A3B-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 22, 2000 HARRISBURG, (Dauphin Co.) Earth Day 2000 finds USDA agencies in Pennsylvania doing their part to preserve and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay through more than $192 million in projects, programs, and practices specifi cally within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania during the last seven years. While representing just a por tion of each agency’s work throughout the state, their ef forts help to install or improve water and wastewater disposal systems in rural Pennsylvania and help farmers install conser vation practices which prevent erosion run-off and nutrients from polluting streams going into the bay. Agencies of the USD A work with farmers, landowners, and communities to protect and con serve the resources as well as im prove the quality of life for rural Pennsylvanians. Earth Day is an excellent op portunity to highlight the work we have been doing to improve rural communities, water qual ity, aquatic habitat, and recre ational opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay, according to Cook, rural development state director; Bill Baumgartner; Farm Service Agency, state ex ecutive director; and Janet Oertly, Natural Resources Con servation Service, state conser vationist. Rural Development (RD), through its Rural Utilities Ser USD A Releases Pesticide WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Department of Agricul ture’s Agricultural Marketing Service today released its “Pesti cide Data Program: Annual Summary, Calendar Year 1998.” The program provides statistically reliable data on pes ticide residues detected in se lected foods. The Environmental Protec tion Agency (EPA) uses Pesti cide Data Program (PDP) information to assess dietary ex posure to pesticide residues. EPA analyzes exposure to in fants and children as well as other sensitive populations as required by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). PDP data are also used to reevaluate tolerances to support the new FQPA pesticide reregistration requirements. USDA uses PDP data to support the export of American products in an ex panding competitive global market and to review good agri cultural practices with respect to pest management issues. In 1998, PDF analyzed a total of 8,500 samples. These samples were collected as close to the point of consumption as possi ble. Foods analyzed in 1998 in cluded six fresh fruits and vegetables, seven processed fruits and vegetables, milk, soy beans, and corn syrup-food items that are highly consumed by children. These foods were monitored for insecticide, herbi cide, fungicide and growth regu lator residues. PDP also conducted a special survey on single servings of pears. Data from this survey were used by EPA to evaluate acute dietary exposure to pesticides. PDP has analyzed 40 differ ent commodities through 1999, Pa. USDA Helps Save Chesapeake Bay vice, administers a water and wastewater loan and grant pro gram in rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000. Public entities and non profit associations may apply for funding to acquire, con struct, expand and improve rural water supplies and waste disposal systems. RD has funded eight water projects and 42 sewer projects for more than $122 million in grants and loans in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed since 1993. They have additional applications for 12 sewer projects and one water project for more than $33 mil lion. The Rural Utilities Service is coordinating the Water 2000 In itiative, seeking to provide clean, safe, and affordable drinking water to all rural homes by the end of 2000. The community of South Phi lipsburg in Centre County lies within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Their existing wild cat sewer system permitted raw sewage to drain into ditches along the streets contributing to river and stream pollution and potential health hazards for the residents. Borough officials applied to USDA Rural Development for assistance to correct the prob lem. The residents were very concerned about the situation, but were apprehensive about the cost of constructing a new sewage collection system. At a public meeting attended by rep- and is testing peanut butter, poultry, and sweet cherries this year. PDP has begun to reintro duce commodities tested earlier by the program to assess the ef fectiveness of label changes and other mitigation measures re sulting from implementation of FQPA. PDP conducted a special survey on single-servings of apples in 1999 with a special survey on peaches currently underway. Data from these sin gle-servings surveys are being provided to EPA on a continu ing basis. Program activities planned for 2001 include a survey to evaluate potential ex posure to pes- tici d e s through con sumption of drinking water. Fund ing for this survey is in the Presi dent’s Budget for fiscal year 2001. Data collected in 1999 will be released in the next sum mary. Congress approved im plementation of PDP in January 1991 because of the recognized need to im prove the quality and quantity of in formation available on chemical resi- dues in domestically produced and imported IN SEASON Farm Chemicals Flavor-Seal Poly Wrap Treated Fence Posts Yo-Ho Spring Scraper *18.50 Quantity Discounts Available • Hardware • Animal Health • Plumbing • Fencing • Ladders • Farm Supplies ~ earn D & J FARM STORE \ Qujrrvvm. g 5 HeS g Road 3 /till Quarryville, PA 17566 & " ★ Contractors Welcome ★ <s resentatives of Rural Develop ment and DEP, officials explained the negative impact the existing sewer system had on the environment and the health of the residents. One young mother spoke up for her chil dren and all children who might come in contact with the raw sewage, saying it was time for a . change. Borough offi cials agreed to proceed with the new sewer system and their application to Rural Development was approved. The new waste water system now provides safe and sanitary condi tions for this small com munity of more than 400 people. “Quality drinking water is critical to all Pennsylva nians,” said Cheryl Cook, RD state director. “Our ef forts help communities provide clean drinking water to their residents and insure the future of the community. Clean water for communities means Pennsylvania sends clean water to the bay. Summary PDP provides the most comprehensive database available on actual residue levels of pesticides found in the U.S. food supply. Copies of the 1998 PDP Annual Summary can be obtained by writing to the Pesticide Data Branch, Science and Technology, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 8700 Cen treville Road, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20110, by faxing to (703) 369-0678, or calling (703) 330-2300. Farm Credit Members Approve Merger WESTMINSTER, Md. At special meetings between April 6-12, Farm Credit stockholders voted to approve the merger of Central Maryland Farm Credit, Chesapeake Farm Credit, Dela ware Farm Credit, Keystone Farm Credit, and Marva Farm Credit. The new Farm Credit Association will be called Mid Atlantic Farm Credit. More than S 6 percent of the votes cast were in favor of the consolidation. “We are pleased that the membership has supported the board’s initiative to combine these five strong Farm Credit associations,” said Walter Hop kins, chairman of the Mid Atla ntic board of directors. “The vote results are indicative of the unity and support of our mem bership.” The consolidation is expected to be consummated July 1,2000, subject to regulatory approvals.
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