NEW DEP Regs Will Affect Ag Operations

Recent changes in Pennsylvania’s regulations and the Department of Environmental Protection’s policies will affect agricultural operations in Susquehanna County. These changes come under the “Clean Streams Law,” which affects all farms and non-farms producing or using manure.

All users and producers of manure are required to have a manure management plan. The plan must detail how you will protect surface and ground water. The plan must also address the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus that could be applied per acre, set backs from surface and ground waters, winter application procedures, barnyard runoff, pastures and storage or stacking areas.

A certified planner is not required however there are some advantages to using a certified planner versus doing the plan yourself. By using a certified planner the restrictions of where and when manure can be spread is going to be significantly different than if a certified planner is hired to develop the manure management plan. For example, without a certified planner a 150 foot manure setback from all waters would be required. Whereas, if a planner is involved and if the proper conditions present themselves and the proper best management practices are installed, such as a 35 foot wide vegetated buffer is maintained around surface waters then a 35 foot setback would be sufficient to protect the water.

Even if you have been following the manure management manual and or the State Conservation Commissions ACT 38 regulations, there have been some changes made to the following items: allowable application rates, winter spreading procedures, year round manure application setbacks, barnyard runoff controls, manure storage, manure application records, infield stacking procedures and pasture stocking rates. These changes are still being finalized and manuals and guidance are not available in print. So, be aware that there may be more to come.

For more information contact the Willie Keeney, Susquehanna County Conservation District at 570-278-4600 ext. 284. To learn more details about this policy change attend a workshop at the Susquehanna County Dairy on Friday, March 4th at 10:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. in a classroom. All workshop attendees will receive a special Dairy Day gift for attending!