Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Joseph Chisholm, December 24, 2003

STATE OF MARYLAND OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR December 24, 2003 ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. GOVERNOR STATE HOUSE 100 STATE CIRCLE ANNAPOLIS. MARYLAND 21401 (410) 974-3901 (TOLL FREE) 1-800-811-8336 TTY USERS CALL VIA MD RELAY Mr. Joseph Chisholm Chairman Governor’s Poultry Issues Action Team 600 Linden Avenue Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851 Dear Mr. Chisholm: Thank you for your service on the Poultry Issues Action Team. The hard work of your team is greatly appreciated by this Administration as we continue our commitment to ensure a future for farmers in Maryland. A strong agricultural industry is central to the health of the state’s overall economy. It is also essential for Maryland’s environmental health, with farmers being key stewards of the land. I am pleased to inform you that my Administration will announce a series of actions based upon your recommendations. Although fiscal responsibilities limit which recommendations can be implemented, I embrace the philosophy of encouraging the economic health of the state’s vital poultry industry. I have already taken action to address competition between State conservation programs and agricultural production. Many concerned farmers have told me that the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has had a deleterious effect by encouraging much larger riparian buffers than are necessary to enhance water quality. Secretary of Agriculture, Lewis Riley, and Secretary of Natural Resources, Ron Franks, have crafted changes to CREP which focus incentives on areas providing the most water quality benefits while maintaining productive land for farming. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is in the final stages of approving these changes. "TV My Administration is also committed to partnering with Maryland farmers and - county governments to ensure a productive base of farmland for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. While we are restructuring Maryland’s preservation efforts to make them more effective and fiscally responsible, be assured that the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation will continue to be a strong force for preserving farmland. This year, Maryland provided more than $21 million in state bonds to farmland preservation. These bonds, combined with Federal funds and matching funds from local governments, were used to make easement offers to 123