Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D. Whatcom Conservation District ARM...Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Month % of Yearly Total Soil NO3 Ground Water NO3 Gound Water Depth

Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D. Whatcom Conservation District

May 2, 2012 Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer Groundwater Nitrate Science Forum Abbotsford, CN

Background ARM System Assessment Development Implementation and Monitoring Evaluation, Adaptation, and

Outreach Preliminary Findings Questions/Discussion

System to address surface runoff, groundwater leaching, and air emissions in one tool

Minimize pollution risk from manure application with education and effective management tools

Address risk on a spatial and temporal scale Individual field analysis and assessment Seasonal criteria for risk (winter vs. summer, high vs. low

risk) Accountability – ARM Worksheet submittal Flexibility – Farmers have better options when to apply Goal: Integrate ARM into nutrient planning processes

Soil and Ground Water Nitrate

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5

10

15

20

25

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Month

% o

f Yea

rly T

otal

Soil NO3 Ground Water NO3 Gound Water Depth Precipitation Soil Temp

These are smoothed annual trends based on actual data and will vary depending on soil type and seasonal conditions.

*There is NO nitrate (NO3-) in manure

EPA Watershed grant to develop, test, adapt, and initiate ARM system

4 year study: 2010-2014 Four Overlapping Phases: Phase 1 - Assessment Phase 2 - Development Phase 3 - Implementation and Monitoring Phase 4 - Evaluation, Adaptation, and Outreach

Field Level Risk Assessment Soil risk rating based on 15 factors: Soil type, permeability, seasonal high water table, distance to surface

water, slope, hydrologic group, available water holding capacity, infiltration rate, flooding potential, compaction potential, runoff rate, aquifer recharge, wetlands present, and crop type (i.e., grass or corn)

Example Risk Levels - Runoff: High – Bare ground, adjacent water, high water table, flooding Med-High – Minimal cover, high water table, ponding Medium – Adjacent water, ponding, good infiltration, low slope Low-Med – Dense cover, low water table, minimal slope Low – Grass, no adjacent water, good infiltration, good AWC

Fill out Worksheet Look at forecast Assess individual fields Application equipment Protective measures in place

Worksheet Output Gives warnings, individual

parameter risk ratings, overall risk, and max application rate

Optional tools in the future to enter and log data

Send to WCD Check and revise application if

analysis is incorrect

Application Limiting Factors: Forecast: >0.25 in (day of); 0.5 in (cum. 3d) Soil Moisture: >90% Water Table: <12 in to surface (24 in) Vegetation Cover: <3 in height, <75% cover Conditions: frozen (>1 in), flooded Setbacks – 2x filter strip width (Nov-Feb)

Give overall risk (low-high) Application amount (risk:gal) Under review and revision throughout project

Implementation: Install on test farms (began Fall 2011) Update NMPs to include ARM Field mapping and risk analysis Monitor ARM system

Monitoring, assessment, and validation: Soil, manure, forage, surface water, groundwater,

soil water, and air Analyze application practices and resource

relationships to identify BMPs

Continuous evaluation and adaptation of ARM throughout the project

Workgroups (Partner and Farmer): Offer feedback on system throughout project

Outreach: Education of partners, farmers, and custom

applicators Newsletter, email list, webpage, workshop Manure Spreading Advisory

BMPs and guidelines to reduce pollution risk Adapt ARM to use with all sectors of ag

Nutrient concentration gradient with depth (↓ with ↑ depth)

Soil and soil water nitrate levels not necessarily correlated

Soil types have different leaching characteristics – Effect manure application timing recommendations

Well and lysimeter data is comparable Still many unknowns and questions to be

answered….

Questions/Discussion

Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D. Whatcom Conservation District

O: (360) 354-2035 x 126 W: www.WhatcomCD.org

E: [email protected]

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