HARRISBURG—The $50 million for the Clean Streams Fund (CSF) included in the Governor Josh Shapiro’s $51.5 billion General Fund budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 unveiled today would mean Pennsylvania farms have more projects on the ground that reduce pollution to local rivers and streams.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) praised inclusion of $50 million in recurring budget investments for the CSF, which funds the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program(ACAP). Cost-share investments through ACAP are passed through conservation districts, providing financial and technical assistance for local agricultural projects that reduce pollution.
Of the $50 million included in the Governor’s budget proposal for 2025-26, the CSF allocates 71.5 percent to ACAP.
Initially in 2024, Senator Scott Martin and Senator Gene Yaw included $50 million from personal income taxes in the tax code as new annual funding each August for the CSF. The fund tackles the top three sources of stream impairment in the Commonwealth: some agricultural activities, acid mine drainage, and urban/suburban stormwater runoff.
The design of the legislation that created ACAP was a collaborative effort between CBF, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. The CSF and ACAP were introduced by Senator Yaw.
The budget proposal also provides $615,000 to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize clean water by providing guidance, direction, and advisement on agricultural-related runoff to meet the standards in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This funding will allow DEP to serve the public more effectively and bolster capacity to help farmers and conservation districts navigate federal and state funding programs.
CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall issued this statement:
“The $50 million in the Governor’s proposed budget for the Clean Streams Fund and Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program reaffirms the commitment of our elected leaders to creating a legacy of clean water, healthy soils, and resilient communities for future generations.
“Governor Shapiro’s words echoed through the Chesapeake Bay watershed last year when he said: ‘We are making sure Pennsylvania does its fair share. You have my commitment that this work will continue. Pennsylvania is all in.’
“ACAP is working to reduce pollution to our local waters.
“According to the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, which administers ACAP, $141 million has been committed to 66 county conservation districts and Philadelphia. Roughly $109 million has been under signed contract with farmers and committed to 1,227 projects.
“Farmers appreciate the value and importance of keeping soil and nutrients on the land instead of running off into the water. With support from the ACAP, they don’t have to implement needed measures on their own.”
