ASSISTANCE TO DAIRY OWNERS

 

One of the Districts roles as a non-regulatory agency has been to facilitate communication between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Lahontan Water Board, and the dairy owners to develop a collaborative solution to the nitrate concerns raised by the Lahontan Region Water Quality Control Board. The NRCS Conservation Nutrient Management Program (CNMP) can help producers utilize their manure sources available for nutrient application and to reduce nitrate intrusion into surface and/or ground water. The CNMP will also help with the infrastructure and in obtaining management resources available to aid in delivery and monitoring of nutrient and irrigated water applications to the cropland (i.e., flow meters, pipeline, manure spreading, pond liners, etc.). Lahontan hosted an in-person and online public listening session on June 15, 2022, asking for public comments on a newly released fact sheet and excerpts from the order that will apply to all Confined Animal Facilities. Nothing has been heard regarding the outcome of the meeting and incorporating the comments into the order as of yet. Unfortunately, the number of dairies has dwindled to less than five in the area. It is paramount all parties work together to achieve the most efficient and cost productive avenues that will determine the effectiveness of nitrate
mitigation.