HARRISBURG, Pa., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- PA Governor Edward G. Rendell today was pleased with the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold a veto of House Bill 1222. The Governor vetoed the bill on December 31, 2003 because the proposed legislation did not represent the best interests of the state's residents, particularly in the agricultural community.

"I am pleased that the state Supreme Court upheld my veto of House Bill 1222," said Governor Rendell. "House Bill 1222 lacked several important elements in sustaining our agriculture vitality while addressing the quality of life concerns of our residents. Although I fully supported the goals of the legislation, I felt that it failed to address complex nutrient management issues that would balance the business interests of the agriculture community and legitimate concerns of their impact on the environment.

"Realizing a need for some type of legislation to fully address the state's nutrient management regulations, I directed Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty and Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff to meet with leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and begin work on a comprehensive and progressive plan that would create a win-win situation for municipal leaders, farmers and residents, bringing all parties together."

In August 2004, the Agriculture Communities and Rural Environmental Initiatives (ACRE) was unveiled. This proposal, a combination of regulatory and legislative changes, included new farm-management regulations substantially broader than federal regulations, encompassed more farms and farm types, and would put in place some of the most comprehensive environmental protections in the nation. ACRE would also make Pennsylvania one of the first states to require odor mitigation. This plan would balance the needs of farmers with the quality of life concerns of residents as well as the need to preserve the state's rustic environment.

ACRE would also create a five-member Agriculture Review Board charged with hearing the concerns of local governments, farmers and residents on the legality of certain ordinances under state laws. These would include the Right to Know Farm Act and the Nutrient Management Act. The board would include the state secretaries of Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Community and Economic Development; the Dean of Pennsylvania State University's School of Agricultural Sciences; and a member appointed by the Governor.

"ACRE encourages negotiation as opposed to litigation, enhancing this state's reputation as a leader in agricultural and environmental stewardship," said Governor Rendell. "ACRE is about doing more to protect the environment, giving the state's farmers more tools and technical assistance to reduce odors and improve water quality - both issues that all residents are concerned with. By bringing everyone to the table, we can do more to preserve this state's agricultural heritage."

The Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment legislation will be introduced to the state Legislature this April. For more information on the initiative, visit http://www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "DEP CAFOs."

CONTACT: Kate Philips
717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

03/30/2005 18:01 ET