|
|
The Clemson Extension Service and Pickens County Livestock Producers Work Together to Improve Water Quality
| Name | Brian Callahan | | Situation | A large percentage of Pickens County falls within the parameters of the Twelvemile watershed. Collectively, the water bodies within this 67,805 acre watershed have been identified, using TMDL data, as containing excessive fecal Coliform bacteria. Because this bacteria actively lives and passes through all warm-blooded animals, livestock farms may have a higher than normal concentration of the bacteria on site. Surface runoff may eventually lead the bacteria into nearby streams and rivers, increasing the concentration of the pollutant in the water. | | Response | As part of a land-grant university, it is Extension's job to meet the needs of the surrounding citizens. In the attempt to do this in Pickens County, the Extension service has partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a 319 Grant project aimed toward reducing fecal
Coliform counts within the Twelvemile watershed. The specifics of
this grant involve identifying livestock producers within the identified
watershed who are willing to implement best management practices (BMPs) on their farm for the purpose of fecal Coliform reduction in the local water bodies. Project participants will receive a 60% cost-share for all properly installed and approved BMPs. The role of the Extension service involves identifying the willing producers, assisting in developing a BMP installation plan, and final BMP approval. This project provides a great opportunity for producers to improve their current operations, while improving the quality of the surrounding environment at the same time.
In total, there is $300,000 in available funds for this grant project. | | Impact | As of April 2006, there were 15 livestock farms within the Twelvemile watershed currently under contract with this 319 Grant. In total, these 15 farms will be receiving $145,027 in cost-share funds for the purpose of reducing the fecal Coliform in the watershed. Because many of the contract plans are quite sizable, it commonly takes a few months before all BMPs are completely installed. Fecal Coliform counts were taken
downstream of each farm before BMP implementation began, and this will be taken again once the producer has completed the project. Using the data collected from these samplings, impact of the BMPs will be quantified. |
Last update9/2/2008
This website is maintained by Heather Repec.
|
