Intro to Nutrient Management

1. Intro to Nutrient Management Robert Habel Urban Nutrient Management Specialist Department of Conservation and Recreation 804-371-7489 Robert.habel@dcr.virginia.gov

2. The Ultimate Goal of The Virginia DCR’s Nutrient Management Programs are Improving Virginia’s Water Quality and PROTECTING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY!!

3. 2008 Bay Health Report 100% Health/Production Based on 1600’s Exploration Narratives from Captain John Smith

4. 2010 Bay Health Report 2010 Value Shows the Bay at 31% Health “Dangerously Out of Balance”

5. 2010 Bay Health Report • Based on 3 factors • Fisheries

6. 2010 Bay Health Report • Based on 3 factors • Fisheries • Habitat

7. 2010 Bay Health Report • Based on 3 factors • Fisheries • Habitat • Pollution

8. Primary Pollutants • Nitrogen and Phosphorus are the “Limiting Factor” to Achieving Bay Health • Limiting Factor: anything that tends to make it more difficult for a species to live, grow, or reproduce in its environment • All other health score areas are affected by excess nutrients

9. Primary Pollutants • Life within rivers, streams, lakes and bays could not occur without nutrients • Eutrophication – an excess of nutrients – causes ecological problems

12. Primary Pollutants Progress is being made with Point Sources • A point source of pollution is a single identifiable localized source • State Of The Art Sewage Treatment Plants • Factory Discharge Regulations

13. More Must Be Done To Achieve Pollution Reduction Goals • Nonpoint source pollution is from many different indistinguishable sources with no specific solution to rectify the problem • Agricultural Runoff • Urban Runoff 2000 study estimated that nearly all N and P exported from watersheds in Mid-Atlantic from nonpoint sources.

14. BAY WATERSHED 60% of Virginia Drains into the Bay The Remainder Drains to Gulf of Mexico and Albermarle Sound

15. Cities, parking lots, roads, neighborhoods etc… www.epa.gov

16. Impaired Waters While most Legislation and Policy deal directly with the Health of The Chesapeake Bay Local Waters are Improved as Well.

17. Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation • The Nutrient Management Program is administered by DCR because we have the responsibility for managing non-point source pollution management program in Virginia. • Urban and agricultural lands are considered non-point sources when we consider nutrient and sediment loss to ground and surface waters.

18. Nutrient Management Program • Regulations first adopted January 1996 • Nitrogen management required, Phosphorus optional • Revised January 2006 • Nitrogen and Phosphorus management required • Expanded criteria to include recommendations for athletic fields, golf courses, and sod production

19. Nutrient Management Certification and Training Program • Nutrient Management Certification is a voluntary program • Nutrient management plans are not required except for: • Animal operations with Va Pollution Abatement permits or Federal Permits • Certain biosolids application criteria require a plan • Participation in certain Ag Cost Share practices • State Lands receiving nutrient applications • Golf Course by 2017

20. Nutrient Management Planning A Nutrient Management Plan means a plan prepared by a Virginia certified nutrient management planner to manage the amount, placement, timing, and application of manure, fertilizer, biosolids, or other materials containing plant nutrients in order to reduce nutrient loss to the environment and to produce crops.

21. Nutrient Management Planning The goal of nutrient management planning is to minimize adverse environmental effects of nutrient loss, primarily upon water quality, and avoid unnecessary nutrient applications.

22. Nutrient Management Planning It should be recognized that some level of nutrient loss to surface and ground waters will occur even by following a nutrient management plan, however losses should be lower than would occur without a plan.

23. Nutrient Management Certified Planners • Total Number of Planners - 383 • Ag Category - 341 • Turf & Landscape Category - 77 • Both Categories - 35 As of February 2011

24. Activity Report – Acreage for 2010

25. Plan Writing Opportunities in VA? Potential Acres, Turf & Urban Lands – 1,332,729 Preliminary Goal for Planned Acres– 333,182 Currently Reported Acres – 27,000

26. Nutrient ManagementTraining and CertificationProgram Education Experience Exam

27. Education and Experience Ag-Related Degree Agronomy Horticulture Forestry Geology • 1 Yr. Nutrient Management Job-Related Experience • Fertilizer Salesman • Golf Course Superintendent • Lawn Service Operator • Landscaper • SWCD Employee

28. Education and Experience Nutrient Management Related Training Work related Training College Short Courses Nutrient Management Training School • 3 Yrs. Nutrient Management Job-Related Experience • Fertilizer Salesman • Golf Course Superintendent • Lawn Service Operator • Landscaper • SWCD Employee

29. Certification Exam 100 Multiple Choice Questions Subject Matter Listed in Knowledge Areas Two Parts Core 75 Questions: First 9 Knowledge Areas Closed Book Practical 25 Questions: Mainly 10th Knowledge Area Open Book- VA Nut. Man. Standards and Criteria

30. Certification Exam 3 Hours Allowed for the Exam 1 hour + for each part Held First Friday of February & August Application Submitted 30 Days Before Application Fee $100 Results Released by Mail 45-60 Days After Exam

31. Certification Application Statement 7. I hereby apply for nutrient management certification in accordance with the provisions of 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia, agree to comply with the Nutrient Management Training and Certification regulations, and certify that the above information is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

32. Exam Tips Pick Best Answer Use information listed in question Do not over think question Environmental Optimum Does Not Apply Pick Closest Numerical Given in Answer Read Questions Carefully: Look for words like NOT Increase or Decrease Most or Least

33. Certificate Renewal Certificates expire after two years Expire on the last day of the month issued You will receive a renewal application about 45 days before certificate expiration $100 renewal fee List meetings attended for Continuing Education Credits 4 Credits needed if plan(s) written 8 Credits needed if no plans written Va. Nut. Mgt. Credits, NOT GCSAA or CCA Credits Excess credits cannot be carried forward

34. Reporting and Record Keeping Annual Activity Reports Plan Inspections

35. Annual Activity Report Report by September 30 of each year Plan Writing Summary by acres and hydrologic unit for period from July 1 through June 30 Report form supplied by DCR

36. Record Keeping MAINTAIN PLAN RECORDS FOR 3 YEARS Soil samples; dated not later than 3 yrs. prior to date plan was written Copies of soil survey maps, or soil survey for each field, (unless soil survey not published)

37. Record Keeping A list of all plans prepared Landowner or operator name Date plan was prepared of revised

38. Inspections Review plan content for compliance with Regulations and Standards and Criteria Make recommendations Discuss with Planner Ways to improve plans How to handle unusual situation(s) Plan writing progressively improves

39. Nutrient ManagementCertification For Exam Applications Ms. Susan Jones (804) 443-6752 Susan.jones@dcr.virginia.gov Questions? Robert Habel Robert.habel@dcr.virginia.gov