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Pre-Emptive Strategies for Agricultural Sector

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Watershed ManWatershed Management to Meet Water Quality Standards and TMDLS (Total Maximum Daily Load) Proceedings of the 10-14 March 2007, San Antonio,  701P0207.(doi:10.13031/2013.22611)
Authors:   Mahendra P Mohite
Keywords:   non-point source pollution, BMPs, S.B. 503, TMDL, Nutrient Management Plan

As there is neither a regulatory mechanism nor a regulatory hammer currently present for addressing and monitoring non-point source related water quality issues, non-point source pollution, particularly from the agricultural sector is being blamed as a loose canon. Consequently, the environmental community has been involved in a variety of discussions on this topic including the issue of fairness in allocating pollutant loads. However, these discussions appear to indicate lack of knowledge and understanding of various programs in Texas that address non-point source issues. Primary reason for this knowledge gap seem to be the absence of branding and lack of mainstream marketing of various voluntary programs available for non-point source pollution control. This paper focuses on what tools and practices farmers, ranchers, and CAFO operators have at their disposal to control non-point source pollution resulting specifically from their operations and highlights the primary programs Texas currently implements to target agricultural non-point source pollution. Proactively seeking coverage under these umbrella programs would strategically and beneficially resolve the allocation issues involved in the TMDL process. The important and potentially essential role that agricultural sector will play in the TMDL process is described.

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