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NRCS offers CAFO planning assistance
Colorado
If you have an animal feeding operation (AFO), a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan is voluntary, but highly recommended. If you have a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO), a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan is required under Colorado State Department of Public Health and Environment, and requires an application for a point source discharge permit under Regulation 61.17.
A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is a conservation plan unique to animal feeding operations. It documents the owner/operator's plan to manage manure and organic by-products by combining conservation practices and management activities into an over-arching conservation system that achieves the goal of the producer and protects water quality.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service works with livestock producers and dairy farmers to help them develop a CNMP that meets the requirements of all applicable local, state, and federal water quality goals and regulations. NRCS assists landowners in developing a CNMP in grouping conservation practices and management activities which ensures that both production and natural resource protection goals are achieved. A well developed CNMP addresses natural resource concerns dealing with soil erosion, manure, and organic by-products and their potential impacts on water quality.
In developing a CNMP, alternatives are developed that address treatment of the resources and that comply with the applicable NRCS technical standards. The owner/operator selects from these alternatives to create a CNMP that best meets his management objectives. The completed plan is one that fits within the total resource management objectives of the entire farm/animal feeding operation.
To learn more about how NRCS technical specialists can help you in identifying your AFO/CAFO needs and requirements, and how NRCS can assist you in developing a comprehensive plan, contact your local NRCS Field Office or call NRCS Agronomist Ron Schierer at the NRCS Greeley Area 2 office at 970-330-0380.
Date: 10/20/04
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