"Best management practice." A practice or combination of
practices determined by the State Conservation Commission or
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources and
Conservation Service to be effective and practical, considering
technological, economic and institutional factors, to manage
nutrients and sediment to protect surface water and groundwater.
"Commission." The State Conservation Commission established
under section 4 of the act of May 15, 1945 (P.L.547, No.217),
known as the Conservation District Law.
"Program." The Conservation Excellence Grant Program
established under section 3102 (relating to establishment).
"USDA-NRCS." The United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources and Conservation Service.
§ 3102. Establishment.
The Conservation Excellence Grant Program is established
within the commission.
§ 3103. Administration of program.
The commission shall administer the program for the purpose
of providing technical and financial assistance for the
implementation of best management practice projects on
agricultural operations in high-priority locations within this
Commonwealth through grants, loans and tax credits , or a
combination of all three, as authorized under section 4(7) of
the act of May 15, 1945 (P.L.547, No.217), known as the
Conservation District Law.
§ 3104. Application guidelines.
The commission shall establish guidelines for the approval of
applications for eligible projects under the program.
§ 3105. Grants, loans and tax credits.
(a) Awards.--The commission may award grants or loans or
request that the Department of Revenue issue tax credits to
applicants for eligible projects , including costs incurred to
satisfy the certification requirements of section 3106 (relating
to project certification), that the commission determines will
further the purpose of the program.
(b) Grants.--Grants shall be awarded to the extent funding
is made available by the General Assembly.
(c) Loans.--Loans under this section may be awarded through
the Agriculture-Linked Investment Program or any other loan
program approved by the commission.
(d) Tax credits.--Tax credits under this section may be
awarded through the Resource Enhancement and Protection Tax
Credit Program under Article XVII-E of the act of March 4, 1971
(P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
§ 3106. Project certification.
The commission shall ensure that a project satisfies the
requirements of the program in accordance with the following:
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), if a
project's best management practice requires review and
certification by a registered professional engineer under the
applicable laws or regulations of this Commonwealth, the best
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