DlB-Lancaster Farming Saturday, December 16,1989 Water Quality (Continued from Page Dl7) and pesticides. The incidence of contamination is a function of fanning practices and physical factors, which vary considerably by region. National level. The magnitude of agriculture’s contribution to water pollution has been well documented. In the 1987 National Water Quality Inventory con ducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 47 states iden tified agriculture as the largest source of nonpoint source pollut ants. We have learned that: • Cropland is the major source of sediment, and causes estimated annual damages of more than $7 billion from siltation of navigable waterways, water storage facili ties, drainage ditches, irrigation canals, and water-based recrea tional opportunities. • Agricultural runoff contri butes one-fourth of total nutrient loadings and 40 percent of total sediment entering 78 major estu arine systems in the U.S. High rates of agricultural pesticide runoff have been found in 21 of the 78 estuaries, the major sources of our commercial fisheries. • The Environmental Protection ChafiTee U N e Y 16 i4030 Phone CoUect 716-496-6025 BELT BUSTERS" save on Flat Belts for Your Farm y Machinery! We Will Make the y Belt You Need and Ship Same Day by U.P.S. - We’re Fast! ★ Bale Thrower Belts ★ Round Baler ★ Harvesting Machines Like Bean, Cherry, Grape, Etc. ★ Forage Box Belts for Gehl, Grove Hasten, New Idea, Etc. Q B e i£ S at: Former prices SORRY. NO V-BELTS Agricultural Belt Service (Former Division of Bob Gabel Betting) Rt. 16, Chaffee, New York 14030 PHONE 716-337-BELT Agency reports finding 77 diffe rent pesticides in groundwater in 39 states. Pennsylvania Level Available evidence indicates that agriculture is a significant nonpoint source of surface and groundwater pollution. In a state assessment of nonpoint sources required by the 1987 Clean Water Act amendments, Pennsylvania state officials ranked agricultural activities second behind acid mine drainage among nonpoint sources of surface water contamination. A review of available data reveals that* • Every year an estimated 24,600 tons of nitrogen and 616 tons of phosphorus from Pennsyl vania farms enter the Chesapeake Bay. Agricultural activities on Pennsylvania farms located in the Susquehanna River Basin arc esti mated to contribute 81 percent of the nitrogen and SO percent of the phosphorus entering the bay from both point and controllable non point sources. • Six agricultural pesticides including alachlor, atrazine, cya nozine, metolachlor, propazine, and simazine, have been found in groundwater in Pennsylvania. • One-quarter of Pennsylvania counties have underground water supplies with a high potential for contamination from both agricul tural pesticides and nitrates. Most of these counties are located in the southeastern and south-central portions of the state. Research, education and technical assistance One component of the 1985 Food Security Act, the Low Input Sustainable Agriculture program (LISA), is likely to receive greater attention. In December 1987, Congress appropriated $3.9 mil lion for public and private research and educational efforts that promote the development of low-input farming methods and their adoption by farmers. The program aims to develop and encourage adoption of farming practices using fewer off-farm inputs to reduce environmental and human health impacts without adversely affecting yields. The farm bill could expand LISA funding or increase the program’s education and technical assistance components. Propo nents of LISA argue that expanded research and education al efforts to develop and promote such farming will have greater impact on water quality and be more cost effective than other pol icy options for addressing water EXPERT REPAIRS jGk :“£ RS • ALTERNATORS I t- j • ELECTRIC BATTERY CHARGERS PEQUEA BATTERIES Ronks, pa THE THE ■ Poured Solid Reinforced W ■ The Wall is 0 as the Materii • Manure Pit Walls • Hog House Walls • Chicken House Wal • Concrete Decks • House Foundation • Cistern Walls • Barnyard Walls • Concrete Pit Tops • Silage Pit Walls • Retaining Walls All sizes available Round or rectangular Take the questions out of your new construction Call: Balmer Bros, for quality engineered walls. Invest in Quality - It will last a lifetime. quality degradation. Others ack nowledge the opportunities for cost savings through reduced input use and greater manage- ment, but they do not believe the incentives are sufficient to encour age enough adoption by farmers to significantly reduce water quality problems caused by agriculture. Conclusions Agricultural sources of water quality degradation have emerged as a major public issue at the national level and in many states. Farm and nonfarm interests are concerned about water quality. Findings from the growing num ber of water quality monitoring efforts are likely to increase public concern about agricultural activi ties that have the potential for degrading water quality. As con cerns and pressures for solutions increase, it appears certain that Andy Mast, a first year member of the Twin Valley FFA, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mast of Elvetson, captured first place in the recent Berks County FFA field com quality contest. Andy-also had the first place grass hay. In the field com contest, Andy’s com placed fifth. The same evening first and sec ond year members competed in the chapter and Greenhand FFA quiz contests. In the chapter con test for second year members. Margaret Yarmush captured first STRENGTH IS IN CONSTRUCTION CONCRETE WORK, INC. 243 Miller Road, Akron. PA 17501 (717) 733-0353,6:30 AM - 3:30 PM, (717) 859-2074, After 6:00 PM Twin Valley FFA SSI MONTEREY SHOP i ~ ] Residential Wood Doors GaraClO DOOfS & Commercial Wood Raised Panel Steel EleCtnC OpGratOFS Commercial Steel Insulated ft Non-insulated # Sal Aft 196 MONTEREY ROAD . service BIRD-IN-HAND, . installation PA 17505 (717) 656-0513 these water quality problems will be addressed by government decision-makers in the next few years. Perhaps the most critical ques tion for farming and environmen tal interests is who will influence and make decisions concerning water pollution from agricultural sources. Water quality issues have been placed on the agenda for legislative committees charged with developing the 1990 farm bill. If the major water quality concerns are not adequately addressed in the farm bill, they will be moved to the agendas of other nonagricultural legislative committees or agencies at the fed eral and state levels. Thus, agri cultural interests have a great deal at stake in the debate over ways for addressing water quality con cerns in the 1990 farm bill. place. Margaret won on a tie breaker over fellow Twin Valley member Erica Hess. Margaret is the daughter of Stanley Yarmush of RD 2 Elverson. Erica is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Dou glas Hess of RD 3 Mohnton. In the Giecnhand contest for Erst year members, Andy Mast captured fourth place, Ryan Marshal seventh place, Mike Kurtz tenth and Bob Sauder eleventh. Mem bers were quizzed on their know ledge of FFA history and ceremonies.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers