Program Overview
SWCDs assist the Resource Management Section in implementing the Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program locally by providing landowners, farm operators and loggers technical assistance, advice and expertise and informing them of the level of conservation necessary to comply with the rules and standards. The resource management section helps the SWCDs by developing new conservation programs, providing training and educational opportunities and assisting them in resolving pollution problems. In most cases participation and assistance is voluntary; however, in the case of a pollution complaint for a non-permitted facility the division can take enforcement action when necessary. When situations cannot be resolved voluntarily, the division chief can issue an order against any person who fails to comply with the rules and standards. Any person failing to comply with these orders is subject to criminal penalties.
Download a historic timeline of the Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program (28 KB PDF).
Environmental, Economic and Public Importance
Sediment is the largest pollutant to Ohio’s waterways and livestock manure contains other pollutants that can harm the aquatic environment; cause water quality problems in streams; and can contaminate drinking water supplies. Soil sediment and nutrients in livestock manure can also cause excessive algal growth in streams and the lakes and reservoirs they drain into. This program plays an important role for the public and the environment by protecting Ohio’s surface and ground water resources from being polluted by agricultural sediment, livestock manure and runnoff from logging operations. While protecting the environment is of most importance, keeping Ohio’s leading industry—agriculture—viable is also important. Livestock and poultry farms alone provide more than $2.2 billion in output to Ohio’s economy. Having key programs and sound regulations in place that protect the environment, benefit the public, and keep businesses viable is the main objective of the resource management program.
Program Accomplishments
- Adoption of rules for “watersheds in distress,” leading to better nutrient management on farms generating or utilizing manure.
- Focus on nutrient and harmful algal bloom issues at Grand Lake St. Marys.
- Adoption and training for the new Ohio Nutrient Management Workbook
- Surpassing the 100,000 acre milestone of enrollment in Ohio’s three Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs, protecting thousands of miles of streams.
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