Water Planning Act Launched (Continued from Page A 24) To get a better picture of the state’s water needs and to avoid future fights over water, secretar ies Wolff and McGinty urged all farmers to register their water even those using less than 10,000 gallons per day. “This is about finding out which areas have critical water needs so we can make sure we have the best system in place for resource management and con servation,” Wolff said. “Act 220 will certainly benefit farmers in case a shortage of water occurs,” he said. “Many people might think the drought is over with all the rains we’ve had this past year, but if you look at the past 10 years, we’re in a water deficit.” McGinty said DEP will use Act 220 for water resources plan ning only. The Act does not es tablish water allocation or with MRI - At Affordab Most: togjwtHces Accepted Open MRI • Most experienced Radiologists in the area • Friendly professional • Reports to your • We accept $475. for a normal stut It's Worth The drawal requirements, and does not give DEP authority to regu late, control, or require permits for water withdrawal. It also pro hibits any requirements for me tering homeowner wells. According to McGinty, local officials will be able to use the in formation gathered under Act 220 to consider how much water is being used and how much is still available, and limit develop ment before water use and water quality conflicts arise. “When that tug and pull over water resources comes to push and shove and it will,” McGin ty said, “ ... water will be safe guarded for the use of agricul ture.” Stan Brown first came to the farm here in 1948. Brown, his wife Nona, and their son Scott and his family own and manage the orchard and farm market. They grow about 125 acres of tree fruits and 50 acres of other Call 8 AM - 5 PM M-F produce, including sweet com and pumpkins. Neighboring fanners provide much of the pro duce sold in the store. Beside homegrown fruit and local produce, the diversified market also includes a large baked goods section, a deli, gift shop, and children’s section. Stan said the operation draws water from two spring- and run off-fed ponds for some irrigation purposes, but the supply is limited. “We cannot irrigate most of our lands,” he said. This year’s plentiful rainfall helped produce a crop of big, solid apples. “That’s what the water did,” Brown said of the good crop. The apples weathered Tropical Storm Isabel fairly well, though many leaning trees need to be straight ened. from the effect of the storm winds. “Working together, we can preserve this precious com modity (water) for generations to come,” Brown said, speaking in support of Act 220. Ag organizations support ing Act 220 include the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, PennAg Industries, Pennsyl vania Vegetable Growers As sociation, Pennsylvania Farmers Union, Pennsylva nia Landscape and Nursery Association, Pennsylvania Grange, and Wenger Feeds. A statewide water re sources committee has been created under Act 220 to oversee the water plan. The Act also creates six regional committees, made up of busi ness, agriculture, local gov ernment, and environmental representatives. According to a DEP fact sheet, the state’s water plan had not been updated for more than 25 years prior to Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 11,2003-A25 Leaders of Pennsylvania’s departments of agriculture and environmental protection meet at Brown’s Orchard and Farm Market this week to help launch a new water plan for the state. Pictured here at wall mural in the store are, from left, Dennis Wolff, ag secretary; Stan Brown; and Kathleen McGinty, DEP secretary. Photos by Dave Le fever Act 220. The old plan fails to use in Pennsylvania is about 10 identify which areas have critical billion gallons per day. water needs, according to the fact For more informatioilj or to S Slice 1900, residential use of download registration forms, visit water has increased from 5 gal- the Pennsylvania Power Port at lons to 62 gallons per person per www.state.pa.us, keyword: “DEP day. DEP estimates total water Water Management.” “That’s what the water did.” This year’s plentiful rain fall helped produce a crop of big, solid apples at Brown’s Orchard and Farm Market. 1 » ! I': We are looking for quality milk producers in your area. Parmalat is an international leader in the dairy business, with the largest independent farm base in the Northeast Parmalat offers: Exceptional Premium Programs Excellent Quality Programs Superior Field Staff Representation Quality Milk Haulers For more information on Parmalat or to speak with a representative call: (800) 631-7739 Ext. 1287 - Parmalat - The home of the independent minded producer. Jessica
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