman and McLean said the bay states are still a long way from reaching the reduction goals needed by 2010. However, while most agree the deadline will be missed, the states should remain focused and redouble their efforts.

“We are excited about the report because this report is different. We took a proactive approach to improvement,” said McLean.

The limiting factor to farmer participation is cost share and technical assistance. Friedman said to achieve the 2010 goals, the states need to spend a total of $6 billion. To date, only $1.8 billion has been spent. The program has also only achieved 40 percent of its reduction goals.

Assuming states even had $4 billion to spend, said Friedman said it is important for states to search for alternatives that are less expensive, market-based or faster to install.

Ultimately, McLean said, the quickest and best way to encourage adoption is through economic value. The best practices will be the ones that pay for themselves. She also said now is the time to look for innovative practices.

While not included in the study, Friedman said Pennsylvania’s recently enacted REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) program is an example of an innovative program. “REAP is an exciting opportunity,” she said. REAP utilizes a tax credit program to offset costs for the installation of best management practices (BMPs) on farms.

Some of the suggestions laid out in the report include targeting funds and attention to conservation practices that have proven most cost-effective in reducing farm runoff; making traditional conservation practices — such as nutrient management, conservation tillage, and cover crops — more effective by shifting emphasis to performance and outcomes, and by finding ways to make practices pay for themselves; increasing research and education on practices such as dairy feed management and alternative cropping systems; increasing technical assistance resources for farmers, and creating market-based financial rewards for farmers who produce clean water and other environmental benefits.

“We have a long way to go, but we can restore the bay — if we fundamentally change how we fund, deliver, credit and verify agricultural conservation,” said McLean.

The full report, a summary, and state-by-state information for the Chesapeake Bay watershed states (Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia) are available at www.environmentaldefense.org/chesapeakebay.