Setting agricultural pollution control priorities

Excerpt

SINCE 1976, the Idaho Department, of Health and Welfare's Division of Environment and the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission have addressed statewide agricultural pollution control problems. A plan, developed during the 208 clean water planning process, was completed in 1979. The two agencies have since helped soil conservation districts carry out this voluntary pollution control program on agricultural land. Included in the effort is a cost-sharing program that has a commitment of about $10 million in state funds.

An important part of the program has been the setting of priorities. In plan development, emphasis was put on concentrating efforts in those areas with severe impacts from farming and grazing activities. Unfortunately, the division had little water quality data and few resources to conduct such monitoring. An alternative assessment method had to be found. Consequently, the division and commission went to local sources to determine the extent and severity of nonpoint pollution problems related to agriculture.

Problem assessment

The commission contacted the 51 conservation districts in the state, asking each to identify soil erosion problems. Districts used their resource inventories, county erosion rate maps, long-range programs, general soils maps, conservation needs inventory, Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Field …