Agricultural Nutrient Management – Snyder County, PA Government

Overview

Every farm in Pennsylvania that applies manure is required to have some type of a written plan that describes how the manure and other nutrients are managed. This includes manure application by various types of equipment and/or direct application by animals on pastures and in animal concentration areas. By following the application requirements, the farmer will optimize yields and protect streams, rivers, ponds and groundwater.

However, certain farms require different plans. Farm operations can be grouped into three categories:

Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs, PA Act 38 Regulations)
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs, EPA NPDES regulations through DEP)
All other operations

Nutrient Management Plans

The following section describes the required nutrient management plans based upon farm operation types. To find out which type of operation your farm is, view the What Type of Plan Do I Need? document.

For Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs)

Act 38 of 2005 replaces the original Act 6 of 1993, the state’s first law that required certain farms to have approved nutrient management plans. Act 38 requires that Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) to develop and maintain a nutrient management plan. A CAO is an agricultural operation that has an animal density which exceeds two animal equivalent units (AEUs) per acre of land that can receive manure on an annualized basis. If a farm is not a CAO, this operation can also volunteer in the program.

These nutrient management plans must be submitted to the Conservation District for review under the supervision of the PA State Conservation Commission. Once approved, they must be updated within three years. CAOs and volunteers following approved nutrient management plans can receive limited liability protection.

If you are not certain if your farm operation is a CAO or when your nutrient management plan needs to be updated, contact Chip Spatz, Nutrient Management Technician, (570-837-3000 x119) to either call him direct or to set up an appointment.

For more information about the PA Nutrient Management Program, either contact Chip Spatz or visit the PA Nutrient Management website .

Forward any questions about this and other nutrient management program issues to Chip Spatz, SCCD Nutrient Management Technician, at 570-837-3000, x119.

For Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

A small number of operations are classified as CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). These operations are based on the number of animals. Refer to the CAFO Chart for a current definition.

These operations are regulated under the NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permitting program and regulations through the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). In PA, EPA delegates DEP (PA Department of Environmental Protection) to manage the program. CAFOs not only need an Act 38 nutrient management plan, but also complete permitting applications and record keeping requirements. Go to the DEP CAFO website for more information.

For Other Operations

Farm operations that are not a CAO or a CAFO are required to have a manure management plan (MMP), a simplified version of a nutrient management plan. In 2011, DEP developed and released the PA Manure Management Manual in which farmers can fill in the information themselves, follow the minimum guidelines, and be in compliance with PA and Federal water protection laws.

Note: The Conservation District is offering assistance to farmers in helping them write their own manure management plans or teaching them how to write these plans. Farmers can go to www.paonestop.psu.edu in which they can create their own maps for their MMPs.

For more information about MMPs, contact Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, at 570-837-3000 x118.

Other Manure Issues & Topics

There are two other programs, not through conservation districts, that effect certain farmers indirectly through nutrient and manure management:

Manure Hauler & Broker Program: This program certifies people that commercially haul, land apply or broker manure in PA. The PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) is tasked to manage the program. Go to the PA Manure Hauler & Broker Program for more information.

Odor Management Program: As part of Act 38, this program requires that new CAOs and CAFOs, as well as CAOs and CAFOs that build new or expand manure storage or animal housing structures, have an odor management plan written and implemented. For more information, go to the PA Odor Management Program .

Not a program, but a concern that needs to be addressed on NMPs and MMPs are animal concentrated areas (ACAs) also known as animal heavy use areas (AHUAs). These areas are where animals congregate in barnyards and pastures where manure laden water needs to be treated. Go to our Agricultural Erosion Prevention → web page for helpful tips.