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ARKANSAS
Since Arkansas' nonpoint source pollution concerns stem from
agriculture--specifically animal waste--much of its NPS planning relates to
this problem. In addition to the statewide program outlined in the following
success story, Arkansas has developed education and training programs for
liquid waste operators--particularly swine and dairy farmers.
Poultry Producers Learn New Methods to Control Waste
As one of the nation's top poultry producers, Arkansas grows some one
billion broiler chickens a year, not including turkeys and laying hens. While
greatly contributing to the state's economy, the poultry industry has also
contributed to the degradation of its waters. Arkansas has focused its nonpoint
source efforts in the Arkansas River Valley and the northwest and southwest
parts of the state to eliminate pollution problems - resulting from animal
waste.
A major poultry industry problem and one that has contributed greatly to
the degradation of water quality is chicken litter disposal. To combat this
problem, the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission--the lead nonpoint
source agency--is providing technical assistance to land users. It has passed a
portion of its nonpoint source funding, totaling $1,327,335, to conservation
districts. This includes a section 319 grant of $730,737 and $596,598 in state
matching funds. The conservation districts have then hired water quality
technicians to prepare waste management plans for local poultry farmers. Since
1990, 15 technicians have each prepared 30 to 50 plans a year. The technicians
help producers acquire the knowledge and skills needed to reduce or eliminate
the animal waste entering lakes and streams. Since the project started in 1991,
technicians have made 1,144 preliminary contacts with poultry growers and
developed 841 water quality plans, of which 692 have been implemented. This has
reduced excessive litter application by approximately 32,000 tons.
Disposing of dead birds is another major poultry production problem. Using
a conservative 3 percent mortality rate, Arkansas producers must dispose of 27
million birds each year. Prior to 1992, growers followed the accepted
practice--burying dead birds in a pit designed to work like a septic
system.
Through a cooperative effort using an FY 1990 section 319 grant of $248,000
with state matching funds of $200,000, several agencies tested the management
practice of dead bird disposal pits. Testing samples showed concentrations as
high as 560 milligrams per liter (ppm) of ammonium, with concentrations of 200
ppm at a 15-foot downslope. As a result, dead-bird disposal pits have been
removed from the list of acceptable management practices and have been outlawed
in Arkansas. Again using a section 319 grant of $412,000 and state matching
funds of $240,000, Arkansas is educating - producers about the study's results
by demonstrating composting as an alternate method of disposal and through
brochures and videos about closing dead-bird disposal pits and building
composters. In addition, water quality technicians are helping landowners find
a safe method of dead-bird disposal and providing further on-site
assistance.
Cooperating agencies are the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation
Commission, the Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, the
Arkansas Water Resources Research Center, the University of Arkansas, the
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and the conservation districts.
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