Section 83.101. Purpose

(a) The EPA and the Department have determined that excess levels of pollutants, including sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus, are delivered to the Chesapeake Bay via Elk Creek, Potomac River and the Susquehanna River systems. The pollutants result from improper agricultural activities, primarily poor farming methods, mismanaged animal wastes and other activities causing excess soil erosion and runoff. A nonpoint source pollution abatement program initiative by the Commonwealth requires a comprehensive program to encourage better land management practices within the agricultural community. The intention of the Commission is to:

(1) Promote these practices through a comprehensive program to demonstrate new land management techniques.

(2) Foster new land management attitudes.

(3) Furnish technical expertise.

(4) Provide financial assistance to landowners for the installation of BMPs to control nonpoint sources of pollution.

(b) The purpose of the Planning Assistance Funding Program is to:

(1) Provide financial assistance to districts, agencies and cooperating organizations to identify nonpoint pollution sources.

(2) Monitor water quality.

(3) Measure the runoff characteristics of watershed areas.

(4) Design treatment methods for sources of nonpoint pollution.

(c) The purpose of the Educational Assistance Funding Program is to provide financial assistance to districts, agencies and cooperating organizations to accelerate the adoption of and demonstrate the use of soil and water conservation management techniques through educational programs. The goal is to provide information to landowners and the public to foster the need for nutrient management, erosion control and water quality management.

(d) The purpose of the Technical Assistance Funding Program is to provide financial assistance to districts, agencies and cooperating organizations to provide technical planning and other assistance to accelerate the installation of BMPs for landowners for the proper disposal and application of nutrients on land areas that are responsible for nonpoint source pollution.

(e) The purpose of the Financial Assistance Funding Program is to assist landowners with the cost of the installation of BMPs. This cost-share program will be administered by the Commission cooperatively with the districts and the ASCS.

The provisions of this § 83.101 adopted July 4, 1986, effective July 5, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 2404; corrected May 13, 1994, effective February 10, 1990, 24 Pa.B. 2529; amended December 2, 1994, effective December 3, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 5987. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (189750) to (189751).