More than half of the state lies within the watershed. Pennsylvania contains two major Bay watersheds: the Potomac, with 1,600 square miles; and the Susquehanna, with 21,000 square miles. Together, they total 40% of the entire watershed.

REAP: What Are People Saying?

Overview | 10 Things To Know | Project Examples
 Supporters |What Are People Saying?

People throughout the Commonwealth are talking about the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP). REAP will provide transferable state tax credits to farmers or businesses for funding conservation practices on farms.

Find out what people are saying about REAP by reading the quotes below or downloading our list of REAP quotes. To add your thoughts, please contact Kim Patten at (717) 234-5550 or kpatten@cbf.org.

"Our farmers are more than willing to implement environmental conservation practices, and often do, they just need some financial assistance to help them afford the equipment and tools needed to make these improvements possible."
-Rep. Jerry Stern, prime sponsor of HB 100 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

"Our exposure to farms has helped us see, as CBF has, that the best protection for the Bay will be to help farmers stay financially healthy as they improve their environmental management practices."
- George Houget, Director, Mid-Atlantic Operations, NativeEnergy, LLC

“In addition to preserving farmland to keep it open and available for agriculture, Lancaster Farmland Trust recognizes that the conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural resources is vital for maintaining the agricultural integrity of the region. The REAP legislation will be an extremely valuable alternative for farmers to improve their environmental stewardship while protecting water quality.”
- Peter A. Olmsted, Land Preservation Coordinator, Lancaster Farmland Trust

"We believe that REAP has the potential to stimulate vital public/private sector investment in environmental stewardship that will also help preserve production agriculture in Pennsylvania." - Carl Shaffer, President, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

"Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna, Inc. and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper believe strongly in supporting family farms and believe REAP will remove the financial burden of doing the right thing for all of the users of the waters of the Commonwealth and Chesapeake Bay."
- Michael R Helfrich, Lower Susquehanna RIVERKEEPER®

"REAP is an innovative funding program that addresses a major water quality challenge in the Commonwealth: non-point pollution. This tool will help us to improve water quality throughout the state while supporting Pennsylvania agriculture." - Brian Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pennsylvania Environmental Council

"Our best chance for success in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay is to encourage private/public partnerships. REAP can only add to Pennsylvania’s existing water quality improvement efforts by creating an additional revenue stream from the business sector."
- Mark Gutshall, President, LandStudies, Inc.

“The PA State Grange supports the REAP proposal. Although many of our small farmers do not have large tax liabilities, under this plan they can still benefit by selling any tax credits they generate through conservation practices. We support any proposal that will put more income in the pockets of our farmers.”
- Betsy Huber, Pennsylvania State Grange

“The REAP Act is an innovative program that will help farmers finance the installation of Best Management Practices at their farms.”
- Jean M Zentz, Vice President, TeamAg, Inc.

“Many farmers are willing to implement recommended BMPs but with their severe budget constraints cannot do so. The REAP Program provides the financial incentive for those interested farmers.”
- John Hoekstra, Director of Watershed Advocacy, Green Valleys Association



“Pennsylvania’s number one industry can also be the environment’s number one ally. REAP gives new dollars to farmers who take action to protect our environment. This approach ensures our farms remain profitable and gives us vital allies in our work to protect water quality in the Commonwealth.”
- Michael J. Fedor, Executive Director, Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters


“The proposed REAP legislation combines environmental stewardship with economic common sense. It will be a win-win for the Pennsylvania agricultural industry and the waters of the Commonwealth.”
- Peter Hughes, President, Red Barn, Inc.

"REAP is a key component to improving water quality throughout the Commonwealth. The tax credits make it possible for the farming community to remain profitable and protect our watersheds and our environment. REAP will allow landowners to become better stewards of the land and streams. Good farming practices, with good riparian buffers produce clean water and quality stream environments." - Ronald Heuston, President, Muddy Creek Trout Unlimited