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 Agricultural
practices
Numerous agricultural practices can have
significant impacts on water quality. Animal access to water bodies,
land spreading of manure during the wet season, removal of buffers that
provide filtration of pollutants before they can enter a water course,
and improper animal housing are just a few of the activities that can
affect water quality. All farms can contribute to pollution of our
waters: large commercial livestock and dairy farms, vegetable growers,
small farms and even homeowners who only own one or two domestic
animals. Work has been done with the large commercial farms to help
alleviate some of their impacts on our waterways. Efforts now need to
be directed towards the small/hobby farms to help reduce their effects
on water quality.
- Nutrient Management Plans
- As a way to control manure generated on dairy farms, the State Dairy
Management Law requires that diary farms create and implement nutrient
management/conservation plans for their farms. There are 209 dairy
farms in Whatcom County. Of these, 30 have at least part of their dairy
within the borders of the Drayton Harbor Shellfish District. All of the
dairies within the shellfish district had an approved nutrient
management plan in place by the July 1, 2002 deadline; in addition, all
plans were certified (all components of the plans were implemented) by
December 31, 2003. For more information on nutrient management plans
and other farm practices, check out the Whatcom Conservation
District website.
- Dairy Farm Inspection Program
- The Department
of Ecology (DOE) inspects all dairy farms. There are 18 dairy
farms that have their milking operation/facility within the Drayton
Harbor watershed. All 18 dairy farms have been inspected by DOE.
On-site Septic
Systems
Municipal Sewer Systems
Agricultural
Practices
Boats/Marinas
Stormwater Runoff
Wildlife/Non-human
Contributions
Other Sources
Education and
Community Involvement
Data Management/Water
Quality Monitoring
Reports
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