1. Enhancing Denitrification in Rural Streams:Washington County Joshua Cockroft Johanna Nifosi Robert Johnson Geldar Matungwa Louise Yazzie

2. Washington County has Agriculture, Forest and Urban Land Use

3. Washington County is Largely Agriculture County Ordinance Agriculture accounts for 114,065 acres in 2007 Located in the Upper Potomac

4. Nitrogen Content is Directly Related to Agriculture Nitrogen Loads and Concentration Land Use Only Nitrogen Loads and Concentration with Land Use

5. Types of Permits for N mitigation measures General permits Individual permits

6. Federal and State Agency Roles on Wetland Permits US. Army Corp of Engineers US. Environmental Protection Agency National Marine Fisheries Service Maryland Department of the Environment Maryland Department of Natural Resources

7. Three Creeks with High Levels of Nitrogen Load and Concentration Meadow Brook Troupe Run Little Conocheague Creek

8. Legume Cover Crops Reduce N Fertilizer Use Cover CropN replacement values (kg/hectare) Hairy vetch80-89 Hairy vetch170 Winter legume64-69 Hairy vetch110 Crimson clover88 Winter legume75

9. Additional Benefits of Cover Crops Herbicide reduction Reduction in insect and nematode control costs Protection of ground water Increased water infiltration Increased soil health.

10. Maryland Government Supports Water Quality Programs in Washington County The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share program (1984) provides grants. $257,648 given to the winter cover crop program in Washington County. 5,786 acres of the county planted cover crops in 2008-2009.

11. Cover Crops Significantly Reduce Nitrogen Load Majority of crops in Washington County in 2007 were Corn and Wheat In studies, corn/wheat combo found 76% reduction Significant potential decrease in nitrogen loads, but not below 10,000 kg/m 3 *yr

12. Floating Wetlands denitrifies

13. Contain nutrient consuming wetland plants, they host a nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria on their roots that grow down through the water column. 47% nitrogen removal in agro lands. Low cost Need between 9-13 mats in 1 creek Troupe Run Little Conococheage Meadow Brook Width4.84.62.8 Nitrogen Load268514997455997 Removal 1st mat12673.67223587.72826430.58 Removal 2st mat5981.9731811133.4076212475.24 Removal 3st mat2823.491345254.9683955888.311 Removal 4st mat1332.687912480.3450822779.283 Total Mats Required to Reduce to <10,000 kg/yr9.613.88.4 Floating Wetlands also significantly decrease nitrogen loads

14. Pros/Cons of Cover Crops Pros – Cover crop program already in place – Increased benefits for farmers – Privately run and operated Cons – Not as efficient – Costs for Farmers to plant – Cover crop program appears to have had not had significant reduction in loads since inception

15. Pros/Cons of Floating Wetlands Pros – Low Cost – More Efficient – Not on farmland Cons – Regulation Permits – Program not in place

16. References Maryland Department of Agriculture.2009. Providing grants to help farmers. Accessed from http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/macsbrochure 07.pdf http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/macsbrochure 07.pdf Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Sharing program. 2009 Annual report. Accessed on Nov 6, 2010 from http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/macsar09.pdf http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/macsar09.pdf Washington County Government. 2010. Accessed on Nov 6 2010 from http://www.washco- md.net/washco.shtmhttp://www.washco- md.net/washco.shtm