Environment
Know Your River Basin
Information on Pesticide Container Recycling Locations/SchedulesM
NCDA&CS Pesticide Collection/Disposal Schedule
NCDA&CS's multiple opportunities for pesticide certification credits list.
US EPA New Safety Measures for Soil Fumigant
Water Use - The Agriculture Water Work Group met on January 28 to identify the components of the Strategic Plan to Protect Agriculture Water Resources. Components included, water use and crop data, water supply data, conservation/efficiency practices, water audit information, education/outreach needs, water resources and crop needs for the future, funding needs, and timeline for implementing the plan. A press event announcing this effort followed this meeting.
REPEAT - Aboveground Fuel Storage Rules and EPA Farm Outreach - NCFB has received several requests for information from farmers about the regulations on aboveground fuel storage. In June 2009 the EPA announced the deadline for compliance on farms of November 10, 2010, with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule. The rule mandates a spill plan for all farm facilities that store more than 1320 gallons of any type of fuels or other oils or oil products in containers over 55 gallons above ground. Pesticides are not included in the rule. Many farms will have to have secondary containment structures around their tanks and will either have to self-certify their structures or have a Professional Engineer design and sign off on the construction of the containment structures. The requirements for PE sign-off are based on the size of the tanks and total amount of storage. NCFB contacted EPA headquarters in Washington to request that they prepare fact sheets and other materials to educate farmers on these complex requirements. EPA said a farm outreach program on the rules is planned, but could give no indication of when it would be ready. NCFB will continue to stress to EPA the need for these materials due to the short time between now and the deadline for full compliance. If you have questions, contact Anne Coan.