intro to nutrient management

Robert HabelUrban Nutrient Management Specialist

Department of Conservation and Recreation804-371-7489

Robert.habel@dcr.virginia.gov

Intro to Nutrient Management

The Ultimate Goal of The Ultimate Goal of The Virginia DCR’sThe Virginia DCR’s

Nutrient Nutrient ManagementManagement Programs are Programs areImproving Virginia’s Water QualityImproving Virginia’s Water Quality

andandPROTECTING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY!!PROTECTING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY!!

2008 Bay Health Report

100% Health/Production Based on 1600’s Exploration Narratives from

Captain John Smith

2010 Bay Health Report

2010 Value Shows the Bay at 31% Health“Dangerously Out of Balance”

2010 Bay Health Report• Based on 3 factors

– Fisheries

2010 Bay Health Report• Based on 3 factors

– Fisheries– Habitat

2010 Bay Health Report• Based on 3 factors

– Fisheries– Habitat– Pollution

Primary Pollutants

• Nitrogen and Phosphorus are the “Limiting Factor” to Achieving Bay Health

• Limiting Factor: anything that tends to make it more difficult for a species to live, grow, or reproduce in its environment

• All other health score areas are affected by excess nutrients

Primary Pollutants

• Life within rivers, streams, lakes and bays could not occur without nutrients

• Eutrophication – an excess of nutrients – causes ecological problems

Primary Pollutants

Progress is being made with Point Sources• A point source of pollution is a single

identifiable localized source– State Of The Art Sewage Treatment Plants

– Factory Discharge Regulations

More Must Be Done To AchievePollution Reduction Goals

•Nonpoint source pollution is from many different indistinguishable

sources with no specific solution to rectify the problem

– Agricultural Runoff– Urban Runoff

2000 study estimated that nearly all N and Pexported from watersheds in Mid-Atlantic from

nonpoint sources.

BAY WATERSHED

60% of Virginia Drains into the BayThe Remainder Drains to

Gulf of Mexico and Albermarle Sound

www.epa.gov

Cities, parking lots, roads, neighborhoods etc…

Impaired Waters

While most Legislation and Policy deal directly with the Health of

The Chesapeake BayLocal Waters are Improved as Well.

Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation

The Nutrient Management Program is administered by DCR because we have the responsibility for managing non-point source pollution management program in Virginia.

Urban and agricultural lands are considered non-point sources when we consider nutrient and sediment loss to ground and surface waters.

Nutrient Management Program

Regulations first adopted January 1996– Nitrogen management required, Phosphorus optional

• Revised January 2006– Nitrogen and Phosphorus management required– Expanded criteria to include recommendations for

athletic fields, golf courses, and sod production

Nutrient Management Certification and Training Program

Nutrient Management Certification is a voluntary program

Nutrient management plans are not required except for:

– Animal operations with Va Pollution Abatement permits or Federal Permits

– Certain biosolids application criteria require a plan– Participation in certain Ag Cost Share practices– State Lands receiving nutrient applications– Golf Course by 2017

Nutrient Management Planning

A Nutrient Management Plan means a plan prepared by a Virginia certified nutrient management planner to manage the amount, placement, timing, and application of manure, fertilizer, biosolids, or other materials containing plant nutrients in order to reduce nutrient loss to the environment and to produce crops.

Nutrient Management Planning

The goal of nutrient management planning is to minimize adverse environmental effects of nutrient loss, primarily upon water quality, and avoid unnecessary nutrient applications.

Nutrient Management Planning

It should be recognized that some level of nutrient loss to surface and ground waters will occur even by following a nutrient management plan, however losses should be lower than would occur without a plan.

Nutrient Management Certified Planners

Total Number of Planners - 383 Ag Category - 341 Turf & Landscape Category - 77 Both Categories - 35

As of February 2011

Activity Report – Acreage for 2010

New /Revised

Crop Alfalfa Hay Pasture Specialty Crop

Turf & Landscape

Total Acres

New 72,892 1,055 19,391 5,976 15,042 228.34 114,584

Revised 177,448 498 17,495 4,985 356 649.57 201,432

Grand Total

250,340 1,553 36,886 10,961 15,398 877.91 316,016

Plan Writing Opportunities in VA?

Potential Acres, Turf & Urban Lands – 1,332,729

Preliminary Goal for Planned Acres– 333,182

Currently Reported Acres – 27,000

Nutrient ManagementTraining and Certification

ProgramEducationExperienceExam

Education and Experience• Ag-Related

Degree– Agronomy– Horticulture– Forestry– Geology

• 1 Yr. Nutrient Management Job-Related Experience– Fertilizer

Salesman– Golf Course

Superintendent– Lawn Service

Operator– Landscaper– SWCD Employee

Education and Experience

• Nutrient Management Related Training– Work related

Training– College Short

Courses– Nutrient

Management Training School

• 3 Yrs. Nutrient Management Job-Related Experience– Fertilizer

Salesman – Golf Course

Superintendent– Lawn Service

Operator– Landscaper– SWCD Employee

Certification Exam

• 100 Multiple Choice Questions• Subject Matter Listed in Knowledge

Areas• Two Parts

– Core 75 Questions: First 9 Knowledge Areas•Closed Book

– Practical 25 Questions: Mainly 10th Knowledge Area•Open Book- VA Nut. Man. Standards and

Criteria

Certification Exam

• 3 Hours Allowed for the Exam– 1 hour + for each part

• Held First Friday of February & August

• Application Submitted 30 Days Before

• Application Fee $100• Results Released by Mail 45-60

Days After Exam

Certification Application Statement

• 7. I hereby apply for nutrient management certification in accordance with the provisions of 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia, agree to comply with the Nutrient Management Training and Certification regulations, and certify that the above information is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Exam Tips• Pick Best Answer

– Use information listed in question– Do not over think question

• Environmental Optimum Does Not Apply– Pick Closest Numerical Given in Answer– Read Questions Carefully: Look for

words like•NOT• Increase or Decrease•Most or Least

Certificate Renewal• Certificates expire after two years

– Expire on the last day of the month issued• You will receive a renewal application

about 45 days before certificate expiration

• $100 renewal fee• List meetings attended for Continuing

Education Credits– 4 Credits needed if plan(s) written– 8 Credits needed if no plans written– Va. Nut. Mgt. Credits, NOT GCSAA or CCA

Credits– Excess credits cannot be carried forward

Reporting and Record Keeping

Annual Activity Reports

Plan Inspections

Annual Activity Report

• Report by September 30 of each year

• Plan Writing Summary by acres and hydrologic unit for period from July 1 through June 30

• Report form supplied by DCR

Record Keeping•MAINTAIN PLAN RECORDS FOR 3 YEARS

• Soil samples; dated not later than 3 yrs. prior to date plan was written

• Copies of soil survey maps, or soil survey for each field, (unless soil survey not published)

Record Keeping• A list of all plans prepared

– Landowner or operator name– Date plan was prepared of revised

Inspections• Review plan content for

compliance with Regulations and Standards and Criteria

• Make recommendations• Discuss with Planner

– Ways to improve plans– How to handle unusual situation(s)– Plan writing progressively improves

Nutrient ManagementCertificationFor Exam Applications

Ms. Susan Jones(804) 443-6752

Susan.jones@dcr.virginia.gov

Questions?Robert Habel

Robert.habel@dcr.virginia.gov