The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a 2011 report on its activities.
The NRCS assists landowners with projects to help better soil, water, air quality, plants and animals.
One of the toughest challenges farmers face is complying with federal standards for soil and water qualities, said Perry County conservation manager Todd Brajkovich.
Because Pennsylvania is home to the largest part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, farmers must shell out large sums of money to stay compliant. Brajkovich said farmers will have to fork over $30 million to $50 million over the next 20 years to keep up with regulations.
“It’s an unrealistic goal we’re finding,” he said.
He commended farmers on the great conservation work over the past several years. Most farmers in Perry County are compliant with the state regulations.
Brajkovich said there has been a decline in water pollutants across the state. He feels it’s due to the regulations placed on urban areas.
The official report said NRCS wrote 56 conservation plans on 3,973 acres and scheduled conservation was applied on 2,292 acres.
The report also noted:
Installations in 2011 — 10,683 feet of fence; 745 feet of animal walkways; three stream crossings; 142 acres of forage planting; 363 acres of forage harvest management; two water wells; 6,200 feet of pipeline; six watering facilities; 141 acres of prescribed grazing implemented.
Also, three acres of grassed waterway were installed, as well as 3,020 feet of lined waterway; 1,700 feet of terraces; 2,707 feet of subsurface drainage to support other practices; 14 acres of upland habitat managed for wildlife; six structures for water control; 605 feet of underground outlets; 954 acres of no-till; nine acres of minimum tillage and 3,584 square feet of high tunnel systems for crops.
The NRCS provided assistance with nutrient management for 97 acres, and with installation of a waste storage facility, two pumping plants, three waste transfer lines and one roof runoff management application.
Facts and figures were provided by the NRCS office in New Bloomfield.