I found this post on another site I frequent and I was wanting to know if anybody else has heard of this or if this is something to be worried about. It always seems as though once a policy is implemented in one state it spreads to other states.  What are your thoughts on this.  


From a poster named Laura Bow



(I saw something in my local newspaper about a free manure management manual workshop provided by the county's "conservation district" and was curious so I started Googling. What I found floored me. Apparently, on October 29, Pennsylvania implemented new regulations for ANYONE who owns any type of livestock (even just ONE chicken, ANYTHING that generates manure!) OR who uses manure on crops to have a "Manure Management Plan"!! 

Check this stuff out for more information, this is Agenda 21 and how they are going to regulate owning livestock or growing crops!! This will apply to ANYONE who owns livestock, not just large scale farming operations, and the wording is vague enough to cover your own hobby garden if you use manure. You will be in violation of state or possibly federal law if you do not have the management plan filled out and implemented!

They even want you to fill create a map with the layout of your property, and must be able to be given to the Department of Environmental Protection or the local conservation district if they knock on your door!


Every farm in Pennsylvania that land applies manure is required to have some type of a written plan that describes how the manure and other nutrients are managed. This includes manure application by various types of equipment and/or direct application by animals on pastures and in animal concentration areas.

[link to www.snydercounty.org] 


Overview of Manure Management Guidelines for PA Farmers Generating or Using Manure

Who these guidelines pertain to:

A. All farms that generate or use manure, regardless of the size of the farm, including farms that:

Pasture livestock or poultry, or Maintain an Animal Concentration Area (barnyard, exercise lot, or feedlot), or Apply manure to their crop fields


General manure management requirements for farms generating or using manure:
A. Develop a written Manure Management Plan

D. The manure management plan written for these operations does not need to be submitted for review and approval, these plans just need to be retained on site





[link to panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu] 


The Manure Management Plan format in this manual must be used for the written manure management plan unless the farmer gets approval from DEP for an alternative plan format. In addition to developing a written plan, the farmer must also complete and maintain records to demonstrate compliance with the Manure Management Plan. DEP has developed a Manure Management Plan Workbook for farmers to use that contains the forms described in this manual.

Once completed, this Workbook will become the farm’s Manure Management Plan which must be implemented. The staff from DEP or county conservation district may request to see a copy of this plan when they visit a farm. The farmer should also provide a copy of the Manure Management Plan Summary Worksheet to the individual that land applies manure at a farm or on any rented land. Failure to follow the plan is a violation of state, and in some cases, federal law.


The Manure Management Plan format in this manual must be used for the written manure management plan unless the farmer gets approval from DEP for an alternative plan format.



Section 1 - General Information. This section includes general information about the farm. This section is always required in a manure management plan.

Section 2 - Mechanical Manure Application Rate and Timing. This section documents manure application rates and timing for mechanical application of manure. This section is always required in a manure management plan.

Section 3 - Farm Map. This section provides a farm map identifying the location of fields, structures, environmentally sensitive areas and manure application setbacks. This section is always required in a manure management plan.

Section 4 - Recordkeeping. This section provides a description of required recordkeeping and provides forms that can be used for recordkeeping. This section is always required in a manure management plan.




Full PDF, way too much to post, available here - [link to panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu] 



Live in PA and own a horse? This new rule will affect you.

The regulations will be enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection, and are expected to be complaint driven – i.e. if someone complains, the farm will get a visit.

[link to www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com] 



Here's an article to one of the manure management manual workshops:


Milford —

Training on the new Manure Management Manual & Conservation Planning Pennsylvania landowners who own farm animals and livestock are required to develop a plan for the safe disposal of the animal waste. No matter the number of animals you own, you are required to develop a Manure Management Plan, pursuant to Chapter 91 relating to Water Quality.



[link to www.wayneindependent.com] 


The Ag Compliance regulations above are effective statewide. However, if you are in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, you will be receiving an on-farm visit from either conservation district staff or DEP to discuss these requirements with you.These are outreach visits, not enforcement visits, and they are being required as part of the Watershed Implementation Plan which was put in place to meet EPA's demands. Every conservation district that has a Chesapeake Bay technician is required to make 100 on-site farm visits a year, and the end goal is to have visited every farm in the bay by 2017. DEP staff in the bay are also required to do 100 visits in their region each year. These visits are not optional, however, please remember they are for outreach only, they are not for enforcement. The person making the visit is not going to inspect the operation. They will be reviewing the ag compliance requirements and giving out informational packets.


[link to republicanherald.com]  )

JDG,

This is what I know about the whole process called Nutrient Management, as it pertains to PA.

a) My understanding is that the legislation/ rules were set in place in the 1970's that every farm in PA that generates manure needs to have a Manure Management Plan.  Over the years, this regulation was not enforced and ignored, to the point that many people don't realize this regulation has been on the books for years.  I do not know if these regulations are state-mandated, or if they are related to federal regulations.

Back in 2010 (?), EPA officials made a visit to a watershed in Lancaster Co, PA.  It was a small watershed, with about 22 farmers in the watershed.  I believe 21 of those 22 farmers were either Amish or Steel Wheel Mennonites.  One of the reasons that EPA picked this watershed is that it is one of the "trouble areas", with regards to the Cheasapeake Bay.  During their visit, EPA were looking for a couple of things, among them: does each farmer have a Conservation Plan?  does each farmer have a Manure Management Plan?  To be honest, most of the farmers in the watershed did not have them.  EPA told them they need to get these plans current, and sent a date to revisit the farmers in this watershed.  As a result of EPA visiting this watershed, and requesting to see the Conservation Plans and Manure Management Plans,  PA DEP is putting on an "extra push" to educate all farmers across the state that these Plans are required.  This is the story as I know it.  If someone (from PA?) knows more, please feel free to correct me.

Before PA-DEP decided to put the "push on" to educate farmers about these regulations, they took the time to update their Manure Management Manual, to get it in tune with the rest of DEP's Nutrient regulations.  I think this process took close to a year.  This updated manual was released late in October 2011, and is the manual that you are referencing. Currently, PA DEP is educating farmers on the need for this Manure Management Plan, and is not fining anyone for not having one...... yet.  I have not heard how long farmers will have to get this Plan completed.  I expect at least a year, but I have not heard anything definite.

US EPA is looking to come down hard on PA farmers, and my understanding is that PA DEP is pushing back (hard).  So, I would be reluctant to start bad-mouthing PA-DEP. It is my understanding that they are trying to work with the ag community in the process of implementing these regs.  One example that I have heard: EPA would like to ban - completely ban - manure spreading in winter time.  PA DEP has pushed back on this issue, stating that banning manure spreading is not practical in PA.  PA-DEP has put into place more stringent regulations regarding when manure can and cannot be spread in wintertime in PA; however, it has not been outright banned.

The other thing that I would say....  I think PA DEP has bent over backwards to be accommodating to the ag community in allowing farmers to create their own Manure Management Plans.  There are more stringent regulations as to what a farmer can and cannot do, if the farmer creates their own plan; but at least they have the option to do so. 

As for the idea that everyone who has animals needs a plan, I say: "Why Not?"  If SuzyQ homeowner has 2 horses on 1/4 acre lot next to a stream, why shouldn't she need a Plan?  Right now, with PA's Act 38 Nutrient Management program, anyone with less than 8 animal units (1 animal unit = 1000 lbs live weight), is exempt from Act 38.  However, someone with 2 horses on 1/4 acre might be causing more problems than a dairyman with 50 cows on 150 acres.  The other comment I would make: if SuzyQ homeowner has to abide by these regulations, maybe she will be a bit less inclined to point a finger at commercial farmers, and ask the government to regulate them more.......

So, I say: "Why Not???!!!"

If anyone is reading this and is from the Great State of Maryland, please comment:

Is manure spreading in wintertime completely banned in Maryland?  If so, what are the dates of when manure spreading is/  is not allowed?   I thought I had heard that it is banned, but I can't be sure.  So, if you know, please enlighten all of us.

That well should never have been drilled there; in a wet area downhill from a farmstead. Disaster waiting to happen; exacerbated by dereliction of duties by the operators.

My daugther was at a baton competition at one of the high schools on the weekend before the public was informed; but somebody at the school knew something was wrong as they covered the water fountains and posted warnings not to drink the water. Bottled water was available, as well as other drinks at concession booth. There was probably over 200 visitors at that event, mostly girls 4- 16. Thank God for someone's diligence.

We lived near Wingham at the time, about 40 miles southwest of Walkerton, in the path of air ambulance to London Hospitals; felt sick every time one of them flew over. Youngsters seemed to be more vulnerable.