AGRICULTURAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
In an effort to protect Wisconsin's lakes, streams and groundwater, new regulations to control polluted runoff from agricultural and urban lands became effective October 1, 2002. These rules put in place runoff pollution performance standards and prohibitions for farms. They also identified non-agricultural performance standards for construction site erosion control, storm water management and nutrient management on sites 5 acres or more in size.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identified the agricultural performance standards and prohibitions in Subchapter II of Chapter NR 151, Wisconsin Administrative Code. These standards are intended to protect water quality by minimizing the amount of soil erosion, nutrients from manure and croplands, and other non-point source pollutants that enter Wisconsin's waterways.
At the same time as the agricultural performance standards were being adopted, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) promulgated ATCP 50, Wisconsin Administrative Code. This rule identifies the conservation practices to be followed in order to meet the DNR performance standards. The rule also identifies the requirements for nutrient management plans.
For more information on the agricultural performance standards and how they may impact farms in the state of Wisconsin, go to the factsheet, "Wisconsin's Runoff Rules: What Farmers Need to Know".
The following list is a summary of the agricultural performance standards and prohibitions. For a complete list of term definitions, technical clarifications, effective dates, qualifying site conditions, exemptions and exclusions, see the links to the administrative rules above.
Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions:
- Soil Erosion rates on all cropland must be maintained at or below "T value" (the allowable rate that can sustain a soil's productivity.)
- All manure and other nutrients applied to croplands must be done in accordance with state standards designed to minimize surface and groundwater pollution (phased in until 1/1/08).
- Clean water runoff shall be diverted away from contacting feedlots, manure storage facilities and barnyards in shoreland areas.
- All new or substantially altered manure storage facilities must meet current engineering design standards to prevent surface or groundwater pollution.
Manure Management Prohibitions:
- No direct runoff from animal feedlots into "waters of the state".
- No overflowing manure storage facilities.
- No unconfined manure piles in a shoreland area.
- No unlimited livestock access to "waters of the state" where the livestock prevent sustaining adequate vegetative cover.
You can check the DATCP site for more information.
You can also visit DNR's Agricultural Runoff Management Web site.
Wisconsin's Runoff Rules Summary