Miller’s Farm: Agricultural BMPs: Stormwater Management Systems

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Miller’s Farm: Agricultural BMPs
New Oxford, Adams County PA

Agriculture is Pennyslvania’s second largest industry, but it is also a major contributor to water quality problems. The Commonwealth is the number one source of nitrogen pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, and of that, agriculture contributes more than 60 percent. Pennsylvania is also the second largest source of sediment and phosphorous pollution to the Bay. Preserving this crucial part of the economy while also protecting our waterways and other natural resources can be a delicate balancing act, but more and more farmers are taking up the challenge and achieving success.

Take the Miller family: they have been farming in Adams County for more than 50 years. While a far cry from a factory farm, the Millers juggle some 38,000 turkeys, 150 cattle, and more than 1,000 acres of land dedicated to wheat, corn, soybeans, and hay. Their operation is considered a Concentrated Animal feeding Operation (CAFO) because of their turkey contracts, and as a result, is subject to NPDES permit requirements under the federal Clean Water Act. When it comes to protecting water quality, through stormwater runoff management, they have embraced their responsibility taken a pro-active approach.

The Millers started working with their local County Conservation District to address stormwater runoff and drainage issues on some of their fields back in 1989—and have since partnered with the CCD and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on numerous efforts aimed at minimizing the sediment and nutrients coming off of their land.

In this area, we have focused most of our efforts on keeping the soil on the farm, keeping the water runoff clean, and keeping the streams functioning the way they should. But we don’t come in and tell farmers what to do. Solutions have to be based on their specific operation: the layout of the farm, how they move their livestock, what works best for them...
-NRCS Natural Resources Specialist Jim Gillis.

The Millers own or rent several properties, some of which are preserved as part of the Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Support from the state Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has enabled the Millers to set aside acreage for wildlife habitat, create a forested riparian buffer zone along a stream, and construct a pair of controlled stream crossings to provide a stabilized area for equipment and cattle to move between pastures and barns.

With the help of partners and financial assistance through an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) cost-sharing contract, the Millers have also developed a Nutrient Management Plan, constructed a Heavy Use Protection Area at the barnyard, and are in the process of a constructing a Roof Runoff Structure and Underground Outlet on the barnyard to remove excess stormwater.

With a little vision and effort, the Millers are protecting their land and local water resources, improving the health of their livestock—and helping the Chesapeake Bay.

PROFILE

Situation: A 100-plus acre mixed use farming operation (crop, pasture, beef, turkeys) has implemented a wide range of land use, conservation, rainwater runoff and stormwater management BMPs to manage nutrients, control erosion, and maintain livestock health.

BMPs:

Revegetate Using Native Species: Naturalized Basin (BMP Manual reference: BMP 5.6.3)
Vegetated Swale (BMP Manual reference: BMP 6.4.8)
Riparian Buffer Restoration (BMP Manual reference: BMP 6.7.1)
In addition, numerous Nutrient Management and Conservation Farming Practices are in place.

Benefits:

Reduced erosion
Improved air and water quality
Improved wildlife habitat
Improved livestock health
Aesthetics

Site:

Miller Road Farm
New Oxford, Adams County PA

Players

Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Adams County Conservation District
Natural Resources Conservation Service

Cost

Varies with BMPs

Funding

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

BENEFITS

The Millers employ a variety of BMPs that work in combination with their conservation farming practices to achieve impressive results. Crop rotation, contour farming, prescribed grazing, and terracing help reduce erosion, manage nutrients and other pollutants, provide feedstock, and maintain the health of the soil.

Quality of Life

Improved water quality
Improved air quality
Manure Control
Reduced pesticide drift
Decreased human exposure to wastes and toxics
Improved working conditions

Environmental

Improved volume and peak rate control
Reduction in streambank and channel erosion
Improved habitat for wildlife
Healthier livestock
Reduction in health hazards
Increased infiltration

PLANNING

Through a 2006 EQIP contract, the Miller’s developed a Nutrient Management Plan, constructed a Heavy Use Protection Area at the barnyard, and a Roof Runoff Structure and Underground Outlet on the barnyard to remove excess stormwater runoff.

The operation is considered a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) due to the number of turkeys housed on a yearly basis at their other farm, and as such, it falls under the authority of the Federal Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations. The nutrient management plan serves a dual purpose for the EQIP contract and for CAFO permitting. The plan encompasses all owned and some rented tracts that are utilized for manure application. Manure testing is done annually; soil testing, every 3 years.

BMP’s

The following BMPs have been applied on Miller’s Farm. The definition and purposes listed here correspond to the NRCS Technical Guide. Where applicable, references to the PA DEP BMP Manual are also provided.

Conservation Crop rotation in fields 1, 3, 4 & 12
- Definition:
  - Growing crops in a recurring sequence on the same field.
- Purposes:
  - Reduce sheet and rill erosion
  - Maintain or improve soil organic matter content with crop residue
  - Manage the balance of plant nutrients
  - Manage plant pests
  - Provide food for domestic livestock
  - Provide food and cover for wildlife
Contour farming in fields 1, 3 & 4
- Definition:
  - Tillage, planting and other farming operations performed on or near the contour of the field slope.
- Purposes:
  - To reduce sheet and rill erosion
  - To reduce transport of sediment and other water-borne contaminants
Grassed waterway in fields 2, 3 & 4
- Revegetate Using Native Species: Naturalized Basin (BMP Manual reference: BMP 5.6.3)
- Vegetated Swale (BMP Manual reference: BMP 6.4.8)
- Definition:
  - A natural or constructed channel that is shaped or graded to required dimensions and established with suitable vegetation.
- Purposes:
  - To convey rainwater runoff from terraces, diversions, or other water concentrations without causing erosion or flooding
  - To reduce gully erosion
  - To protect/improve water quality
Subsurface drain in field 3 & 4
- Definition:
  - A conduit, such as corrugated plastic tubing, tile or pipe, installed beneath the ground surface to collect and/or convey drainage water.
- Purposes:
  - Improve the soil environment for vegetative growth, reduce erosion, and improve water quality by:
  - Regulating water table and ground water flows
  - Intercepting and preventing water movement into a wet area
  - Relieving artesian pressures
  - Removing surface runoff
  - Leaching of saline and sodic soils
  - Serving as an outlet for other subsurface drains
  - Regulating sub-irrigated areas or waste disposal areas
  - Collect ground water for beneficial uses
  - Remove water from heavy use areas, such as around buildings, roads, and play areas; and accomplish other physical improvements related to water removal
  - Regulate water to control health hazards caused by pests such as flukes, flies or mosquitoes
Terrace in field 4
- Definition:
  - An earth embankment, or a combination ridge and channel, constructed across the field slope.
- Purposes:
  - Reduce soil erosion
  - Retain stormwater runoff for moisture conservation
Heavy Use Protection Area in field 14
- Definition:
  - The stabilization of areas frequently and intensively used by people, animals or vehicles by establishing vegetative cover, by surfacing with suitable materials and/or by installing needed structures.
- Purposes:
  - Reduce soil erosion
  - Improve water quantity and quality
  - Improve air quality
  - Improve aesthetics
  - Improve livestock health
Roof Runoff Structure in field 14
- Definition:
  - Structures that collect, control, and transport rainwater runnoff from roofs.
- Purposes:
  - Improve water quality
  - Reduce soil erosion
  - Increase infiltration
  - Protect structures
  - Increase water quantity
Underground Outlet in field 14
- Definition:
  - A conduit installed beneath the surface of the ground to collect surface water and convey it to a suitable outlet.
- Purposes:
  - Dispose of stormwater and excess water from terraces, diversions, subsurface drains, surface drains, trickle tubes or principal spillways from dams (outside the dam area only), or other concentrations without causing damage by erosion or flooding
Prescribed Grazing in field 2
- Definition:
  - The controlled harvest of vegetation with grazing or browsing animals, managed with the intent to achieve a specified objective.
- Purposes:
  - Maintain or improve the health and vigor of desired plant communities
  - Maintain or improve livestock health and productivity
  - Maintain or improve water quality, quantity and availability
  - Reduce accelerated soil erosion and maintain or improve soil condition
  - Promote economic stability through grazing land sustainability
Riparian Forested Buffer in Fields 10 and 11
- (BMP Manual reference: BMP 6.7.1)
- Definition:
  - An area predominantly trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies.
- Purposes:
  - Create shade to lower or maintain water temperatures to improve habitat for aquatic organisms
  - Create or improve riparian habitat and provide a source of detritus and large woody debris
  - Reduce stream bank or shoreline erosion
  - Reduce excess amounts of sediment, organic material, nutrients and pesticides in surface runoff and reduce excess nutrients and other chemicals in shallow ground water flow
  - Reduce pesticide drift entering the water body
  - Increase in-stream processing of organic material, nutrients, and other chemicals
  - Restore native riparian plant communities
  - Increase carbon storage in plant biomass and soils

REGULATORY

As previously noted, the operation is considered a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), and falls under the authority of the Federal Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations.

Details on Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Management Program related to CAFOs can be found on DEPs site: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/watershedmgmt/cwp/view.asp?a=1442&q=513929

RESOURCES

Natural Resources Conservation Service: www.nrcs.usda.gov
The NRCS has been a key partner in the successful application of BMPs to the Miller’s farming operations. The NRCS, formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service, helps America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources by providing science-based technical assistance programs to suit each customer’s specific needs.

Information on programs, technical resources, publications, and much more can be found on the main NRCS web site www.nrcs.usda.gov

For information about Pennsylvania’ s NRCS Program, go to www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov

For information about the NRCS Chesapeake Bay Conservation Program go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/chesapeakebay/chesapeakebay.html

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): www.creppa.org
CREP is a federal-state natural resource conservation program to address agriculturally-related environmental problems. Participants receive financial incentives from USDA to voluntarily enroll their lands in CREP contracts for 10 to 15 years, during which time they remove cropland or marginal pastureland from agricultural production and convert it to native grasses, forested buffers, and other habitat amendments for the benefit of soil, water, and wildlife resources.

The PA Game Commission's CREP Program web pages can be found at www.pgc.state.pa.us/crep/cwp/browse.asp?a=507&bc=0&c=70089&crepNav=|

The Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP):
www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=145155
REAP is a state tax credit program for agriculture and other participating businesses that offers transferable tax credits for the establishment of barnyard renovations, riparian forest buffers, no-till planting, and other conservation BMPs. Established in 2007, the program allotted $10 million in credits in each of its first two years. REAP has proven to be overwhelmingly popular: $13 million worth of requests were received in the first day of the 2008 application period alone. Advocates are pushing for increased allotments in future years.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintains a web page with the latest information about REAP at www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_sub_pa_campaigns

Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program: http://panutrientmgmt.cas.psu.edu/
A web site that acts as a comprehensive source of information about Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act (Act 38, 2005), and provides technical guidance and educational information. The site was developed and is maintained through a workgroup representing various partnering agencies actively involved with the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Act Program.

For PA DEP’s Nutrient Management Program web page, go to www.depweb.state.pa.us/watershedmgmt/cwp/view.asp?a=1442&q=513908&watershedmgmtNav=|

Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania Programs: http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_main_pa_

Adams County Conservation District: http://dsf.pacounties.org/adams/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=449893%20