New Resources for Managing Poo Amanda Gumbert Water Quality Specialist UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment/KY Division of Conservation October 27, 2015
Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone
2015: 6,474 sq. miles (4.1m acres/size of Connecticut + Rhode Island)
80% P and 71% N coming from agriculture http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/gulf_findings 80% P and 71% N coming from agriculture
What’s Going On In Kentucky?
Current Situation 90,000+ miles streams and rivers in KY Agriculture is the leading source of stream impairments in KY (KEEC, 2012) Affecting 46% of impaired streams
Why Should I Care About Water Quality? Clean water is better for me
Why Should I Care About Water Quality? Photo credit: http://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/images/uploads/Homeowner/water%20testing/drinking%20glass%20of%20water.jpg
Why Should I Care About Water Quality? Clean water is better for me Clean water is better for my livestock
Why Should I Care About Water Quality?
Why Should I Care About Water Quality? Clean water is better for me Clean water is better for my livestock Harmful Algal Blooms Costs money to treat May result in my water system being shut down (Toledo, OH)
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Localized incentive to restrict livestock access from water bodies, manage nutrients
How Do We Manage Poo in Kentucky?
Agriculture Water Quality Plans
KY Agriculture Water Quality Act 10+ acres in agriculture or forestry must develop a water quality plan Plan includes Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality Livestock Crops Pesticides and Fertilizers Farmstead Forestry Streams and Other Waters
How Do Farmers Develop a Plan? Use a web-based tool: www.ca.uky.edu/awqa 2. Use a printed document 3. Get assistance from local Conservation District Also extension programs can help guide producers
Nutrient Management Plans -Nutrients generated - Crops grown plus -Existing soil fertility - Without overloading soils
Cost Share and Financial Assistance Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program (State cost share) GOAP County Ag Investment Program (CAIP) NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Cost Share and Financial Assistance NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Managing Poo Project $4 million to put conservation practices on the ground Livestock operations Nearing regulatory compliance enforcement Referral process Contact Amanda Gumbert (Amanda.Gumbert@uky.edu) or Steve Higgins (shiggins@uky.edu)
Associated Issues Help for farmers Conservation District staff Nutrient Management Planner Macy Fawns (macy.fawns@uky.edu)
Questions?
Amanda Gumbert amanda.gumbert@uky.edu Water Quality Liaison UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment/KY Division of Conservation