Farmers near Grand Lake St. Marys complying with nutrient plan requirement

December 14, 2012

COLUMBUS — Approximately 85 percent of the qualifying livestock farmers in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed have submitted nutrient management plans to the state.

They’re following the Watershed in Distress Rules developed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

(Scroll down to see links to previous coverage.)

As a result of the rules implemented by ODNR, qualifying livestock farmers within the watershed have been required to complete a nutrient management plan that describes how they will manage their manure in order to prevent nutrient runoff into Grand Lake St. Marys.

Of the submitted plans, 132 area farmers exceeded that requirement by completing the more detailed comprehensive nutrient management plan.

The Mercer and Auglaize soil and water conservation districts and ODNR Division of Soil and Water Resources staff worked with farmers over the past two years to complete the comprehensive nutrient management plans.

All final paperwork for nutrient management plans is due by Dec. 15. However, since Dec. 15 falls on a Saturday this year, the deadline is extended to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17.

Farmers who are required to submit a nutrient management plan and fail to do so will receive a notice of their violation and may be subject to orders issued by the chief of the Division of Soil and Water Resources, which could result in court action against a farmer not in compliance with the rules.