From: Subject: USDA POLICY FOR GROUND WATER QUALITY Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:30:12 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/dr9500-008_ground_water_quality.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.6157 USDA = POLICY FOR GROUND WATER QUALITY

 U.S.=20 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

WASHINGTON,=20 D.C. 20250

 

DEPARTMENTAL=20 REGULATION

NUMBER:

9500-008

SUBJECT:=20 USDA=20 POLICY FOR GROUND WATER QUALITY

DATE:=20 August=20 4, 2011

OPI:=20 Under=20 Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

 

1.     =20  PURPOSE

This statement = documents and sets=20 forth the policy of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) = to=20 protect and enhance ground water quality.

 

2.     =20  BACKGROUND =

Ground water quality is = important=20 to all Americans, and it is the intent of the Department of Agriculture = to=20 ensure that its programs and activities reflect that importance. The = quality of=20 ground water may be affected by contamination from many sources, = including some=20 occurring naturally and some induced by agricultural and silvicultural=20 practices. The Nation's farmers, ranchers, and foresters need to = prudently use=20 nutrients and chemicals as they help produce the food and fiber = necessary for=20 improving the quality of life of all mankind, and to meet the needs of a = growing=20 population.

This ground water = policy=20 statement is issued to improve the management, coordination, and = effectiveness=20 of USDA assistance to farmers, ranchers, foresters, State and local = government=20 agencies, and other water users in rural areas.

 

3.     =20  USDA GENERAL POLICY FOR GROUND = WATER=20 QUALITY

With the need to = continue the=20 prudent and sustained use of the nation's renewable natural resources, = it is the=20 policy of USDA to help protect water users and the natural environment = from=20 exposure to harmful substances in ground water, especially in rural = areas,=20 and to enhance ground water quality where appropriate.=20

 

Accordingly, USDA will: =

a.      =20 Support the prudent use = and=20 careful management of nutrients and chemicals in agricultural and = silvicultural=20 production with the objective of safeguarding ground water quality. = Where ground=20 water quality enhancement is needed, foster alternative crop management = systems,=20 improvements in the management of nutrients and chemicals, and = reductions in the=20 use of inputs as appropriate.

b.     =20 Advocate and foster = programs,=20 activities, and practices that can prevent the harmful = contamination of=20 ground water from agricultural, silvicultural, and other rural sources = in order=20 to minimize, or make unnecessary, regulatory restrictions on the use of=20 chemicals and nutrients needed for agricultural production.=20

 

4.     =20  USDA POLICY FOR RESEARCH,=20 INFORMATION-EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

a.      =20  Continue to conduct and support = research,=20 monitoring, assessment, and evaluation of: (1) factors affecting the = movement of=20 nutrients, pathogens, toxins, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural = chemicals in=20 soils and water; (2) effectiveness of efforts to protect ground water = quality;=20 (3) procedures to predict the effects of changes in chemical management; = (4)=20 effects of agricultural and silvicultural =20 practices on the movement of nutrients, toxins, pharmaceuticals, = and=20 agricultural chemicals in ground water; (5) economic benefits of = agricultural=20 chemical uses; (6) economic effects of various strategies to reduce = ground water=20 contamination; and (7) relative hazards to animal and human health of = substances=20 in soil and ground water.

b.     =20  Provide both nationwide and = site-specific=20 information, education, and technical assistance to private landowners = to=20 encourage them to use agricultural and silvicultural practices, = including=20 non-chemical methods of pest control that can minimize the risks of = ground water=20 contamination levels that are harmful to public health and the = environment.=20

 

c.      =20 Provide information and = education=20 to people and communities in rural areas about methods to maintain safe = wells;=20 to avoid local contamination of water by pathogens, agricultural = chemicals,=20 nutrients, and other substances; to obtain tests of ground water = quality; and to=20 treat their water to remove natural and artificial contaminants where=20 needed.

 

5.     =20 USDA POLICY FOR = COOPERATION AND=20 COORDINATION

 

a.      =20 Strive to assure that=20 Departmental policies and programs are implemented in a manner that = encourages=20 agricultural and silvicultural practices that safeguard ground water=20 quality.

 

b.     =20 Coordinate with state = and federal=20 agencies, manufacturers, and others to help ensure agricultural and=20 silvicultural land users apply nutrients and pesticides correctly.  Coordinate with and encourage = state and=20 federal agencies, manufacturers, and others to help agricultural and=20 silvicultural land users avoid or minimize adverse affects on ground = water=20 quality.

 

END