Agricultural Performance Standards & Manure Storage & Management Ordinance
Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Storage and Management Ordinance
Dunn County's Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Storage and Management Ordinance requires that any person who stores manure or owns or operates a cropland practice or livestock operation in Dunn County is subject to the performance standards and prohibitions, regardless of whether they have received a permit under this ordinance.
The performance standards of meeting tolerable soil loss; adequate tillage setbacks; meeting the phosphorus index; applying nutrients according to an approved nutrient management plan; establishing clean water diversions; following manure management prohibitions; and, handling of process wastewater are included in this ordinance.
This ordinance also includes activities related to manure storage facilities. All new or significantly altered manure storage structures shall be designed and installed according to USDA-NRCS Technical Standards and Specifications including nutrient management plans. Permits are issued by the Land and Water Conservation Division.
One of the issues that influenced the development of the Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Storage and Management Ordinance was the number of abandoned manure storage structures in the County. These structures have the ability to contaminate groundwater. The liner, in a vacated structure, dries and cracks. Rainwater soaking down through these cracks transports nitrates to the groundwater. Proper closure of these abandoned structures is a high priority.
This ordinance is consistent with the agriculture performance standards and prohibitions established by the state legislature. Known as state Administrative Code NR151, these standards were established in 2002 and have been updated since that time.