CHAPTER 102 REGULATIONS REVISIONS TO AGRICULTURAL SECTION

DEFINITION CHANGES Agricultural “Cultivation” instead of “Plowing or Tilling” Ag operation – new definition – includes horses Animal heavy use area – includes areas on farm where animals congregate, creating e&s problems

DEFINITIONS, CON’D Conservation Plan – “prepared by NRCS or a person certified by that agency” – includes an implementation schedule – addresses heavy use areas Earth disturbance – includes “improper management of animal heavy use areas”

DEFINITIONS (CON’D) Soil Loss Tolerance (T) – maximum amount of soil loss, in tons/acre/year, that a given soil type can tolerate and still permit a high level of crop production to be sustained economically and indefinitely

§102.5 E&S CONTROL AT AG OPERATIONS a. BMPs to address ag cultivation & animal heavy use areas (<5,000 sq.ft.) b. Written plans for these areas, if >5,000 sq.ft. c. Joint responsibility (landowner & renter) for plan development, implementation, maintenance

§102.5 E&S CONTROL (con’d) d. E&S plan options for cultivation activities: Soil loss from sheet/rill = T r, gully erosion addressed with BMPs, and BMPs used where <25% cover within 100’ of surface water Follow Ag E&S Control Guidance Obtain DEP approval

102.5 E&S CONTROL (con’d) e. E&S plans for animal heavy use areas: Follow NRCS HUAP standard 561 Follow Ag E&S Control Guidance Obtain DEP approval

102.5 E&S CONTROL (con’d) f. E&S plans includes cost effective and “reasonable” BMPs and implementation schedule g. Portion of Conservation Plan that meets 102.5(d) – (f) is acceptable for Ag E&S h. Plan – available for review at ag operation