OCR Text |
Show Farm Agriculture February 12, 2004, Page S BECK A Joint pabficatXHi of Um Fort Press ni SpringYBto HerakL Continued from Page 4 "We make it clear that we are not the federal government," said Glen Larsen,a neighbor and board member of the local soil conservation district. "We just want to help them before the EPA comes in and makes it mandato-ry. mandato-ry. The idea, said David Hanson, the district conservationist with NRCS, is to ask farmers to comply, instead of forcing them. "Certainly, the Clean Water Act has some teeth in it," Hanson said. "Arid if we don't get the livestock producers here and across the state and across the nation to voluntarily take action, the federal government will step in and force the issue. We're trying to head that off. In Utah, we're trying to get farmers to see, on their own, that they may have a water quality issue." And its working, according to Val D. Warnick, conservation planner with UACD. With project costs varying vary-ing from $800 to over a million dollars, dol-lars, of the thousand inventories completed com-pleted in the area, only three producers produc-ers did not cooperate. "Its still a voluntary step at this point," he said. "But if they aren't in compliance, they will be shut down. They're on their own." Times have changed. Historically, the water system was the drainage port for the corrals. . Years ago the government suggest- 1 5 According to Val D. Warnick, a UACD Planner, the first and most important step is to analyze ana-lyze your operation and current manure management practices. Throughout the year, you should determine what the farm practices are that result in discharges dis-charges to surface or ground water sources. Some of these practices may be obvious while others may not. Keep in mind that, according to federal law, no manure or contaminated con-taminated wastewater may be discharged into any surface water sources, including ditches SeeCAFO,Page6 Steve HaidmanSpanish Fork Press Glen Larsen, left, and Jon Beck look over the completed feedlot on Beck's farm. ed that feedlots should be located next to water, both for the watering of livestock live-stock as well as corral drainage. Today, "Jon's was a potential CAFO because of the setup of the feedlot," said Warnick. In order to comply, Beck moved the feedlot 30 yards back from the river and based on the survey and design from the local government entities, built a dike to restrict runoff. Doing the work himself, Beck was reimbursed 75 percent of the costs, including time and labor. With the cost share programs, producers pro-ducers can build manure storage, fences, tanks and troughs, even dig a well and be reimbursed for up to 75 percent. "I could have done it cheaper, probably," prob-ably," said Beck."But I did it their way and it's done right. I couldn't ask for a nicer organization to work with." For his efforts to protect the water quality of the Spanish Fork River, Jon Beck was voted the 2003 Operator of the Year by the Timp-Nebo Soil Conservation District. YVANDERFNG WARDROBE -7- "When the price of new just won't do!" New and gently used clothing Great selection on consignment Come see our "New Spring Preview" u 5 a 1 At-CEIOTEBS 798-2144 375 N. Main, Spanish Fork life offer a full line of tires, hitches and for all your ranch needs! 511 South Main St., Springville 489-3893 Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. |