Theresa Werme
6/1/12
Massachusetts Water Protection Regulations and Guidelines for Sheep Farmers
Massachusetts water quality is controlled via laws and regulations, BMPs (Best Management Practices), and benefits for farmers who follow conservation practices. The state government works with federal and local (such as the Conservation Commission, Open Space Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and Water & Sewer of Douglas, MA, where members of the community are currently debating articles about groundwater and watershed) government. For example, the DEP, a state program, acts for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a branch of the EPA (these are federal programs). This can get complicated, but luckily the Massachusetts state government is willing to work with its constituents as well as with federal organizations and laws.
Federal law often affects Massachusetts water policies. The Massachusetts Division of Watershed Management (DEP), with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA [state govt.]), submitted the Massachusetts Watershed Initiative on April 1, 1998. The catalyst for this proposal, Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA [of the EPA]), mandates that states “develop a list of impaired waters and estimates of the maximum amount of pollution allowed where existing controls are not stringent enough to attain compliance with State Water Quality Standards.” Also required by the CWA was the use of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the waters in question. To create a TMDL, the allowed amount of pollutant for a certain body of water is compared with the distribution of that load to “point and non-point sources.” Then, the EPA required that all states submit a plan for completing all of their TMDLs for the next 8-13 years. The DEP submitted a two-phase approach to collaborate with the EPA to create plans for areas with poor operations, and to continue to “work closely” with the EPA through 2012 (Footnote: 1)
Following state-issued BMPs prevents trouble with the state. Sheep produce 40 lb manure per day, at (lb/ton) 12 N, 5 P2O5, and 9 K2O (UMASS 8-20). Knowing this, farmers should base application of manure on timing (avoid spreading from winter to early spring), location (avoid spreading on slopes, flooding plains, or within 200 feet of a water source), and incorporation (within 72 hours of application) (“Manure” pg. 1). (Footnote: 2)
Dispose of animal carcasses by composting under proper Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources guidelines to avoid needing a permit, states the University of Massachusetts Agricultural Extension (UMASS, 8-14). Farmers are advised to use manure rather than commercial fertilizer, develop a “nutritional management plan” (UMASS 8-17) and sample soil and manure. Forage should include at least 30% legume; if not, supplementary N will be needed to maintain the pasture. Needed for good forage for sheep are water, fencing, nutrients, and crop. They do not require as much shelter as other livestock would. (Footnote: 3)
Beneficial programs also exist. The Massachusetts Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) seeks to support farmers utilizing “conservation practices that prevent direct impacts on water quality [and] ensure efficient use of water.” Volunteers are reimbursed up to $25,000 for installation and materials. Eligible practices include “manure waste storage, irrigation efficiency, water control structures, pesticide storage facilities, and fencing” to exclude livestock from water sources. Land must be designated as agricultural or horticultural. Areas with troublesome environmental issues are more likely to be chosen; those with an NRCS [federal] Conservation Plan can also qualify for financial aid from the USDA (http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/aeep/).
Footnotes:
- “Department of Environmental Protection – Division of Watershed Management (1998). DEP’s Proposed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL’s) Strategy to Improve the Water Quality of Massachusetts Rivers and Lakes.” Retrieved from
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources – “Manure Management: Protecting Water Resources from Nutrient Pollution.”
- UMass Extension Crops, Dairy, Livestock, Equine – http://www.umass.edu/cdl – “Livestock and Poultry BMPs.” Retrieved from
Theresa Werme 