Environment Virginia Calls for a New Direction on Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Richmond, VA – In response
to recent comments from the Virginia Farm Bureau about the cost of Chesapeake Bay cleanup, the conservation organization
Environment Virginia released data on the financial incentives for farmers within
proposed bay restoration legislation while calling for a new direction in
cleanup efforts.
“We have the opportunity
to take a new direction in bay restoration efforts,” said Environment Virginia
Advocate J.R. Tolbert. “After 25 years
of unmet goals, and lax enforcement on pollution standards the federal
government is serious about restoring the health of the Chesapeake
Bay.”
Environment Virginia pointed out
that there are many economic benefits provided to the industry in the
Chesapeake Clean Water and Ecosystem Restoration Act.
Virginia farmers are eligible for $26 million in
technical assistance grants to implement clean water strategies. This funding will help farmers institute
best management practices such as cover crops, riparian buffers and
nutrient management plans.
A nutrient trading program which will award
innovations in practices to reduce fertilizer, manure and sediment
pollution.
US Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack
has identified $638 million to be used by farmers in the Chesapeake
Bay region to reduce runoff and meet reduction goals set
through the new legislation.
“By arguing against this
legislation, the Virginia Farm Bureau is calling for more of the same. The same failed policies that have created a
dead zone that takes up one-third of the bay, depleted crab and oyster
habitats, and wrecked the local fishing economy. We believe it is time for a new way forward,
where everyone reduces their pollution,” concluded Tolbert.
