AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has announced that the Fund to Address PFAS Contamination is accepting applications for assistance from commercial farms impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

The $60 million PFAS Fund was established by Gov. Janet Mills with bipartisan legislative support to provide impacted farmers with financial assistance, purchase contaminated farmland from willing sellers, accelerate research to help inform on-farm management decisions, and support health-related initiatives.

The impact of PFAS on some farms and farm families is not unique to Maine. The practice of applying wastewater residuals to farmland is an approved practice by EPA nationwide. However, because these so-called “forever chemicals” can be taken up into soil, water, livestock, products, and ultimately humans, a robust response from the legislature and state was necessary. The PFAS Fund is a novel effort to specifically address PFAS in agriculture, according to a news release from DACF’s Jim Britt.

The fund will augment DACF’s existing PFAS Response Program, a first-in-the-nation effort to work directly with impacted farmers to navigate the uncertainties of PFAS contamination by providing technical and financial assistance. In many instances, PFAS-impacted farms can modify their operations to operate safely and remain viable; however, assistance is critical to their success.

Commercial farmers who have been impacted by PFAS contamination can now apply for the following expanded suite of financial support programs.

Administrative Cost Grants — A one-time grant intended to partially compensate commercial farms for time spent on activities common to most farms upon the initial discovery of PFAS contamination.

Income Replacement Payments — Commercial farms that have stopped selling some or all products due to PFAS contamination may apply to DACF for up to a total of 24 months of lost income support, adjusted for inflation, while they avail DACF’s technical assistance to determine a viable path forward.

Technical Assistance/Professional Services — Financial support for professional services to help guide recovery efforts (e.g., business planning).

Clean Feed Assistance — Short-term financial support for clean feed when it is necessary for the health and welfare of livestock and when clean feed is not available from the farm.

Equipment and Input Cost Grants — Financial support for equipment and related input costs to allow a commercial farm to convert its operations to accommodate new products and production methods.

Infrastructure Grants — Financial support for infrastructure projects (permanent physical assets and structures) that will help a commercial farm transition to new products and production methods.

Debt Service on Existing Loans — Payments toward loan obligations directly related to farm infrastructure built/installed just prior to the discovery of PFAS contamination.

New Loan Assistance — Financial support for costs associated with obtaining new loans.

Additionally, for commercial farmers who have made the difficult decision to stop farming on their current property due to PFAS contamination, the PFAS Fund may purchase real estate at fair market value as if there were no contamination. Once acquired by the state, these properties will be managed with a long-term goal of returning the land to agricultural production whenever possible.

By the end of 2024, the fund expects to launch additional programs, including a competitive research grant program, a program to cover PFAS blood serum testing costs not covered by insurance, and a program to provide access to mental health services for eligible individuals.

For more information about DACF’s PFAS response and assistance programs visit maine.gov/dacf.

 

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