water quality impairment and manure management

Water Quality impairment and manure management

Ohio EPA

February 6, 2007

Mandate to Restore Polluted Waters

FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT[As Amended Through P.L. 107–303, November 27, 2002]

SEC. 101. (a) The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.

Leading Causes of Impairment2000 Ohio Water Resources Inventory

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

Habitat Alterations

Siltation

Organic Enrichment

Nutrients

Flow Alteration

Metals

2000

1998

1996

1222

932.7

783.2

575.9

537.3

413.5

922.1

547.4

762.7

305.6

313.3

379

847.2

754.2

931.2

228

314.8

226.1

Miles Impaired By Cause

AssessmentCycle

What is Nutrient Impairment?• Effects of Nutrients on Aquatic Life

Nutrients, except under unusual circumstances, rarely approach concentrations in the ambient environment that are toxic to aquatic life. However, nutrients, while essential to the functioning of healthy aquatic ecosystems, can exert negative effects at much lower concentrations by altering trophic dynamics, increasing algal and macrophyte production (Sharpely et al. 1994), increasing turbidity, decreasing average dissolved oxygen (D.O.) concentrations, and increasing fluctuations in diel D.O. and pH. Such changes are caused by excessive nutrient concentrations resulting in shifts in species composition away from functional assemblages of intolerant species, benthic insectivores and top carnivores typical of high quality warmwater streams towards less desirable assemblages of tolerant species, niche generalists, omnivores, and detritivores typical of degraded warmwater streams.

Habitat Destruction and Nutrient EnrichmentEffects on Stream Fish Community

Healthy Fishery Degraded Fishery

Good Habitat(Shading, Better Nutrient Processing, More Living Places)

Poor Habitat(Full Sunlight, Boom and Bust Production, Fewer Living Spaces)

Historic Range of Smallmouth BassTrautman’s Fishes of Ohio

Viable Smallmouth Bass Fisheries

Nutrient StudySampling Locations 2004 & 2005

2004

2005

USGS ‘05

2006 Basins

Findings from Nutrient Study2004 & 2005

0.0100.100

1.000

PHOSPHORUS

0

5

10

15

20

25

D.O

. S

win

g

0 60 120 180Canopy

0

5

10

15

20

25

D.O

. S

win

g

D.O. Swings As Related to TP and Canopy

Gross Nutrient EnrichmentStillwater River

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 2000 4000 6000 8000Time

D.O

. m

g/l

9/12–14/05

Buffers and Habitat Quality

Nothing here to filter pollution Bank erosion

Landuse and Nutrient Enrichment

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100Percent Agricultural

0.010

0.100

1.000

Ph

osp

ho

rus

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100Percent Agricultural

0

5

10

15

20

25

D.O

. Sw

ing

Managing the Landscape to Manage Nutrient Loads

• Streams need wide buffers– provide shading

• cooler temperature• limit algae growth

– filter pollutants• allow sediment to drop out• vegetation take up nutrients• accidents do happen, need margin of safety

• Good Physical Habitat– increase processing of nutrients– where drainage needed, consider natural channel design

• Wetlands or Riparian for Tile Drainage– tiles by-pass riparian zone

Average Phosphorus Concentrations Around Ohio

Little or No DataBackgroundNormalEnrichedPolluted

Stream Quality and Density of CAFOs

Darke

MercerAuglaize

Very Poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Stream Quality

Nutrient Guidelines for Ecosystem Protection

For Ohio:

Total Phosphorus (mg/L) Total Nitrogen (mg/L)

WWH EWH WWH EWH

Headwaters0.08 0.05 1.0 0.5

Wadable0.10 0.05 1.0 0.5

Small Rivers0.17 0.10 1.5 1.0

Large Rivers0.30 0.15 2.0 1.5

NH3-N (mg/L) Total P (mg/L)

Nitrate (mg/L)

Average of 15 samples from GLSM and Wabash watershed

0.603 0.573 19.03

“Control” from Loramie Creek (i.e., less density of livestock)

0.246 0.333 6.75

% Difference 59% less 42% less 65% less

Summary of thaw related runoff (12-27-05)

High Versus Low Flow Measurements of Nutrients(“Associations” report--1999)

• The concentration of nutrients lotic (i.e., moving water) ecosystems increases significantly with increased flow.

• The assimilation and removal of nutrients by an intact and healthy riparian buffer is significant, although the magnitude varies seasonally.

• Evidence of negative short term effects of elevated nutrient concentration on resident aquatic assemblages is lacking. It is the residual effects of nutrient loadings that are likely of most consequence to aquatic community performance.

Ag Stormwater Exemption & BMPs

• Regardless of whether a Livestock or poultry facility or individual (i.e., manure applicator) is regulated under Permit (ODA, or OEPA). The provisions of Ohio’s Water Quality Standards (WQS) apply across the board. Where water quality standards are exceeded due manure handling, the Agricultural Storm water exemption is the means by which the responsible individual(s) can avoid potential enforcement of the violation(s) of WQS.

• In order to claim Agricultural Stormwater Exemption applies, the responsible party must provide and/or demonstrate that they have followed Best Management Practices.

• In general those BMPs are listed in ODA’s Permit to Operate and Ohio EPA’s NPDES permit for CAFOs, and they are listed in NRCS Standard 633 and 590. BMPs include: demonstration that proper rate, timing, method, and form are implemented. Keeping records that demonstrate BMP implementation are a BMP, and so is checking the forecast.

BMPs and the permits that Require them to be implemented.

• Setbacks!• Tile Outlet checks!• Evaluate field for Soil Cracks!• Site specific areas of concern

(concentrated flow paths)• Agronomic Utilization! (Keep Soil test P

levels from skyrocketing)• Forecast!• Record keeping!

Site Specific Nutrient Planning:Recognize where the risks are, and address it

through planning. (Beegle webcast)

Evaluate and determine Proper Setbacks

Know where your land application field drains, and monitor there.

Know where your land application field drains, and monitor there.

Evaluate field for cracks

Surface Drains are conduits to waters of the State.

Forecast-Kenton OH 6-28-06www.noaa.gov (Hourly Weather Graph)

Sample Record Form

Blank Form Provided in packetHard Copy can be mailed anytime

upon request from Ohio EPA. I can also forward electronically.

Date: Time Start: Time Stop: Gal or tons/load:

Manure source: Applicator name: Acres manure applied upon today: (not total field acreage)

Method of Application: Spreader capacity/load

Date of Incorporation (if applicable):

Date and time of most recent forecast check (attach forecast document): Calculated Rate (gal/ac or

tons/acre):

Load Count (e.g: )

Current or next crop:

Residue type and % cover:

Soil Saturation (AWC):

Soil Cracks:

Tile Checks –time/condition

Comments/problems:

Most recent Soil Test Values (provide units) N P K

Most recent Manure analysis (provide units):

Day 1 (manure application day) Day 2 Date: Day 3 Date: Day 4 Date: Day 5 Date: Actual precipitation

in inches

Be sure to attach at least one print out of forecast to this record form.

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/cafo/monitor.html

Circa 1922

• “The latest and most efficient method of fixing Nitrogen was invented by a scientist named Haber. In his process hydrogen gas is mixed with Nitrogen (air)and subjected to great pressure. They unite to form Ammonia, which is easily changed into good nitrogen fertilizer.

Circa 1922 cont.

• “The machinery used can be driven by steam engines (Editorial remark: and now fossil fuels such as Natural Gas). The Haber invention gives promise of increased fertilizer supply, and therefore and increased food supply to the world.”

• So what’s happened since the Haber Invention?

Something to think about.

Population of Human Species.

Source: U.N.

Lake Erie-Western Basinper research from Heidelberg College (Baker et al)

• Despite increased focus on conservation efforts, Phosphorus load is increasing in Lake Erie.

• Excessive phosphorus loading identified as cause for increases in Blue-green algae (Microcystis).

• Decreases in Phosphorus Load from Sediment noted, but increases in Dissolved reactive Phosphorus, which is 100% available to support algal growth. Photo by: Thomas Bridgeman,

University of Toledo

Rainor

snowmelt

Surface Runoff

Particulate phosphorusassociated with eroded

soil particles.

Dissolved phosphoruspicked up from soil

solution.

Infiltration and percolation

Tile flow with nitrate

Zone of runoff interaction - 1-5 cm.

How does phosphorus move from fields to streams?

Under conservation tillagephosphorus accumulatesat the soil surface.

From Heidelberg Baker et al.

Maumee River 7/1/2003 - 8/22/2003

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

7/1/03 7/11/03 7/21/03 7/31/03 8/10/03 8/20/03

Date

Flo

w

(cfs

)

0.000

0.100

0.200

0.300

0.400

0.500

0.600

0.700

0.800

TP

(m

g/l

)

Flow, CFS TP, mg/L as P

Detroit River

24.3 km3 water

287 mtons TP

15x more water

Maumee River

1.56 km3 water

587 mtons TP

2x more phosphorus

Baker et al, 2007

Agricultural Phosphorus and Eutrophication, Second EditionA.N. Sharpley, T. Daniel, T. Sims, J. Lemunyon, R. Stevens, and R. Parry

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, ARS–149, September 2003

Phosphorus Stratification After 20 Years of No-till, Sandusky County, OH

020406080

100120140

Depth below Soil Surface

lbs/

ac B

ray

P1

Glenford silt loam

Hoytville silty cl lm

Jerry Cunningham, CCA, Country Spring Farmers Co-op.

From Doug Beegle LPES Webcast:http://lpe.unl.edu/pdfs/07janPPbeegle.pdf

The Squeeze

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

• Last comment from “Nutrients and Suspended Sediment in Snowmelt Runoff from part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, Minnesota and Wisconsin, 1997-Fallon and McNellis” report…

• “In agricultural and forested streams, the snowmelt period can deliver greater proportions of annual loads of nutrients and suspended sediment than other equivalent periods, and occasionally, the majority of the annual load. Consequently, the snowmelt period should be considered in strategies aimed at reducing loads of nutrients and suspended sediments to streams.”

Incorporated manure …

Injected manure

• Soil saturation checked and recorded?

• Rate based in consideration of all variables.

• Remember manure application in these conditions, leaves is still not considered a good practice. It’s marginal at best with regard to true nutrient utilization.

Evaluate each field for site specific issues (e.g. concentrated flow paths)

Snow water equivalent 02-05-07

• Snow water equivalent is a consideration prior to placement. Recognize that additional show cover can increase the liklihood of losses during thaw event.

Current Soil TemperaturesOARDC Weather Stations

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

• Hoytville (Northwest Ohio) at noon Friday 02-02-07:• 2”= 32.17 degrees F • 4” = 29.78 degrees F

• Hoytville (Northwest Ohio) at 8:00 a.m. Monday 02-05-07:• 2” = 23.96 degrees F • 4” = 26.70 degrees F

• Wooster at 8:00 a.m. Monday 02-05-07:• 2” = 26.13 degrees F • 4” = 31.60 degrees F

For Questions or More Info Call:

cathy.alexander@epa.state.oh.us (614) 644-2021rick.wilson@epa.state.oh.us (614) 644-2032melinda.harris@epa.state.oh.us (614) 728-1357• Information on Ohio EPA Water Quality Information:

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/index.html