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

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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.

More about the Grand Lake St. Marys problems:

Monday, November 12, 2012
Expert revising Ohio’s phosphorus index to improve water quality

Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Ohio announces ‘Clean Lakes Initiative’ to help curb pollution

Thursday, March 29, 2012
Grand Lake St. Marys receives additional conservation funds

Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ohio’s ag water quality recommendations ‘officially’ announced

Thursday, January 5, 2012
Farm nutrient management looks to be hot issue in Ohio in 2012

Saturday, August 27, 2011
Quasar gets $1 million grant for anaerobic digester project at impaired Ohio lake

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Mercer and Auglaize County farmers: If you raise livestock, better update your manure management plans

Monday, August 2, 2010
Big plans for Grand Lake St. Marys

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Hot, humid weather causing unhealthy algal blooms in Ohio ponds, lakes

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
USDA funding to improve water quality in Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed

Monday, April 12, 2010
Ohio watershed gets $1 million to expand conservation practices

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