Agricultural Water Quality Protection Rules and Plans

In 1993, the Oregon State Legislature approved the Oregon Water Quality Management Act (Senate Bill 1010) requiring the Oregon Department of Agriculture to help reduce water pollution from agricultural sources and to improve overall conditions in the watershed. Nonpoint source pollution from the general landscape that cannot be traced to a single point has been identified as a problem in many watersheds.

Non-point Pollution Sources

• Erosion and runoff from roadsides and construction sites.
• Contaminated runoff from both agricultural operations and development.
• Sediment from eroding agricultural and forestry lands.

Senate Bill 1010

SB 1010 works by asking local operators to identify problems such as soil erosion, nutrient loss from fields, or degraded streamside areas. It is flexible in allowing landowners to develop their own approaches to local problems.

Soil Erosion

No erosion is allowed from agricultural lands due to management where sediments have been, or will likely be, delivered to waters of the state and cause pollution, except for short-term activity which will eventually enhance long-term soil stability (such as creating contours on a slope or pasture renovations).

Sedimentation of nearby waterways can occur with any type of activity that disturbs the soil, including home building, and measures should be undertaken to avoid runoff and erosion.

The intent of this rule is to prevent erosion such as what you might expect when soil is left bare during the winter where no adequate grass filter exists to settle out the muddy water from the field.

Riparian Vegetation Destruction

Agricultural management shall not cause stream banks to slough off more than normal for that particular system or prevent appropriate vegetation from establishing and reproducing so as to leave the stream side area vulnerable to high flow events. Deep rooted shrubs and grasses need to support soil systems along with trees. Willows, sedges and snowberry are deep rooted plants that can protect stream banks. Bluegrass and clover conversely, are upland plants that are easily rolled back during even moderate flow events.

Irrigation Management Problems

With the soils prevalent in the Rogue Valley, it’s very difficult to flood irrigate without some of the water sheeting over the surface of the soil and back into a ditch or stream. Rules now require that if there is any surface return flows, the water at the top of the field needs to be shut off.

It is possible to irrigate more evenly and beneficially with other delivery methods such as sprinklers, but poorly managed sprinklers can flood and run off just like a head gate and field check can do. No matter the application method, it’s best to eliminate or reduce surface irrigation returns.

Crop Nutrient or Animal Waste Management Problems

You must prevent your valuable manure or fertilizers from leaving your property. Small acreage landowners are especially vulnerable to this rule. Stored waste from barn cleanings or feeding areas can leave the property if water runs through it, either from rain or runoff or if stored in a flood plain. Paying attention to where you site your manure pile, covering it, and diverting clean water away from it are all easy ways to stay in compliance with this rule. The best way however is to use it right on your property or share some with your neighbor. Just don’t send it to him by way of your stream!!