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(your state) Master Farmer Program. Add your university logo or program logo here. The Clean Water Act. Originated as the Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA) of 1948 WPCA amendments in 1970 created the EPA
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(your state) Master Farmer Program Add your university logo or program logo here
The Clean Water Act • Originated as the Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA) of 1948 • WPCA amendments in 1970 created the EPA • WPCA Amendments of 1972 became what is commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA) today
CWA Focus For First 25 Years • Focused on point source or “end-of-the-pipe” sources - originate from a stationary location or fixed facility from which pollutants are discharged directly into a water-body -includes run-off from wastewater treatment plants, CAFOs, oil refineries • Largely exempted nonpoint source (NPS) runoff from regulation; these were managed by voluntary implementation of BMPs -includes run-off from all agriculture, lawns, highways, parking lots, natural sources
Requirements of the CWA • Requires states to develop lists of impaired waters (EPA approved) • Requires states’ to identify pollution reductions needed to meet standards – now includes both point and non-point source pollutants • Requires development of TMDLs and implementation plans that will lead to clean water goals (EPA approved)
What is a TMDL? Total Maximum Daily Load A TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant (allocated among point, nonpoint, and natural sources) that can enter a water body and still comply with water quality standards. It is required for waters not meeting state / EPA approved water quality standards. TMDLs must also be approved by EPA.
Agriculture and Forestry Nonpoint Source Pollutants • Sediments • Nutrients • Pesticides • Oil & Grease • Animal Wastes
Impairment Status of Louisiana’s Basin Sub-segments Add your state map with impairments *Based on DRAFT 2002 305(b) List and subject to minor changes.
LOUISIANA LAND USE Add your state land use map here.
Add your university and program logo here; also add any partnering or supporting agency logos Louisiana Master Farmer Program Collaborations/Partnerships
Master Farmer Initiative • Multi-agency effort sponsored by the Louisiana FarmBureau Federation (add your own) • Implemented by watershed, with the AgCenter’s watershedagent coordinating thesessions (add your university dept. or center here) • Targets all agricultural producers • Objective:The (your state)Master Farmer Program is a multi-agency effort targeted at helping agricultural producers voluntarily address the environmental concerns related to production agriculture.
Master Farmer Initiative Environmental Stewardship
Phase 1: Environmental Education • Conducted at the parish/watershed level • Specific topics addressed include: • The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 • National & Louisiana (your state) water quality standards • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) • Impacts of NPS Pollution on the Coastal Zone • Best Management Practices (BMPs) • Role of Conservation Districts in conservation planning and implementation • The NRCS Planning Process • Conservation Programs
Phase 2: Model Farms • Representative farms for each watershed; commodity specific for that area • BMP demonstrations; ex. No-till vs conventional tillage • Water quality monitoring • Sponsor field day with data collected for education and outreach purposes
“Potential” Model Farms Add your state watershed map here or delete if no Model Farms will be selected. Poultry Beef Cattle Cotton Soybeans Corn Rice, Soybeans Crawfish Beef Cattle Beef Cattle Dairy Sugarcane
Phase 3: Conservation Plans • Development and implementation of farm-specific RMS level conservation plans • Looks at all resource concerns • Plans will be developed by the NRCS and working with the local Soil and Water Conservation District
Time Line For Implementation of Program • Schedule of Watersheds • Mermentau/Vermilion-Teche (2001) • Calcasieu/Ouachita (2002) • Barataria/Terrebonne (2003) • Red/Sabine (2004) • Pontchartrain Basin (2005) • Mississippi/Atchafalaya/ Pearl (2006) Develop and list a time-line for implementation of the program state-wide by watershed.
Summary • As TMDL’s are being developed in (your state)’s watersheds, (your state)’s agricultural producers will face environmental challenges such as compliance with mandatory reductions of nonpoint pollutants, such as nutrients, pathogens (fecal coliform), organic material/dissolved oxygen, sediment, and metals. Voluntary implementation of incentive-based, economically achievable and effective BMPs, through the Master Farmer Program, represents a workable means of reducing agriculture’s contribution to the water quality challenges.