Cross-boundary Collaboration on the Implementation of a Unique Manure Application Risk Management Tool for Water Quality Improvement
Presentation Abstract
Throughout the Puget Sound and Strait of Georgia regions (combined Salish Sea), impacted and poorly managed agriculture has repeatedly been advanced as a leading contributor to surface and ground water pollution. Both U.S. and Canadian producers and technical staff have recognized the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the problem. In particular, improvements in nutrient application methods and use of decision support tools are necessary to protect resources from further negative impacts. Studies conducted by the Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) in Washington have shown that strategic manure application practices and timing can significantly reduce the potential of nutrient runoff and leaching events. By utilizing a unique manure Application Risk Management (ARM) strategy that encourages applications be tailored to soil type and account for current field and weather conditions, a significant reduction in pollution potential can be realized as compared to “conventional” application practices. The ARM program includes farm field-specific risk identification maps, an online real-time three day manure spreading runoff risk advisory, and interactive field-level risk assessment worksheet that helps a producer identify and mitigate risks associated with manure runoff. Recognizing the benefit of wide adoption of these tools, the WCD in Lynden, WA and Ministry of Agriculture in Abbottsford, B.C. are partnering together to adapt the tools for the Fraser Valley, B.C.. A pilot project is underway with Canadian agricultural producers to test and promote adoption of the ARM tools, as well as quantify the beneficial impacts of the ARM system to Canadian, and U.S., water quality. This effort has evolved through a collaborative partnership with agency and producer participation on both sides of the border accounting for differences in conservation practices, regulatory framework, economics, and social norms. The goal is that in partnership, we can reduce impacts from agriculture associated with nutrient use and improve water quality.
Session Title
Cross-Border Local Leadership Exchange I: Water Quality in Border Areas'
Conference Track
Policy and Management
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Water--Pollution--Washington (State); Water quality----Washington (State); Water--Pollution--British Columbia; Water quality--British Columbia; Agriculture--Environmental aspects--Washington (State); Agriculture--Environmental aspects--British Columbia; Agricultural pollution--Washington (State); Agricultural pollution--British Columbia
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Whatcom Conservation District (Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Washington (State); British Columbia
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Cross-boundary Collaboration on the Implementation of a Unique Manure Application Risk Management Tool for Water Quality Improvement
2016SSEC
Throughout the Puget Sound and Strait of Georgia regions (combined Salish Sea), impacted and poorly managed agriculture has repeatedly been advanced as a leading contributor to surface and ground water pollution. Both U.S. and Canadian producers and technical staff have recognized the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the problem. In particular, improvements in nutrient application methods and use of decision support tools are necessary to protect resources from further negative impacts. Studies conducted by the Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) in Washington have shown that strategic manure application practices and timing can significantly reduce the potential of nutrient runoff and leaching events. By utilizing a unique manure Application Risk Management (ARM) strategy that encourages applications be tailored to soil type and account for current field and weather conditions, a significant reduction in pollution potential can be realized as compared to “conventional” application practices. The ARM program includes farm field-specific risk identification maps, an online real-time three day manure spreading runoff risk advisory, and interactive field-level risk assessment worksheet that helps a producer identify and mitigate risks associated with manure runoff. Recognizing the benefit of wide adoption of these tools, the WCD in Lynden, WA and Ministry of Agriculture in Abbottsford, B.C. are partnering together to adapt the tools for the Fraser Valley, B.C.. A pilot project is underway with Canadian agricultural producers to test and promote adoption of the ARM tools, as well as quantify the beneficial impacts of the ARM system to Canadian, and U.S., water quality. This effort has evolved through a collaborative partnership with agency and producer participation on both sides of the border accounting for differences in conservation practices, regulatory framework, economics, and social norms. The goal is that in partnership, we can reduce impacts from agriculture associated with nutrient use and improve water quality.
