Planning Process for CNMPs

Vicki S. AndersonResource Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Planning Process is a Problem Solving Process --

define the problem,

pick a solution,

test the results,

modify if needed

& test again

Purpose of a CNMP

protect water qualityobtain beneficial uses from

manureminimize impacts to the

environment and public health from animal feeding facilities.

How much land needs to be in the CNMP?

all of the land that influences and is directly impacted by confinement facilities and land application of manure.

Slide 6

Feed Feed storagestorage

Group land areas that have similar problems and will have similar treatments

land use - cropland, pasture, buildings, etc.

may have smaller breakdowns, but don’t group land uses

What treatment is required for a CNMP?

GroundwaterNutrients

Leaching index is low, or minimize movement below the root

zonePathogens

eliminate direct conduits, or minimize movement to the conduit.

What treatment is required for a CNMP?

Surface water

Minimize offsite movement of manure, sediment and nutrients to surface water.

What treatment is required for a CNMP?

Soil

Sheet & rill erosion, wind erosion Soil loss at or below tolerance (T)

levelsGully

stabilize eroded areas.

So far ……….

What we want to accomplish (purpose)

On what land (production, collection, transfer, treatment, storage, utilization)

When we get there (treatment required)

Planning ProcessPhase I - Understand the problems and

opportunities

Phase II - Understand the solutions

Phase III - Understand the results

(Source: NRCS National Planning Procedures Handbook http://policy.nrcs.usda.gov/scripts/lpsiis.dll/EDS/)

Phase I(Understand the problems and

opportunities)

1 - Identify problems2 - Determine objectives3 - Inventory resources4 - Analyze resource data

Step 1 - Identify problemsNutrients & pathogens to

groundwaterNutrients/sediment/manure to

surface watersErosion on land

where manure is applied

ID Problems: Surface water? Groundwater? Soil erosion?

ID Problems: Surface water? Groundwater? Soil erosion?

ID Problems: Surface water? Groundwater? Soil erosion?

ID Problems: Surface water? Groundwater? Soil erosion?

ID Problems: Surface water? Groundwater? Soil erosion?

Step 2 - Determine objectivesDevelop and implement

technically sound, economically feasible, and site-specific

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs) to minimize impacts on water quality and public health.

Compliance with laws, rules, regulations(NPDES General Permit, GAAMPs, Bodies of Dead Animals Act, NEPA, etc.)

Future plans (livestock, land base, etc.)

Step 3 - Inventory resourcesby land grouping (cropland,

pasture, farmstead, etc.): soil characteristics land slope soil test results crop management (crops, tillage,

residue, cover crops) movement and location of surface

water, surface inlets, tile manure application (rates, methods,

timing).

Step 4 - Analyze resource dataEstablish cause & effect relationships

Tools & methods (Manure Application Risk Index, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Wind Erosion Equation, Nitrate Leaching Index, etc.)

Deduction if no tools available (if a site has a high risk of sediment moving into surface water, it probably also has a risk of nutrients moving into surface water).

At the end of steps 1-4, you should have:

a general description of the existing operationa sketch of the farm headquartersa thorough description of current animal

outputs (include any expansion plans)current management of fields used for land

application (crop rotation, tillage, etc.)description of current land application

methods (equipment, timing, rates, etc.)

At the end of steps 1-4, you should have: (continued)

Current inputs to animals - feed managementexisting and potential problems (relating to

water quality and public health) from confinement facilities and land application of manure

the cause of the problems/potential problems.

Phase II(Understand the solutions)

5 - Formulate alternatives6 - Evaluate alternatives7 - Make decisions

Step 5 - Formulate alternatives

Develop alternatives that willachieve a CNMP and the other objectives of

the customersolve the identified problemstake advantage of opportunitiesprevent additional problems from occurring.

Step 5 - Formulate alternativesWhat is the customer doing right, and could

continue; what & how does the customer need to change (based on steps 1-4)?

Animal Outputs (Production, Collection, Transfer & Storage)

Appropriate Conservation Practices on Fields used for Land Application

Land ApplicationAlternative Utilization Activities.

Step 5 - Formulate alternatives

fit management, practices, treatments into SYSTEMS the meet the customer’sobjectives and achieve the neededresource treatment forsoil and water.

crops

Storage length

Application method

Storage type

animals

Step 5 - Formulate alternatives

fit management, practices, treatments into SYSTEMS the meet the customer’sobjectives and achieve the neededresource treatment forsoil and water.

Application method

Storage type

animals

cropsStorage length

Step 6 - Evaluate alternatives

Review pros & cons of each alternative system in terms of:

customer objectivesminimizing impacts to the environment and

public healthcosts - $, management, public perception.

Current system Alternative 1Dairy stack manurewinter spreading

HeadquartersDairy stack manuredivert clean water collect runoff from manure

pile

Cropland continue same

rotation/tillagenutrient managementwinter spreading on low risk

fieldswaterways in gullies

low risk

•not near surface water

•low erosion rates

current system is working well

Current system Alternative 2Dairy stack manurewinter spreading

HeadquartersDairy solid storage (6 mo.) liquid storage including runoff,

silage leachate, divert clean watercapture silage leachateCroplandno winter spreadingmaintain setbacks filter stripswaterways in gullies increase crop residuenutrient management

high risk

•near surface water

•leachable sites

•high erosion rates

Current system Alternative 3Dairy stack manurewinter spreading

HeadquartersDairy storage pond (6 mo.)divert clean water capture silage leachate

Cropland injection, no winter spreadingwaterways in gullies increase crop residue filter stripsnutrient management

high risk

•near surface water

•leachable sites

•high erosion rates

customer prefers injection

Step 7 - Make decisions

Who - the customer makes the decision

Items to decide:what will be done when it will happenwhere it will be locatedwhy it is needed

(Schedule of implementation)(Schedule of implementation)

Phase III(Understand the results)

8 - Implement the plan9 - Evaluate the plan

Step 8 - Implement the plan

the plan contains enough detail for the customer to implement, operate and maintain it maps

• location of setbacks• acceptable fields for winter

spreading charts

• how to achieve application rates worksheets

• manure application records

nutrientsanimals

conservation

Step 9 - Evaluate the plan

the plan includes Inspections and Operations & Maintenance to

assess whether customer objectives are being met

identify elements of the CNMP that required more management than planned

identify elements of the CNMP that need to be revised or updated.

Why use the 9-step planning process?

Helps customer determine & achieve their objectives

focuses efforts on solving the problems rather than using prescribed solutions

continues to evaluate the success of the plan.