Excerpt
The five-year review of nutrient management regulations required by the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Act (passed in 1993 and implemented in 1997) provided an opportunity for Pennsylvania to learn from its implementation experience, consider new scientific research, and gauge stakeholder views and values. The results of the approach are now becoming realized, including recent adoption of P-inclusive nutrient management plans and passage of a law certifying manure haulers. In addition, a comprehensive set of rule changes will soon be published for public comment with an expectation that these rules will be finalized in early 2005.
Several observations can be made about the process (See sidebar on page 16A).
Animal agricultural production is accompanied by environmental impacts. Any farm plowing, tilling, or handling manure can be a source of water pollution if nutrients, sediment, and other potential pollutants are not managed in an environmentally sensitive manner. The combination of large concentrations of animals and few acres to utilize nutrient rich manure can increase the risk of water quality degradation (Beegle and Lanyon, 1994a). The public's demand for clean water is embodied in federal, state, and local policies and programs, which aim to curb agricultural pollution. Additionally, various policies
Footnotes
- Copyright 2005 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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