NEWS &VIEWScontinued from page 8
cess Road, which is in much better shape (page 6-4). T e report also addresses trash and ero- sion from shore-fi shing, with some suggestions directed toward other uses. However, the report still recommends forbid- ding winter riding (presumably because WSSC had deemed the winter “the wettest months of the year, according to [WSSC’s] offi cial rainfall data,” completely the converse of their actual data that were obtained though a Maryland Public Information Act Request) and suggests considering a few other draconian changes. Hopefully these will not be implemented, be- cause the County Council’s budget legislation for WSSC states “Public access that is more re- strictive than policies in eff ect prior to the 2011 changes should be supported by the science and industry best practices.” Also note that contrary to a November 23,
2012 report in T e Washington Post, there were no major recommendations in the EA study to move any horse trails. WSSC has assured the public they will get
to provide more input (see the thoughtful re- cent testimony from many scores of caring citizens, at <
http://www.wsscwater.com/home/ jsp/content/2012-watershedstudy.faces>) and then will revise their public access regulations. Hopefully they will reopen the equestrian trails, permit the sections that need it to be improved (including through the above-mentioned trails grant), and encourage other ways that equestri- ans can aid in the stewardship of this environ- mental treasure. For more information, and for links to the study and testimony, please see
equiery.com late December news blog archives.
Blasted Manure Management Regs T e Maryland Department of Agriculture
(MDA) has issued a set of guidelines for farm- ers outlining immediate actions necessary to comply with Maryland’s newly revised nutri- ent management regulations which took eff ect October 15, 2012. T e revised regulations redefi ne how a farm
nutrient management plan is developed and implemented while changing the way organic nutrient sources [i.e., manure] and other ma- terials are managed. T ey are designed to help Maryland meet nutrient reduction goals spelled out in its Watershed Implementation Plan to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. “MDA has implemented a transitional ap-
proach to the revised regulations which will allow the 6,000 farmers time to secure the fi nancial and technical resources necessary to comply with the most immediate nutrient management provisions,” said Maryland Agri- culture Secretary Buddy Hance. T e new guidelines issued by MDA address the implementation requirements aff ecting the remainder of the 2012-2013 season which is now well underway. T e guidelines involve two issues of particular
interest to horse farmers. T e fi rst area addresses new requirements for
nutrient management plans (NMPs), which are required for all farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight. Under the new guidelines, existing nutrient management plans will be “grandfathered” through the time period for which they were developed. NMPs that were current as of October 15, 2012 will be considered valid until they expire. T is guide- line applies as long as there are no changes to an agricultural operation that would otherwise require a revision to the farm’s NMP.
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For example, if an NMP were developed for the 2012 calendar year for spring and fall crops, it will expire on December 31, 2012 and will require an update for the 2013 crop season. In this case, the updated NMP developed for 2013 shall be developed and implemented in accor- dance with the revised requirements outlined in Maryland’s Nutrient Management Manual. Another set of guidelines addresses the new
provisions requiring injection or incorporation of manure or other nutrient sources applied to fi elds in the winter. MDA advises that winter nutrient applications must be made in accor- dance with a farmer’s current and valid nutrient management plan. Nutrient applications made during the winter of 2012-2013 should be ac- cordance with new injection/incorporation requirements to the best extent possible. T ere are some exceptions in the regulations, includ- ing those for established pastures. MDA will be developing and posting additional information on the MDA website at
www.mda.maryland. gov to further clarify the requirements. Under the guidelines, operations with the equipment needed to meet new injection or incorporation requirements should follow new requirements. In situations where the required equipment is not available, nutrient applica- tions should occur on land with existing veg- etative cover. As horse farmers tend to spread on pasture and not bare land, this should not be a problem for us. Other requirements outlined in Maryland’s
revised nutrient management regulations, in- cluding the creation of no-fertilizer application zones next to waterways, the installation of fencing or other pasture-based best manage- ment practices, and a winter ban on nutrient applications, will take place according to the
continued on page 51
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