East Texas could become 'impaired zone,' state official cites at dairy conference

By KRISTY HEMMINGSEN | East Texas Edition

June 20, 2002 -- The possibility that the East Texas area could one day become an impaired zone, due to environmental concerns of area lakes, rivers and streams, is not beyond impossible, according to Darrell Williams with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Committee (TNRCC).

"We are looking at the whole state of Texas," stated Williams. "We're looking at the phosphorous levels of all the rivers and lakes, and then we are going decide what is a reasonable action level beyond which we need to require additional regulations of contained (CAFOs) or non-contained (AFOs) animal facility operations that operate in imperative zones."

"It's something you need to keep your eye out for," he stressed.

Williams recently spoke during the East Texas Dairy Conference held May 22 at the Hopkins County Civic Center in Sulphur Springs.

Williams informed dairy producers of any updates TNRCC has developed, as well as explanations on some of the things TNRCC expects out of the producers to insure environmental stability of water sources.

One important aspect of the TNRCC's concerns for any area in the state entails "protection zones."

Williams explained that a protection zone refers to a body of water that is the sole source of drinking water for a metropolitan area.

He said that if someone (a dairy producer) were in one of these zones, then that person would have additional requirements.

"These zones typically cover an area two miles out from the highest water level of the lake," explained Williams. "As well as three miles up and two miles on either side of any perennial streams feeding into that lake."

If a producer does not know whether or not they are in such a zone, Williams said they would need to contact the public drinking water authorities or contact TNRCC to get a list of the lakes.

He said that producers must control animal contact with waters of the state, control the animals' runoff and properly contain manure storage areas.

"If someone owns or operates an (AFO) or CAFO which they apply animal waste (liquid or solid) to land for beneficial reuse to enhance soil productivity, then they might need to have a nutrient utilization plan (NUP) developed for their operation.

He also said that if someone finds they have over 200 ppm of phosphorous in their soil, they too must develop a NUP.

A NUP is a document that ensures that the beneficial use of animal waste is conducted in a way that prevents phosphorous from affecting water quality.

This document can be prepared by officials from such organizations as the TNRCC, the Texas Cooperative Extension, or the NRCS, and will be accepted by the TNRCC if it abides by a list of certain requirements.

FOs that apply animal waste to soil must annually collect and analyze representative soil samples from all of these land application areas, or land management units (LMUs).

When 200 ppm of phosphorous is exceeded, Williams suggested reducing waste application to minimize environmental impact by reducing application to LMUs that exhibit higher phosphorous and switching over and applying the higher levels to the lower phosphorous fields.

For example, if someone has five LMUs and after analysis, find out which ones have phosphorous levels over 200 ppm, then they should adjust waste application so that they apply the higher levels of phosphorous to the lower level fields.

"That's just good fertilization sense," explained Williams.

Williams also said LMUs ought to be divided-up with similar characteristics and texture, have the same waste management history and typically no more than 40 acres each.

"The LMU should be sampled before animal waste application, then after application," added Williams. "If you have clear water running off your fields, the water source it flows into will be blue. If it is brown, your fields are probably laidened with sediments."

Preventative measures, Williams explained, could include keeping vegetated, any area where water flows. This will also help in reducing erosion.

Whenever a dairy has a field containing too much phosphorous, Williams said, "My guess is that producers are feeding way too much phosphorous to their dairy cattle than they need to. Yes, it helps boost milk production, but it costs money to do so, and in turn, results in environmental problems.

Use what's necessary (feed), to get an optimal level for maximizing milk production, then don't go past that."

Williams concluded by saying that there is a new soil form available that can be obtained through the TNRCC and that every field (LMU) should have it's own form.

Williams said that there are a few changes to the definitions for CAFOs, but they primarily affect new or expanding areas in the Bosque River area. In that area, he said there are two river segments that are impacted in respects to phosphorous.

This new rule of "applicability," (individual permits for new or expanding dairy CAFOs) does not affect dairies in East Texas, but that if other segments become impaired in this area, it will greatly affect East Texas dairy producers.