&EPA
              United States
              Environmental Protection
              Agency
               Enforcement and
               Compliance Assurance
               (2221-A)
EPA310-R-00-001
September 2000
Profile of the Agricultural
Crop Production Industry
 'A
32nl
     EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project

-------

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Sector Notebook Project
                                                                 EPA/310-R-00-001
                  EPA Office of Compliance Sector Notebook Project

   Profile of the Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                 September 2000
                        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                Ariel Rios Building
                           1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
                               Washington, DC 20460
                     For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
                      Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: (202) 512-1800 Fax: (202) 512-2250
                             Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001
                                  ISBN 0-16-050742-1

-------

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
General Information
GENERAL INFORMATION

This report is one in a series of volumes published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to provide information of general interest regarding environmental issues associated with
specific industrial sectors. The documents were developed under contract by GeoLogics Corporation
(Alexandria, VA), Abt Associates (Cambridge, MA), Science Applications International Corporation
(McLean, VA), and Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc. (McLean, VA).  A listing of available Sector
Notebooks is included on the following page.

Obtaining copies:

Electronic versions of all sector notebooks are available via Internet on the Enviro$en$e World
Wide Web at www.epa.gov/oeca/sector.  Enviro$en$e is alfree, public, environmental exchange
system operated by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance and Office of Research
and Development. The Network allows regulators, the regulated community, technical experts, and
the general public to share information regarding: pollution prevention and innovative technologies;
environmental enforcement and compliance assistance; laws, executive orders, regulations, and
policies; points of contact for services and equipment; and other related topics. The Network
welcomes receipt of environmental messages, information, and data from any public or private
person or organization. Direct technical questions to the "Feedback" button on the bottom of the
web page.

Purchase printed bound copies from the Government Printing Office (GPO) by consulting the
order form at the back of this document or order via the Internet by visiting the on-line GPO Sales
Product Catalog-at http://orders.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/sale/prf/prf.html.  Search using the exact
title of the document "Profile of the XXXX Industry" or simply "Sector Notebook." When ordering,
use the GPO document number found on the order form at the back of this document.

Complimentary volumes are available to certain groups or subscribers, including public and
academic libraries;  federal, state, tribal, and local governments; and the media from EPA's National-
Service Center for Environmental Publications at (800) 490-9198.  When ordering, use the EPA
publication number found on the following page.

The Sector Notebooks were developed  by the EPA's Office of Compliance. Direct general questions
about the Sector Notebook Project to:

       Seth Heminway, Coordinator, Sector Notebook Project
       US EPA Office of Compliance
       Ariel Rios Building
        1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
       Washington, DC 20460
       (202)564-7017

For further information, and for answers to questions pertaining to these documents, please refer to
the contact names listed on the following page.
Sector Notebook Project
   September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                                    Table of Contents
                       SECTOR NOTEBOOK CONTACTS

Questions and comments regarding the individual documents should be directed to the specialists
listed below.  See the Notebook web page at:  www.epa.gov/oeca/sector for the most recent titles
and staff contacts.                                                    •
EPA Publication
     Number
EPA/310-R-95-001.
EPA/310-R-95-002.
EPA/310-R-95-003.
EPA/310-R-95-004.
EPA/310-R-95-005.
EPA/310-R-95-006.
EPA/310-R-95-007.
EPA/310-R-95-008.
EPA/310-R-95-009.
EPA/310-R-95-010.
EPA/310-R-95-011.
EPA/310-R-95-012.
EPA/310-R-95-013.
EPA/310-R-95-014.
EPA/310-R-95-015.
EPA/310-R-95-016.
EPA/310-R-95-017.
EPA/310-R-95-018.
EPA/310-R-97-001.
EPA/310-R-97-002.
EPA/310-R-97-003.
EPA/310-R-97-004.
EPA/310-R-97-005.
EPA/310-R-97-006.
EPA/310-R-97-007.
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
EPA/310-R-
•97-008.
•97-009.
•97-010.
•98-001.
•99-006.
00-001.
00-002.
EPA/310-R-00-003.
                 Industry
Profile of the Dry Cleaning Industry
Profile of the Electronics and Computer Industry*
Profile of the Wood Furniture and Fixtures Industry
Profile of the Inorganic Chemical Industry*
Profile of the Iron and Steel Industry
Profile of the Lumber and Wood Products Industry
Profile of the Fabricated Metal Products Industry*
Profile of the Metal Mining Industry
Profile of the Motor Vehicle Assembly Industry
Profile of the Nonferrous Metals Industry
Profile of the Non-Fuel, Non-Metal Mining Industry
Profile of the Organic Chemical Industry *
Profile of the Petroleum Refining Industry
Profile of the Printing Industry
Profile of the Pulp and Paper Industry
Profile of the Rubber and Plastic Industry
Profile of the Stone, Clay, Glass, and Concrete Ind.
Profile of the Transportation Equipment Cleaning Ind.
Profile of the Air Transportation Industry
Profile of the Ground Transportation Industry
Profile of the Water Transportation Industry
Profile of the Metal Casting Industry
Profile of the Pharmaceuticals Industry
Profile of the Plastic Resin and Man-made Fiber Ind.
Profile of the Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
Industry
Profile of the Shipbuilding and Repair Industry
Profile of the Textile Industry
Sector Notebook Data Refresh-1997 **
Profile of the Aerospace Industry
Profile of the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry
Profile of the Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Profile of the Agricultural Livestock Production
Industry
Profile of the Agricultural Chemical, Pesticide  and
Fertilizer Industry
 Contact
 Joyce Chandler
 Steve Hoover
 Bob Marshall
 Walter DeRieux
• Maria Malave
 Seth Heminway
 Scott Throwe
 Maria Malave
 Anthony Raia
 Debbie Thomas
 Rob Lischinsky
 Walter DeRieux
 TomRipp '
 Ginger Gotliffe
 Seth Heminway

 Scott Throwe
 Virginia Lathrop
 Virginia Lathrop
 Virginia Lathrop
 Virginia Lathrop
 Steve Hoover
 Emily Chow
 Sally Sasnett

 Rafael Sanchez
 Anthony Raia

 Seth Heminway
 Anthony Raia
 Dan Chadwick
 Ginah Mortensen
                                                                         Phone
                                                                        202-564-7073
                                                                        202-564-7007
                                                                        202-564-7021
                                                                        202-564-7067
                                                                        202-564-7027
                                                                        202-564-7017
                                                                        202-564-7013
                                                                        202-564-5027
                                                                        202-564-6045
                                                                        202-564-5041
                                                                        202-564-2628
                                                                        202-564-7067
                                                                        202-564-7003
                                                                        202-564-7072
                                                                        202-564-7017
                                                                        202-564-2310
                                                                        202-564-7013
                                                                        202-564-7057
                                                                        202-564-7057
                                                                        202-564-7057
                                                                        202-564-7057
                                                                        202-564-7007
                                                                        202-564-7071
                                                                        202-564-7074
202-564-
202-564-
202-564-
202-564-
202-564-
202-564-
913-551-
7028
6045
2310
7017
6045
7054
5211
                                                        Ginah Mortensen 913-551-5211

                                                        Michelle Yaras   202-564-4153
                                     Government Series
EPA/310-R-99-001.   Profile of Local Government Operations
                                                                        202-564-2310
*   Spanish translations available.
**  This document revises compliance, enforcement, and toxic release inventory data for all profiles published in 1995.
Sector Notebook Project
                                    11
                                                           September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Prpduction Industry
                          Table of Contents
                              Table of Contents

LIST OF EXHIBITS	v

LIST OF ACRONYMS	vi

I.  INTRODUCTION TO THE SECTOR NOTEBOOK PROJECT	 1
   LA.    Summary of the Sector Notebook Project	   1
   IB.    Additional Information	   2

E. INTRODUCTION TO THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES: CROPS,
   GREENHOUSES/NURSERIES, AND FORESTRY	   3
   II. A.   General Overview of Agricultural Establishments  	   4
   H.B.   Characterization of the Crop Production Industry		...   8
          H.B.1. Oilseed and Grain	  10
          II.B.2. Vegetables and Melons	  11
          E.B.3. Fruit and Tree Nuts	 .			  11
          H.B.4. Other Crops	  12
   E.G.   Characterization of the Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture
          Production Industry	   13
   II.D.   Characterization of the Forestry Production Industry	   15
          II.D.1. Definition of Forest Land	'.	'	15
          II.D.2. Consumption and Regeneration of Forest Products	   18
   II.E.   Geographic Distribution and Economic Trends	   19

IE. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS, IMPACTS, AND POLLUTION PREVENTION
   OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES:
   CROPS, GREENHOUSES/NURSERIES, AND FORESTRY	  21
   ffl.A.  Crop Production: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention Opportunities 25
          HI.A.1.   Preparing the Site/Soil for Crops	  27
          ELA.2.   Planting/Tending Crops	-  32
          m.A.3.   Applying Nutrients to Crops	  33
          m.A.4.   Applying Pesticides and Pest Control	  36
          IE.A.5.   Irrigating Crops	  43
          ffl.A.6.   Harvesting Crops and Post-Harvesting Activities	  47
          HI. A.7.   Maintaining and Repairing Agricultural Machinery
                    and Vehicles  	  49
          in.A.8.   Fuel Use and Fueling Activities	  52
          m.A.9.   Maintaining the Facility	• • • •	  53
   ELB.  Greenhouses and Nurseries: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention
          Opportunities	  56
          III.B.l.    Preparing the Soil/Growing Media for Horticulture Crops	  58
          HI.B.2.    Planting Horticulture Crops	  60
          HI.B.3.    Applying Nutrients to Horticulture Crops	  60
          III.B.4.    Applying Pesticides and Pest Control for Horticulture Crops 	  62
 Sector Notebook Project
111
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                           Table of Contents
          O.B.5.    Irrigating Horticulture Crops	  63
          m.B.6.    Tending and Harvesting Horticulture Crops	  65
          IH.B.7.    Constructing and Maintaining Greenhouses •	  66
          m.B.8.    Packaging, Loading, and Transporting Products	  67
          DI.B.9.    Maintaining and Repairing Machinery and Vehicles at
                    Greenhouses/Nurseries	  67
          m.B.lO.   Fuel Use and Fueling Activities at Greenhouses/Nurseries	  68
    EI.C.  Forestry Production Industry: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention
          Opportunities	:	  69
          DI.C.1.    Road Construction and Use	  71
          m.C.2.    Timber Harvesting	  75
          ELC.3.    Site Preparation	  80
          IH.C.4.    Forest Regeneration	  82
          m.C.5.    Prescribed Burning	  83
          m.C.6.    Application of Chemicals  	  86

 IV. SUMMARY OF APPLICABLE FEDERAL STATUTES AND REGULATIONS ...  89
    IV.A.  General Description of Major Statutes  .	  89
    rV.B.  Industry-Specific Requirements for the Agricultural Production Industries:
          Crops, Greenhouses/Nurseries, and Forestry	  107
    IV.C.  Proposed and Pending Regulations	.....:	  136

 V. COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HISTORY	  	  139
    V.A.   Background  .'	'.	  139
    V.B.   Compliance and Enforcement Profile Description	  139
    V.C.   Compliance History for the Agricultural Production Industries: Crops,
          Greenhouses/Nurseries, and Forestry	  143

 VI. REVIEW OF MAJOR LEGAL ACTIONS	  153

 VE. COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES	  155
    VH.A. Sector-Related Environmental Programs and Activities	  155
    Vlt.B. EPA Programs and Activities	,	  156
    Vn.C. USDA Programs and Activities	  160
    Vn.D. Other Voluntary Initiatives	  164
    Vn.E. Summary of Trade Associations 	,	  165

 VIE. CONTACTS/RESOURCE MATERIALS/BIBLIOGRAPHY	  169
Sector Notebook Project
IV
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                                   Table of Contents
                               LIST OF EXHIBITS

1.     Agricultural Land Use in the U.S	   4
2.     Types of Cropland	   5
3.   .  Acreage of Agricultural Establishments in the U.S	'.	   6
4.     Agricultural Establishments by Value of Sales	   6
5.     Ownership Status of Agricultural Establishments in the U.S	   7
6.     1997 NAICS Descriptions for Crop Production (NAICS 111) 	   8
7.     Number of Farms	•	   9
8.     Land in Acres vs. Acres of Harvested Cropland (in millions of acres)	   9
9.     Percent of Sales by Type of Establishment	  10
10.    Types of Grain Farms		  1°
11.    Noncitrus Fruit and Tree Nut Farms  	  11
12.    Total Acres vs. Acres Harvested of Other Crops (in thousands of acres) 	12
13.    Value of Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production Compared to Total Crop
       Production	•	  i4
14.    Values of Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production Sales	  14
15.    Distribution of U.S. Forested Land Area	  16
16.    Federal vs. Nonfederal Forest Lands	  16
17.    Timberland Ownership  	•	  17
18.    NFS Timber Sales, FY 1993-1998	•  18
19.    Acres Seeded and Acres of Tree Planting (FY 1996)  	  19
20.    Crop Production Activities, Raw Material Inputs, and Pollution Outputs	  26
21.    Greenhouse and Nursery Production Activities, Raw Material Inputs, and Pollution
       Outputs	•	  57
22.    Forestry Production Activities, Raw Material Inputs, and Pollution Outputs	  71
23.    Five-Year Enforcement and Compliance Summary for the  Agricultural Crop
       Production Industry	• • • •  145
24.    Five-Year Enforcement and Compliance Summary for the  Forestry
       Production Industry	• •  146
25.    Five-Year Enforcement and Compliance Summary for Selected Industries .....  149
26.    One-Year Enforcement and Compliance Summary for Selected Industries 	  150
27.    Five-Year Inspection and Enforcement Summary by Statute for
       Selected Industries	  151
 28.    One-Year Inspection and Enforcement Summary by  Statute for
       Selected Industries	  152
 Sector Notebook Project
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                           List of Acronyms
                              LIST OF ACRONYMS

 ACM        Asbestos-Containing Materials
 AFO         Animal Feeding Operations
 AFPA        American Forest Paper Association
 AFS         AIRS Facility Subsystem (CAA database)
 ANSI        American National Standards Institute
 BIF          Boiler and Industrial Furnace
 BLM         Bureau of Land Management
 BMP         Best Management Practices
 BOD         Biochemical Oxygen Demand
 Bt           Bacillus thuringiensis
 CAA         Clean Air Act
 CAAA       Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
 CCAP        Climate Change Action Plan
 CDA         Controlled Droplet Application
 CERCLA     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
 CERCLIS     CERCLA Information System (CERCLA database)
 CESQG      Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
 CFC         Chlorofluorocarbon
 CFO         Conservation Farm Option
 CFR         Code of Federal Regulations
 CNMP        Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan
 CPA         Conservation Priority Area
 CREP        Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
 CRP        Conservation Reserve Program
 CWA        Clean Water Act
 CWAP       Clean Water Action Plan
 CZARA     Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments
 DOT        United States Department of Transportation
 DOJ         United States Department of Justice
 DUN        Dun and Bradstreet
 EMS        Environmental Management Systems
 EPA         United States Environmental Protection Agency
 EPCRA      Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
 EQIP        Environmental Quality Incentives Program
 ESPP        Endangered Species Protection Program
 FDA        United States Food and Drug Administration
 FFDCA      Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
 FIFRA       Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
 FINDS       Facility Indexing System
 FQPA        Food Quality Protection Act
 FR          Federal Register
Sector Notebook Project
VI
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                           List of Acronyms
                      LIST OF ACRONYMS (CONTINUED)

FS          Forest Service
FSA         Farm Service Agency
FWS        Fish and Wildlife Service
FY          Fiscal Year
GPS         Global Positioning System
HAP        Hazardous Air Pollutant (CAA)
HSWA      Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
HUD        United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
IDEA       Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis
IPM         Integrated Pest Management
ISO         International Organization for Standardization
LDR        Land Disposal Restrictions (RCRA)
LEPC       Local Emergency Planning Committee
LQG        Large Quantity Generator
MACT      Maximum Achievable Control Technology (CAA)
MCL        Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG      Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MSDS       Material Safety Data Sheet
NAAQS     National Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAA)
NAICS      North American Industrial Classification System
NASS       National Agricultural Statistics Service
NCDB       National Compliance Database, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
             Substances
NCP        National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
NICE3       National Industrial Competitiveness Through Energy, Environment, and
             Economics
NO A        Notice of Arrival
NPS         Nonpoint Source Management Program
NESHAP    National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NFS         National Forest System
NOAA      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDES      National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (CWA)
NPL        National Priorities List
NRC        National Response Center
NRCS       Natural Resources Conservation Service
NSPS       New Source Performance Standards (CAA)
OECA      Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
- OMB       Office of Management and Budget
OSHA      Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCB        Polychlorinated Biphenyl
PCS         Permit Compliance System
 Sector Notebook Project
vn
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                            List of Acronyms
                      LIST OF ACRONYMS (CONTINUED)

 PESP        Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
 PMN        Premanufacture Notice
 POTW       Publicly Owned Treatment Works
 PWS         Public Water Systems
 RCRA       Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
 RCRIS       RCRA Information System (RCRA database)
 RMP         Risk Management Plan
 RQ          Reportable Quantities
 RUP         Restricted Use Pesticides
 SARA       Superfund Amendments  and Reauthorization Act
 SDWA       Safe Drinking Water Act
 SEP          Supplemental Environmental Project
 SERC        State Emergency Response Commission
 SIC          Standard Industrial Classification
 SIP          State Implementation Plan
 SPCC        Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure
 SQG         Small Quantity Generator
 TMDL       Total Maximum Daily Load
 TRI     '     Toxic Release Inventory
 TRIS         Toxics Release Inventory System
 TSCA      ,  Toxic Substances Control Act
 TSS          Total Suspended Solids
 UIC         Underground Injection Control (SDWA)
 USDA      U.S. Department of Agriculture
 UST         Underground Storage Tank (RCRA)
 WHIP       Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
 WPS        Worker Protection Standard Requirements for Users
 WRP        Wetlands Reserve Program
Sector Notebook Project
vm
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
   Introduction
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SECTOR NOTEBOOK PROJECT

I. A.    Summary of the Sector Notebook Project

             Environmental policies based upon comprehensive analysis of air, water and
             land pollution (such as economic sector, and community-based approaches)
             are becoming an important supplement to traditional single-media approaches
             to environmental protection. Environmental regulatory agencies are beginning
             to embrace comprehensive, multi-statute solutions to facility permitting,
             compliance assurance, education/outreach, research, and regulatory
             development issues.  The central concepts driving the new policy direction are
             that pollutant releases to each environmental medium (air, water and land)
             affect each other, and that environmental strategies must actively identify and
             address these interrelationships by designing policies for the "whole" facility.
             One way to achieve a whole facility focus is to design environmental policies
             addressing all media for similar industrial facilities.  By doing so,
             environmental concerns that are common to the manufacturing of similar
             products can be addressed in a comprehensive manner.  Recognition of the
             need to develop the industrial "sector-based" approach by the EPA Office of
             Compliance led to the creation of this document.

             The Sector Notebook Project was initiated by the Office of Compliance within
             the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) to provide its
             staff and managers with summary information for eighteen specific industrial
             sectors.  As other EPA offices, states, the regulated community, environmental
             groups, and the public became interested in this project, the scope of the
             original project was expanded. The ability to design comprehensive, common
             sense environmental protection measures for specific industries is dependent
             on knowledge of several interrelated topics. For the purposes of this project,
             the key elements chosen for inclusion are: general industry information
             (economic and geographic); a description of industrial processes; pollution
             outputs; pollution prevention opportunities; federal statutory and regulatory
             framework; compliance history; and a description of partnerships that have
             been formed between regulatory agencies, the regulated community and the
             public.

             For any given industry, each topic listed above alone could be the subject of a
              lengthy volume. However, to produce a manageable document, this project
              focuses on providing summary information for each topic. This format
             provides the reader with a synopsis of each issue, and references where more
              in-depth information is available.  Text within each profile was researched
              from a variety of sources, and was usually condensed from more detailed
              sources pertaining to specific topics.  This approach allows for a wide
              coverage of activities that can be explored further based upon the references
              listed at the end of this profile.  As a check on the information included, each
 Sector Notebook Project
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Introduction & Background
               notebook went through an external document review process. The Office of
               Compliance appreciates the .efforts of all those that participated in this process
               and enabled us to develop more complete, accurate and up-to-date summaries.

 I.B. Additional Information

        Providing Comments

               OECA's Office of Compliance plans to periodically review and update
               notebooks and will make these updates available both in hard copy and
               electronically. If you have any comments on the existing notebook, or if you
               would like to provide additional information, please send a hard copy and
               computer disk to the EPA Office of Compliance, Sector Notebook Project,
               401 M St., SW (2223-A), Washington, DC 20460. Comments can also be
               sent via the web page.

        Adapting Notebooks to Particular Needs

               The scope of the industry sector described in this notebook approximates the
               relative national occurrence of facility types within the sector. In many
               instances, industries within specific geographic regions or states may have
               unique characteristics that are not fully captured in these profiles.  For this
               reason, the Office of Compliance encourages state and local environmental
               agencies and other groups to supplement or repackage the information
               included in this notebook to include more specific industrial and regulatory
               information that may be available. Additionally, interested states may want to
               supplement the "Summary of Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations"
               section with state and local requirements. Compliance or technical assistance
              providers also may want to develop the "Pollution Prevention" section in more
              detail.  Please contact the appropriate specialist listed on the opening page of
              this notebook if your office is interested in assisting us in the further
              development of the information or policies addressed within this volume. If
              you are interested in assisting in the development of new notebooks, please
              contact the Office of Compliance at 202-564-2310.
Sector Notebook Project
        September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                               Introduction & Background
II. INTRODUCTION TO THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES:
    CROPS, GREENHOUSES/NURSERIES, AND FORESTRY

             This section provides background information on three types of agricultural
             production industries:

                    •      Establishments that produce crops, including oilseed and
                           grains, vegetables and melons, fruit and tree nuts, and other
                           crops

                    •      Greenhouses and nurseries

                    •      Establishments engaged in forestry and logging.
                                                     The Office of Management and
                                                     Budget (OMB) has replaced the
                                                     Standard Industrial Classification
                                                     (SIC) system, which was used to
                                                     track the flow of goods and
                                                     services within the economy, with
                                                     the NAICS. The NAICS, which is
                                                     based on similar production
                                                     processes to the SIC system, is
                                                     being implemented by OMB.
This section defines these industries in
terms of their North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes.
According to NAICS, establishments that
produce crops and greenhouses/nurseries
are classified in NAICS code 111 (Crop
Production).  Because
greenhouses/nurseries comprise a large
number of the entities in NAICS 111 and
are somewhat different in actual
practices, this notebook presents data and
information on them separately from
crop production.  Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production is
classified as NAICS code 1114. Establishments engaged in forestry are
classified in NAICS code 113 (Forestry and Logging).  The forestry
production industry has practices that differ significantly from those used for
crops and greenhouses/nurseries.

Establishments primarily engaged in crop production and forestry are
classified in subgroup(s), up to six digits long, based on the total value of sales
of agricultural products. An establishment would be placed in the group that
represents 50 percent or more of its total sales. For example, if 51 percent of
the total sales of an establishment is wheat, then it would be classified under
NAICS codes 1111 (Oilseed and Grain Farming) and 11114 (Wheat Farming).

Data for the notebook, specifically in this chapter, were obtained from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USD A) and the 1997 Agriculture Census (Ag
Census).  All data are the most recent publicly available data for the source
cited.
Sector Notebook Project
                                                        September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                Introduction & Background
 II. A. General Overview of Agricultural Establishments

              This section presents a general overview of agricultural establishments to
              provide background information regarding the number of such establishments
              and production data.  The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service
              (NASS) defines an agricultural establishment (i.e., farm) based on production.
              It defines a farm as a place which produced or sold, or normally would have
              produced or sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the year.
              Agricultural products include all products grown by establishments described
              in this profile, which are classified under NAICS codes 111,113, and  1114, as
              well as those in NAICS code 112 - Animal Production, which are covered in
              the Profile of the Agricultural Livestock Production Industry.

              According to the 1997 Ag Census, there were'more than 1.9 million farms
              (i.e., agricultural establishments) in the United States. Of these,
              approximately 47 percent (902,372 farms) were classified as NAICS code 111
              - Crop Production.  The other 53 percent (1,009,487 farms) were classified as
              NAICS code 112 - Animal Production. These 1.9 million agricultural
              establishments represent
                                             Exhibit 1.  Agricultural Land Use
                                                in the U.S. (1997 Ag Census)
nearly 932 million acres
of land, with the average
agricultural
establishment consisting
of 487 acres. (Note: 1
acre is approximately the
size of a football field.)
Both of these numbers—
932 million acres and
487 acres—are smaller
than those for 1992,
which were 946 million
acres and 491 acres,
respectively.

As shown in Exhibit  1,
of the 932 million acres
of agricultural land, the
overwhelming majority
(89%) consists of
cropland and
pastureland/rangeland.
                                                                46%
                                                                            3%
                                                   43%
                                                      Cropland
                                                      Pastureland/Rangeland
                                                      Woodland
                                                      Other         :
Sector Notebook Project
                            4
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                 Introduction & Background
                                                     Exhibit 2. Types of Cropland
                                                           (1997 Ag Census)
                                                          72%
                                                                              9%
                                                                       15%
                                                p»|  Cropland Harvested
                                                H  Cropland Pastured
                                                | |  Other Cropland (cover, crops failed, and summer fallow)
                                                |  Cropland Idle
As presented in Exhibit 2,
the 1997 Ag Census
describes cropland as:

•   Harvested cropland —
    Includes all acreage
    from which crops are
    harvested, such as:  (1)
    corn, wheat, barley,
    oats, sorghum,
    soybeans, cotton, and
    tobacco; (2) wild or
    tame harvested hay,
    silage, and green chop;
    and (3) vegetables.
    It also includes land in
    orchards and vineyards;
    all acres in
    greenhouses, nurseries,
    Christmas trees, and
    sod; and any other acreage from which a crop is harvested even if the crop
    is considered a partial failure and the yield is very low.

•   Cropland used only for pasture or grazing'— Includes land pastured or
    grazed which could be used for crops without any additional improvement,
    and land in planted crops that is pastured or grazed before reaching
    maturity.

•   Cropland used for cover crops — Includes land used only to grow cover
    crops for controlling erosion or to be plowed under for improving the soil.

•   Cropland on which all crops failed — Includes: (1) all land from which a
    crop failed (except fruit or nuts in an orchard, grove, or vineyard being
    maintained for production) and no other crop is harvested and which is not
    pastured or grazed, and (2) acreage not harvested due to low prices or
    labor shortages.

•   Cultivated summer fallow  — Includes cropland  left unseeded for harvest,
    and cultivated or treated with herbicides to control weeds, and conserve
    moisture.

•   Idle cropland — Includes any other acreage which could be used for crops
    without any additional improvement and which is not included in one of
    the above categories of cropland.
 Sector Notebook Project
                                                           September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                           Introduction & Background
               The 1997 Ag Census describes pastureland and rangeland as land, other than
               cropland or woodland pasture, that is normally used for pasture or grazing.
               This land, sometimes called "meadow" or "prairie," may be composed of
               bunchgrass, shortgrass, buffalo grass, bluestem, bluegrass, switchgrass, desert
               shrubs, sagebrush, mesquite, greasewood, mountain browse, salt brush, cactus,
               juniper, and pinion.  It also can be predominantly covered with brush or
               browse.
                                     Exhibit 3. Acreage of Agricultural Establishments
               As shown in Exhibit               »n the U.S. (1997 Ag Census)
               3, approximately 82                          ,
               percent of agricultural
               establishments in 1997
               consisted of fewer
               than 500 acres; only 4
               percent consisted of
               2,000 or more acres.
                                30%
                                              31%
              According to the 1997
              Ag Census, all
              agricultural
              establishments
              combined to produce
              approximately $197,
              billion worth of
              agricultural products.
         1-49 acres
         50-179 acres
         180-499 acres
            Exhibit 4. Agricultural Establishments
              by Value of Sales  (1997 Ag Census)
      500 - 999 acres
      1000-19999 acres
      2000 acres or more
                                        26%
              24%
                   15%
           < $2,500
           $2,500 - $9,999
           $10,000-$49,999
                                      23%
$50,000 - $99,999
$100,000-$499,999
$500,000 or more
The market value of the
agricultural products sold
was split almost evenly
between crop production,
including nursery and
greenhouse crops (49.6%)
and livestock production
(50.4%).

As shown in Exhibit 4,
approximately 73 percent
of all agricultural
establishments produced
less than $50,000 worth
of agricultural products.
Sector Notebook Project
                                   September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                    Introduction & Background
              In addition to tracking the number of agricultural establishments and the value
              of products sold, the Ag Census tracks and identifies other characteristics of
              agricultural establishments, such as ownership and organization. Exhibit 5
              presents a breakdown of the ownership status of agricultural establishments in
              the U.S. The Ag Census basically identifies the ownership status of
              agricultural establishments by one of three categories:
                     Full ownership, in
                     which full owners
                     operate only the land
                     they own.

                     Partial ownership, in
                     which partial owners
                     operate land they
                     own and also land
                     they rent from
                     others.

                     Tenant/rental
                     arrangement, in
                     which tenants
                     operate only land
                     they rent from others
                     or work on shares
                     for others.
Exhibit 5.  Ownership Status of Agricultural
         Establishments in the U.S.
              (1997 Ag Census)
               60%
                                 10%
                  30%
                 Full Ownership
                 Partial Ownership
                 Tenant
              The Census further classifies agricultural establishment ownership by the
              person or entity who owns the establishment.  There are four distinct types of
              organization: (1) individual or family (sole proprietorship); (2) partnership,
              including family partnership; (3) corporation, including family corporation,
              and (4) other, including cooperatives, estate or trust, and institutional.
              Approximately 86 percent of all establishments are owned and operated by
              individuals or families. Partnerships account for another 9 percent of the
              establishments and corporations own just more than 4 percent of the
              establishments.  Fewer than 1 percent of all farms are owned by other
              organizations.  (1997 Ag Census).
Sector Notebook Project
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Introduction & Background
II.B. Characterization of the Crop Production Industry

              This section provides data and information on the crop production industry.
              For the purposes of this profile, crop production includes the four categories
              of commodities presented in Exhibit 6. This notebook follows the structure
              provided by the 1997 Ag Census, which classifies all of these commodity
              production operations within NAICS code 111. Because the notebook is
              addressing greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture products separately in the
              next section, they are not included within this discussion.
              Exhibit 6. 1997 NAICS Descriptions for Crop Production (NAICS 111)
Type of
Establishment
Oilseed and Grain
Vegetables and
Melons
Fruits and Tree
Nuts
Other Crops
NAICS
Code
1111
1112
1113
1119
SIC Code
0116,0119
0134, 0139,
0161
0171,0172,
0173, 0174,
0175,0179
0131,0132,
0133,0139,
0191, 0831,
2099
Description
Establishments primarily engaged
in: 1) growing oilseed and/or grain
crops and/or 2) producing oilseed
and grain seeds. These crops have
an annual growth cycle and are
typically grown in open fields.
Establishments primarily engaged
in growing root and tuber crops
(except sugar beets and peanuts)
or edible plants and/or producing
root and tuber or edible plant
seeds. The crops included in this
group have an annual growth
cycle and are grown in open
fields.
Establishments primarily engaged
in growing fruit and/or tree nut
crops. The crops included in this
industry group are generally not
grown from seeds and have a
perennial life cycle.
Establishments primarily engaged
in: 1) growing crops (other than
those listed previously), such as
tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, hay,
sugar beets, peanuts, agave, herbs
and spices, and hay and grass
seeds, or 2) growing a
combination of these crops.
Sector Notebook Project
         September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                         Introduction & Background
                                               Exhibit 7.  Number of Farms
                                                     (1997 Ag Census)

                                                        55%
                                                  9%
                                                                    32%
         In 1997, there were
         845,180
         establishments
         producing the four
         categories of
         commodities
         referenced above.
         All these
         establishments
         combined covered
         nearly 400 million
         acres, of which more
         than half (236 million
         acres) was harvested       r
         cropland.  The             •
         average crop              p
         producing                 £
         establishment in 1997      *
         was approximately
         473 acres in size and averaged approximately 279 acres of harvested cropland.
          Of the 845,180 crop producing establishments, more than 50 percent
         (462,877) were classified as oilseed and grain farming (see Exhibit 7). Also,
         as shown in Exhibit 8, oilseed and grain farming accounted for the majority of
         the land in acres as well as harvested cropland.

Exhibit 8. Land in Acres  vs. Acres of Harvested Cropland (in millions of acres)
                          (1997 Agriculture Census)
                                            Oilseed and Grain Farming (NAICS 1111)
                                            Vegetable and Melon Farming (NAICS 1112)
                                            Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (NAICS 1113)
                                            Other (NAICS 1119)
 300 -f
             I               I                T
       Oilseed and Grain   Vegetable and Melon   Fruit and Tree Nut
                                                     Other
          Land in Acres
                                     [~]  Acres of Harvested Cropland
Sector Notebook Project
                                                                   September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                    Introduction & Background
  Exhibit 9. Percent of Sales by Type of
      Establishment (1997 Ag Census)
                 51%
      13%
                              22%
              14%
        [~]  Oilseed and Grain
        |  Vegetable and Melon
        P53  Fruit and Tree Nuts
             Other Crops
       In 1997, there were 462,877
       oilseed and grain establishments
       in the U.S.; 94,481 were oilseed
       establishments and 368,396 were
       grain establishments. As shown
       in Exhibit 10, corn-producing
       establishments comprise the
       majority of the grain
      'establishments in the U.S. On
       average, each grain-producing
       establishment is approximately
       671 acres. Of those,
       approximately 407 acres are
       harvested cropland.
     The four types of crop-producing
     establishments defined above accounted
     for approximately $87 billion worth of
     products sold in 1997. Exhibit 9 presents
     the distribution of those sales among the
     four types of establishments.

     II.B.l. Oilseed and Grain

     Oilseed and grain accounted for the
     majority of agricultural sales in the U.S.
     in 1997. For the purposes of the 1997 Ag
     Census, oilseed includes primarily
     soybeans, but also dry peas and beans,
     canola, flaxseeds, mustard seeds, oilseeds,
     rapeseeds, safflower, sesame seeds, and
     sunflowers.  Grain includes wheat, corn,
     rice, and other grains such as barley,
     broomcorn, buckwheat, milo, oats, rye,
     sorghum, and wild rice. These grains are
     considered both food and feed grains,
     meaning they may be used either in food
     production or as feed for livestock.

       Exhibit 10. Types of Grain Farms
               (1997 Ag Census)
              36%
                                  14%
                        48%
                Wheat Farms
                Corn Farms
                Rice Farms
                Other Grain Farms
Sector Notebook Project
10
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                   Introduction & Background
II.B.2. Vegetables and Melons
              Vegetable and melon farming accounts for 31,030 establishments, or just less
              than 4 percent of the total crop-producing establishments in the U.S. An
              average vegetable and melon establishment consists of approximately 330
              acres, of which approximately 170 acres are harvested cropland. Potato
              farming is the largest subgroup within vegetable and melon farming. It
              comprises nearly 12 percent of all vegetable and melon farms. The average
              potato-producing establishment has approximately 981 acres; approximately
              730 of these acres are harvested cropland.
II.B.3. Fruit and Tree Nuts
              Fruit and tree nut farming comprised the third largest group of crop-producing
              establishments combining for 81,956 establishments. This category is
              basically broken into two categories: 1) citrus fruits, and 2) noncitrus fruits
              and tree nuts. Citrus-producing establishments (i.e., groves) accounted for
              12,275 establishments, or approximately 15 percent of all fruit and tree nut
              establishments. Noncitrus fruits and tree nuts, which include apples, grapes,
              strawberries, other berries, tree nuts, and other noncitrus fruits, comprised the
              remainder of the establishments (69,681) in 1997. (Tree nuts include
              almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and pistachios.) The
              percentages of noncitrus fruit and tree nut establishments are presented in
              Exhibit 11.
              hi 1997, the average fruit
              and tree nut establishment
              was 127 acres, with
              approximately half of
              those acres being
              harvested.  Orange groves
              accounted for more than
              75 percent of all citrus
              fruit establishments.
              Florida dominates citrus
              fruit production, except for
              lemons. Noncitrus fruits
              are grown across the
              country. Tree nuts are
              grown primarily in
              California and Hawaii.
       Exhibit 11. Noncitrus Fruit
           and Tree Nut Farms
             (1997 Ag Census)
        79%
                               19%
              Noncitrus Fruit Farms
              Tree Nut Farms
              Combination
 Sector Notebook Project
11
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                     Introduction & Background
 II.B.4. Other Crops
               The category of Other Crops comprised the second largest group of crop-
               producing establishments in the U.S. in 1997. A total of 269,317 farms were
               classified as NAICS code 1119 - Other Crops Farming. These other crops
               include tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, and hay, as well as other specialty crops
               such as honey and sugarbeets. Of the 269,317 other crop farms, 52 percent
               were classified as hay farms. Tobacco farms accounted for 24 percent of these
               establishments and cotton-producing establishments represented 7 percent.
               Sugarcane farms accounted for less than 1 percent of all establishments in this
               category.  The remaining 17 percent were classified in the All Other Crops
               category.

               These establishments combined for a total land area of approximately 94
               million acres, or approximately 349 acres per establishment. The average
               number of acres harvested was 164 acres.  Exhibit 12 provides a comparison
               of total acres to acres harvested for other crops.
                 Exhibit 12.  Total Acres vs. Acres Harvested of Other Crops
                          (in thousands of acres) (1997 Ag Census)
                Tobacco      Cotton     Sugarcane

                   H   Total Acres
             Hay     All Other Crops

            Acres Harvested
Sector Notebook Project
12
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                    Introduction & Background
       II.C.   Characterization of the Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture
              Production Industry

              Although the greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture industry is classified under
              NAICS code 111, this profile separates it into its own section because its
              practices and environmental impacts are different from those associated with
              the crops discussed in Section II.B.

              In 1997, according to the Ag Census, there were 57,192 farms classified as
              NAICS code 1114, which is Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture
              Production. This industry group consists of establishments that primarily
              grow crops of any kind under cover and/or grow nursery stock and flowers.
              "Under cover" is generally defined as in greenhouses, cold frames, cloth
              houses, and lath houses.  The crops grown are removed at various stages of
              maturity and have annual and perennial life cycles.  The nursery stock includes
              short rotation woody crops that have growth cycles of 10 years or less.

              Of the 57,192 establishments classified as NAICS 1114, 97 percent were
              nursery and floriculture production (NAICS code 11142). The remaining 3
              percent were classified as NAICS code 11141 - food crops grown under cover.
              Within the nursery and floriculture classification, there are two distinct
              categories:

              •      Nursery and tree production, which consists of establishments
                    primarily engaged in growing nursery products, nursery stock,
                    shrubbery, bulbs, fruit stock, and sod, and those engaged in growing
                    short rotation woody trees with a growth and harvest cycle of 10 years
                    or less for pulp or tree stock, such as Christmas trees, under cover or in
                    open fields.

              •      Floriculture production, which consists of establishments primarily
                    engaged in growing and/or producing floriculture products, such as cut
                    flowers, cut cultivated greens (e.g., leatherleaf ferns, chamaedorea,
                    etc.), potted flowering and foliage plants, and flower seeds, under
                    cover or in open fields.

              hi 1997, there were 33,935 nursery and tree production establishments and
              21,824 floriculture establishments. These establishments combined for total
              sales of nearly $10 billion, or approximately 10 percent of the total value of all
              crops sold in 1997. The average size of nursery and tree production
              establishments is nearly 92 acres, with an average of approximately 35 acres
              being harvested cropland. Floriculture production establishments average 35
              acres in size with approximately one-third of that acreage being harvested
              cropland. California and Florida account for the majority of the
              establishments, as well as sales, in the floriculture industry.
Sector Notebook Project
13
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                             Introduction & Background
              Exhibits 13 and 14
              show the value of
              greenhouse,
              nursery, and
              floriculture
              production
              compared to total
              crop production,
              and the value of
              greenhouse,
              nursery, and
              floriculture
              production sales,
              respectively.
   Exhibit 13. Value of Greenhouse, Nursery, and
   Floriculture Production Compared to Total Crop
             Production (1997 Ag Census)
89% ($86.8 billion)
                                       11% ($10.9 billion)
                                          Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production
                                          Remainder of Crop Production
                     Exhibit 14. Values of Greenhouse, Nursery, and
                              Floriculture Production Sales
                                     (1997 Ag Census)
                                               45%
                                                          10%
                                   45%
                    KX   Nursery and Tree Production
                    |~~|   Floriculture Production
                    •   Food Crops Grown Under Cover (Greenhouse)
Sector Notebook Project
        14
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                      Introduction & Background
 II.D. Characterization of the Forestry Production Industry

               This section pertains to the forestry industry as classified within NAICS code
               113 - Forestry and Logging. As defined by NAICS, industries in this sector
               grow and harvest timber on a long production cycle (i.e., 10 years or more).
               Long production cycles use different production processes than short
               production cycles, which require more horticultural interventions prior to
               harvest, resulting in processes more similar to those found in the previous
               sections of this profile.  The three subsectors included within NAICS code 113
               are:

               •       Timber tract operations (NAICS code 1131), which consist of
                      establishments engaged in operating timber tracts for the purpose of
                      selling standing timber.

                      Forest nurseries and gathering of forest products (NAICS code
                      1132), which primarily engage in growing trees for reforestation and
                      gather forest products, such as gums, barks, balsam needles, rhizomes,
                      fibers, Spanish moss, ginseng, and truffles.

                     Logging (NAICS code 1133), which consists of establishments
                     primarily engaged in cutting timber, cutting and transporting timber,
                     and producing wood chips in the field.

              Industries usually specialize in different stages of the production cycle, as
              indicated by the three NAICS codes.  Reforestation requires production of
              seedlings in specialized nurseries.  Timber production requires natural forest
              or suitable areas of land that are available for a long duration. The harvesting
              of timber (except when done on an extremely small scale) requires specialized
              machinery unique to the industry. Establishments gathering forest products,
              such as gums, barks, balsam needles, rhizomes, fibers, Spanish moss, and
              ginseng and truffles, are also included in this industry.

ILD.l.  Definition of Forest Land

              The U.S. Forest Service defines a forested area as "forest land" if it is at least
              one acre in size and at least 10 percent occupied by forest trees  of any size or
              formerly having had such tree cover and not currently developed for non-
              forest use.  (Examples of non-forest uses include areas for crops, improved
              pasture, residential areas, and other similar areas.)  Forest land includes
              transition zones, such as areas between heavily forested and nonforested lands
              that are at least 10 percent stocked with forest trees and forest areas adjacent
              to urban and built-up lands (36 CFR 219).,
Sector Notebook Project
15
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                    Introduction & Background
              In the United States, there are approximately 736.7 million acres of forest
              land. The distribution of this forest land among geographic regions is
              presented in Exhibit 15.,
                        Exhibit 15.  Distribution of U.S. Forested Land Area
Geographic
Region
Northeast
North Central
Pacific Northwest
Pacific Southwest
Great Plains
Southeast
South Central
Rocky Mountains
Total
Total Land Area
(in thousands of acres)
126,816
286,764
469,093
103,934
194,299
147,419
387,104
547,918
2,263,347
Forested Acres
(in thousands)
85,380
83,108
177,611
.39,011
4,232
88,078
123,760
135,499
736,679
Percent
Forested
67
29
38
38
2
60
32
25

Source: American Forest and Paper Association (AFP A), 1995
              Federal Versus Nonfederal
              Forest Lands
              Of the 736.7 million acres,
              approximately 249.1 million
              acres (or 33.8 percent) are
              owned by the federal
              government. The remaining
              487.6 million acres are
              owned by nonfederal
              entities, such as state or local
              governments, private
              citizens, or companies (see
              Exhibit 16).
     Exhibit 16. Federal vs. Nonfederal
        Forest Lands (AFPA 1995)
                                                  66.2%
                            33.8%
                                                        Federal Forest Land
                                                        Nonfederal Forest Land
Sector Notebook Project
16
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                 Introduction & Background
              Approximately 57 percent of all productive forest land in the U.S. is owned by
              9.3 million non-industrial private landowners. These 353 million acres of land
              produce more than half of the nation's wood supply (AFP A, 1995).

              The majority of federal forest land is managed as the national forest system
              (NFS). The NFS includes:

                     •       National forest lands reserved from the U.S. public domain.

                     •       National forest lands acquired through purchase, exchange,
                            donation, or other means.

                     •       National grasslands.

                            Other lands, waters, or interests administered by the U.S.
                            Forest Service (FS) or designated for administration through
                            the FS as part of the system.

              The NFS contains 191 million acres, or 77 percent, of federal forest lands.
              (The remaining federal forest lands are managed by the Bureau of Land
              Management, the National Park Service, and other federal agencies.)  The
              NFS is contained in 43 states and creates about 500,000 private sector jobs.
              Of the remaining nonfederal forests, privately held commercial forest lands
              make up the largest portion accounting for 347 million acres (71 percent).
                                              Exhibit 17. Timberland Ownership
                                                          (AFPA 1995)
                                                         59%
Timberlands. Two-thirds of U.S. forest lands, or almost 490 million acres,
are classified as timberlands. Timberlands are defined as forest lands used for
the production of
commercial wood products.
Commercial timberland can
be used for repeated
growing and harvesting of
trees. Seventy percent of
timberlands are located in
the East (AFPA, 1995).
Exhibit 17 presents
additional information about
timberland ownership.  Of
the 490 million acres of
timberland, federal, state,
and local governments own
131 million acres (27
percent) and non-industrial
private entities own 288
million acres (59 percent).
                                                                          14%
                                                                20%
                                                      Private Non-Industrial Entities
                                                      Other Public Entities
                                                      National Forests
                                                      Forest Industry
Sector Notebook Project
                            17
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                    Introduction & Background
              Private timberlands are mostly on small tracts of forest land. Only 600,000
              landowners have holdings larger than 100 acres (AFPA, 1995).  The forest
              products industry owns about 70 million acres (14 percent) of commercial
              timberland. One-third of the nation's annual timber harvest is from these
              forests (AFPA, 1995).

II.D.2. Consumption and Regeneration of Forest Products

              The United States is the world's leading producer and consumer of forest
              products (e.g., paper products) and accounts for approximately one-fourth of
              the world's production and consumption (AFPA, 1995). The United States is
              also the world's largest producer,of softwood and hardwood lumber.
              Specifically for timber, in 1996, total annual sales for commercial (i.e.,
              nonfederal) timber and nontimber forest products were approximately $3.8
              billion. Timber alone accounted for approximately 69 percent of those sales.

              hi fiscal year 1998, the NFS sold approximately 174 million cubic feet (or 870
              million board feet) of timber valued at approximately $80 million. NFS
              timber sales from the past 6 years are presented in Exhibit 18. Also in fiscal
              year 1998, BLM sold 43.7 million cubic feet (or 261 million board feet) of
              timber. (A value was not provided for the BLM timber sales.)
                           Exhibit 18. NFS Timber Sales, FY 1993-1998
                                     (from U.S. Forest Service)
Fiscal Year
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Approx. Volume
(million cubic feet)
250
177
240
212
195
174
Value
$192,942,739
$125,340,385
$140,460,250
$125,226,853
$123,681,846
$80,195,720
Sector Notebook Project
18
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                     Introduction & Background
                            Exhibit 19.  Acres Seeded and Acres
                                of Tree Planting (FY 1996)
                                  ^^^fc       ^^0
                                     National Forest System
                                     Other Federal Land
                                     Non-federal Public Land
                                     Private Land

              Exhibit 19 provides a breakout of where regeneration efforts occurred. To
              replenish the forests, more than 2.4 million acres in the U.S. were either
              seeded or planted with trees in government fiscal year 1996 (October 1995 -
              September 1996). The overwhelming majority of the regeneration efforts
              occurred on private lands where nearly 2.1 million acres were seeded or
              planted.

II.E. Geographic Distribution and Economic Trends

              According to the 1997 National Resource Inventory (NRI), some changes have
              occurred in land use. Since 1982, federal land increased by 4.6 million acres,
              nonfederal rural land decreased by 36.7 million acres, and developed land
              increased by nearly 30 million acres. Cropland acreage, classified as irrigated,
              non-irrigated, cultivated, or non-cultivated acreage, nationally decreased by
              45.9 million acres between 1982 and 1997. Rangeland decreased by 12.4
              million acres and pastureland decreased by almost 14 million acres.
              Generally, a  shift has occurred in irrigated agriculture from west to east across
              the country.

              The distribution of prime farmland by land cover/use has also changed in the
              past 15 years. There were 330.6 million acres of prime farmland in 1997,
              which was down 11.7 million acres from 1982. Most (64 percent) of the
              prime farmland is in cropland, but large amounts are in pastureland (35.5
              million acres) and forest land (47.7 million acres).
Sector Notebook Project
19
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                     Introduction & Background
              For more information from the 1997 NRI, please visit the website
              http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/NRI/1997.  Additional information on the
              geographic distribution of the crop production industries and their economic
              trends is very extensive and available through many sources. National and
              state-specific information can be accessed through the Internet from the 1997
              Agriculture Census at http://www.nass.usda.gov/census/ and the National
              Agriculture Statistics Service at http://www.usda.gov/nass/.
Sector Notebook Project
20
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                         Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                                      & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS, IMPACTS, AND POLLUTION PREVENTION
     OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES:
     CROPS, GREENHOUSES/NURSERIES, AND FORESTRY

             This section provides an overview of commonly employed operations and
             maintenance activities in the agricultural production industries of crops,
             greenhouses/nurseries, and forestry. This discussion is not exhaustive; the
             operations and maintenance activities discussed are intended to represent the
             material inputs, major pollution outputs, and associated environmental
             impacts from these agricultural production practices. General pollution
             prevention and waste minimization opportunities are also discussed in the
             context of each of the operations and maintenance activities.

             The choice of practices or operations influences the material used and the
             resulting pollution outputs,and environmental impacts.  Keep in mind that
             environmental impacts are relative, as some kinds of pollution outputs have
             far greater impacts than others.

       Impact of Agriculture on the Environment
                                                     The Clean Water Act Plan of
                                                     1998 called for the development
                                                     of the EPA/USDA Unified
                                                     National Strategy for AFOs to
                                                     minimize the water quality and
                                                     public health impacts of AFOs.
According to the EPA/USDA Unified
National Strategy for Animal Feeding
Operations (March 9, 1999), despite
progress in improving water quality, 40
percent of the Nation's waterways
assessed by States  do not meet goals for
fishing, swimming, or both. While
pollution from factories and sewage
treatment plants has been dramatically
reduced, the runoff from city streets, agricultural activities, including AFOs,
and other sources continues to degrade the environment and puts
environmental resources (i.e., surface water, drinking water) at risk.
According to EPA's  1996 305(b) water quality report, the top two pollutants
from agriculture were identified as sediment and nutrients, respectively.
Additional agricultural pollutants, such as animal wastes, salts, and pesticides,
were identified by EPA1. The following presents a brief discussion of the
environmental impacts of effects of agricultural pollutants.

(1)    Nutrients.  Excess nutrients in water (i.e., phosphorus and nitrogen)
       can result in or contribute to low levels of dissolved oxygen (anoxia),
        1 Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources ofNonpoint Pollution in Coastal
 Waters, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, January 1993.
 Sector Notebook Project
                           21
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                     Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                                  & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              (2)
              (3)
 eutrophication, and toxic algal blooms. These conditions may be
 harmful to human health and ecosystems; may adversely affect the
 suitability of the water for other uses; and, in combination with other
 circumstances, have been associated with outbreaks of microbes such
 as Pfiesteria piscicida.

 —     Phosphorus. Phosphorus determines the amount of algae
       growth and aging that occurs in freshwater bodies. Runoff and
       erosion can carry some of the applied phosphorus to nearby
       water bodies.

 —     Nitrogen. In addition to eutrophication, excessive nitrogen
       causes other water quality problems. Dissolved ammonia at
       ' concentrations above 0.2 mg/L may be toxic to fish.
       Biologically important inorganic forms of nitrogen are
       ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite.  Ammonium becomes adsorbed
       to the soil and is lost primarily with eroding sediment. Even if
       nitrogen is not in a readily available form as it leaves the field,
       it can be converted to an available form either during transport
       or after delivery to water bodies. Nitrogen in the form of  .
       nitrate, can contaminate drinking water supplies drawn from
       groundwater. Nitrates  above 10 ppm in drinking water are
       potentially dangerous, especially to newborn infants.

Sediment. Sediment affects the use of water in many ways. Suspended
solids reduce the amount of sunlight available to aquatic plants, cover
fish spawning areas and food supplies, clog the filtering capacity of
filter feeders, and clog and harm the gills offish. Turbidity interferes
with the feeding habits of fish. These effects combine to reduce fish
and plant populations and decrease the overall productivity of waters.
In addition, recreation is limited because of the decreased fish
population and the water's unappealing, turbid appearance. Turbidity
also reduces visibility, making swimming less safe.

Animal Wastes.  Animal waste includes the fecal and urinary wastes of
livestock and poultry; process water (such as from a milking parlor);
and the feed, bedding, litter, and soil with which  fecal and urinary
matter and process water become intermixed. Manure and wastewater
from animal feeding operations have the potential to contribute
pollutants such as nutrients  (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), organic
matter, sediments, pathogens, heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics, and
ammonia to the environment.  Decomposing organic matter (i.e.,
animal waste) can reduce oxygen levels and cause fish kills. Solids
Sector Notebook Project
                     22
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    .deposited in water bodies can accelerate eutrophication through the
                     release of nutrients over extended periods of time.

                     Contamination of groundwater can be a problem if runoff results from
                     the misapplication or over application of manure to land or if storage
                     structures are not built to minimize seepage.  Because animal feed
                     sometimes contains heavy metals (e.g., arsenic, copper, zinc), the
                     possibility for harmful accumulations of metals on land where manure
                     is improperly or over applied is possible.

              (4)    Salts. Salts are a product of the natural weathering process of soil and
                     geologic material. In soils that have poor subsurface drainage, high salt
                     concentrations are created within the root zone where most water
                     extraction occurs. The accumulation of soluble and exchangeable salts
                     (i.e., metal compounds in the soil that can chemically change) leads to
                     soil dispersion (i.e., movement of soil in air and water), structure
                     breakdown, decreased infiltration, and possible toxicity; thus, salts
                     often become a serious problem on irrigated land, both for continued
                     agricultural production and for water quality considerations.  High salt
                     concentrations in streams can harm freshwater aquatic plants just as
                     excess soil salinity damages agricultural crops.

              (5)    Pesticides.  The primary pollutants from pesticides are the active and
                     inert ingredients, diluents, and any persistent degradation products.
                     Pesticides and their degradation products may enter groundwater and
                     surface water in solution, in emulsion, or bound to soils. Pesticides
                     may, in some instances, cause impairments to the uses of surface
                     waters and groundwater. Both the degradation and sorption
                     characteristics of pesticides are highly variable.  Some types of
                     pesticides are resistant to degradation and may persist and/or
                     accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. Pesticides may harm the
                     environment by eliminating or reducing populations of desirable
                     organisms, including  endangered species.

                     At a crop production  establishment, pesticides may be applied directly
                     to crops or to structures (e.g., barns, housing units) to control pests,
                     including parasites, vectors (i.e., an organism, such as a mosquito or
                     tick, that carries disease-causing microorganisms from one host to
                     another), and predators. Potential  contamination from pesticides is
                     generally greatest when rainfall is intense and occurs shortly after
                     pesticide application, a condition during which water runoff and soil
                     losses are also greatest. Pesticides can be transported to receiving
                     waters either in dissolved form or attached to soil. Dissolved
                     pesticides may be leached into groundwater supplies.
 Sector Notebook Project
23
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                      People, wildlife, and the environment can also be exposed to pesticide
                      residues in the form of spray drift.  Spray drift is the physical
                      movement of a pesticide through air at the time of application or soon
                      thereafter, to any site other than that intended for application. A
                      number of factors influence spray drift including weather conditions,
                      topography, the crop or area being sprayed, and application equipment
                      and methods.

                      Pesticides are both suspected and known for causing immediate and
                      delayed-onset health hazards for humans. If exposed to pesticides,
                      humans may experience adverse effects, such as nausea, respiratory
                      distress,  or more severe symptoms up to and including death. Animals
                      and birds impacted by pesticides can experience similar illnesses or
                      develop other types of physical distress.

        Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization  Opportunities in Crop Production,
        Greenhouses/Nurseries, and Forestry
                                                                    \
              The best way to  reduce pollution is to prevent it in the first place. Industries
              have creatively implemented pollution prevention techniques that improve
              operations and increase profits while minimizing environmental impacts. This
              can be done in many ways such as reducing material inputs* reusing
              byproducts, improving management practices, and employing substitute toxic
              chemicals.

              To encourage these approaches, this section provides general descriptions of
              some pollution prevention advances  that have been implemented within the
              agricultural production industries for crops, greenhouses/nurseries, and
              forestry. While the list is not exhaustive, it does provide core information that
              can be used as the starting point for establishments interested in beginning
              their own pollution prevention projects. This section provides information
              from real activities that may be or are being implemented by this sector.
              When possible, information is provided that gives the context in which the
              technique can be effectively used.  Please note that the activities described in
              this section do not necessarily apply to all facilities that fall  within this sector.
              Facility-specific conditions must be carefully considered when pollution
              prevention options are evaluated, and the full impacts of the change must
              examine how each option affects air, land, and water pollutant releases.

              The use of pollution prevention technologies and environmental controls can
              substantially reduce the volume and concentration of the contaminants
              released/discharged into the surrounding environment. In some cases, these
              pollution prevention approaches may be economically beneficial to the
Sector Notebook Project
24
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              agricultural production industries because they decrease the amount of
              chemicals needed, and therefore the cost of maintaining operations.

              Waste minimization generally encompasses any source reduction or recycling
              that results in either the reduction of total volume or the toxicity of hazardous
              waste.  Source reduction is a reduction of waste generation at the source,
              usually within a process. Source reduction can include process modifications,
              feedstock (raw material) substitution, housekeeping and management
              processes, and increases in efficiency of machinery and equipment. Source
              reduction includes any activity that reduces the amount of waste that exits a
              process.  Recycling refers to the use or reuse of a waste as an effective
              substitute for a commercial product or as an ingredient or feedstock in an
              industrial process.

              It should be noted that as individual practices, these pollution prevention and
              waste minimization practices can significantly reduce the environmental
              impacts of agricultural operations. However, to get the full effect of the
              practices and maximize pollution prevention potential, an agricultural
              operation must consider its individual practices in the context of a system.
              The practices,  ranging from preparing the soil for planting to harvest and post-
              harvest activities, combine to form an integrated system in which each
              practice interacts with the others and is affected by the others. That is, outputs
              from one practice may be inputs into one of the other practices, in effect
              creating a closed-loop system that both maximizes profits and minimizes
              environmental impacts. By considering their establishments as systems,
              operators will be better able to evaluate and implement pollution prevention or
              waste minimization opportunities.

III.A.  Crop Production: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention Opportunities

              The production of crops generally includes the following activities:

                     •      Preparing the site/soil for crops
                     •      Planting/tending crops
                     •      Applying and storing nutrients
                     •      Pest control
                     •      Irrigating crops
                     •      Harvesting crops and post-harvesting activities
                     •      Crop field residue destruction
                     •      Maintaining equipment and vehicles
                     •      Fuel use and fueling activities
                     •      Maintaining the site
Sector Notebook Project
25
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                    Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                                & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                The additional activities,of planning and management are required for all of
                the above processes to occur.  Exhibit 20 presents the raw material inputs and
                pollution outputs from each of these processes.
                  Exhibit 20. Crop Production Activities, kawMaterial Inputs,
                                 and Potential Pollution Outputs
           Activity
      Raw Material Input
Potential Pollution Output
  Preparing the site/soil,
  including tilling, drainage
  and erosion control
  structures, and adjusting soil
  pH
   Mulch, seeds, and water
   Alkaline material
   Water
 Air emissions (e.g., smoke and
 dust)
 Sediment, nutrient and pesticide
 runoff from soil erosion
 Spilled material or excessively
 applied material
  Planting/tending
—  Seed, seedlings
 Air emissions (e.g., dust,
 emissions from planting
 equipment)
 Sediment, nutrient, pesticide
 runoff from soil erosion
 Plants, branches, leaves, etc.
  Applying and storing
  nutrients (e.g., fertilizers,
  manure, biosolids)
   Organic nutrients
   Chemicals
   Water
 Runoff and leaching of unused
 or misapplied nutrients
 Chemical air emissions
 Odor
 Applying pesticides and pest
 control
   Pesticides (including insecticides,
   rodenticides, fungicides, and
   herbicides)
 Runoff and leaching of unused
 or misapplied pesticides
 Chemical air emissions
 Irrigating (not including
 nutrient application)
   Water
   Chemicals
 Air emissions
 Potential runoff and leaching of
 materials (e.g., manure,
 chemicals, pesticides) from
 saturated areas
 Harvesting/post-harvesting
 activities, including
 harvesting; washing,
 processing, packaging,
 loading, and transporting
 products; and destroying
 crop residue
   Water
   Corrugated cardboard
   Paper
   Plastic and fabric packaging
   materials
 Unusable or spilled products
 Worker exposure to pesticides
 Organic- and pesticide-
 contaminated wastewater
 Discarded packaging materials
Sector Notebook Project
                  26
               September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                   Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                               & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                 Exhibit 20. Crop Production Activities, Raw Material Inputs,
                               and Potential Pollution Outputs
          Activity
      Raw Material Input
  Potential Pollution Output
 Maintaining and repairing
 agricultural machinery and
 vehicles
   Oil
   Lubricating fluid
   Fuel
   Coolants
   Solvents
   Tires
   Batteries
   Equipment parts
   Used oil
   Spent fluids
   Spent batteries
   Metal machining wastes
   Spent organic solvents
   Tires
   Air, surface water, and soil
   pollution resulting from spills
   and/or releases of fluids
   Groundwater pollution resulting
   from spills or releases of fluids
   and discharges to Class V wells
 Fuel use and fueling
 activities
-  Fuel
   Air emissions from machinery
   Air, water, soil, and
   groundwater pollution resulting
   from spills
 Maintaining the site:

 (1) Providing water,
 including drinking water and
 water used for personal
 hygiene

 (2) Managing PCBs (i.e.,
 PCBs in generators and
 equipment)
 (3) Renovation/demolition
-  Water
   PCB-containing oils and
   equipment
   Asbestos
   Lead
—  Contaminated water supply
—  Spills or releases of PCBs
   Airborne asbestos fibers
   Lead-based paint, dust, and
   chips
   Soil contamination
III.A.1.  Preparing the Site/Soil for Crops

               Prior to planting crops, the site/soil must be prepared. Site/soil preparation
               can involve tilling the soil or chemical cultivation, building drainage and
               erosion control structures, and adjusting soil pH.

               Preparing the Soil by Tilling or Chemical Cultivation

               Tilling aerates the soil, allows seeds/seedlings to be placed in the soil, and
               helps roots take hold of the soil.  It also improves drainage and allows for
Sector Notebook Project
                 27
                 September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              better assimilation of nutrients and pesticides into the soil. Tillage methods
              generally consist of intensive/conventional, reduced tillage, and conservation
              tillage.  The difference in the tillage methods is the amount of soil disturbed
              and the amount of crop residue allowed to remain during the current planting.

              •      Intensive/conventional tillage is sometimes conducted in two phases -
                     primary tillage with a moldboard plow followed by secondary tillage
                     with a power tiller or disc harrow. Intensive/conventional tillage can
                     range from complete tillage of the entire field to tillage that allows 15
                     percent of the crop residue to remain.

              •      Reduced tillage consists of disturbing from 15 to 30 percent of the soil
                     and crop residue.

              •      Conservation tillage methods are designed to reduce the loss of soil
                     erosion caused by wind and water. Conservation tillage methods allow
                     30 percent or more of the soil and crop residue to remain undisturbed
                     and thus reduce soil erosion by water and/or maintain at least 1,000
                     pounds per acre of flat, small grain residue to reduce soil erosion by
                     wind.  Common conservation tillage methods are no-till, strip-till,
                     ridge-till, and mulch till.

                     —     No-till has minimal soil disturbance since the seed is planted
                            with essentially no tillage of the soil and no disturbance of the
                            crop residue.

                     —     Strip-till involves tillage of a narrow strip of soil and planting
                            of the seed or seedling in that tilled area.

                     —     Ridge-till methods disturb a narrow strip of soil that was
                            created during previous cultivation.  The crop is planted on the
                            ridge and  the crop residue remains between each ridge.

                     -     Mulch-till involves disturbing the entire soil surface and then
                            applying a crop protection product and/or cultivation2.

              In addition to tilling, soil may be prepared for planting by chemical
              cultivation. Chemical cultivation includes the application of a systematic
              herbicide to kill weeds and grasses.
       2 1998 Crop Residual Management Survey Executive Summary, Top 10 Conservation
Tillage Benefits, Conservation Tillage Information Center.
Sector Notebook Project
28
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The primary pollution output from preparing soil for planting is soil
                     erosion.  Erosion can reduce the productivity of the soil and increase
                     the need for additional fertilizer and other inputs. Sediments and other
                     pollutants (e.g., nutrients, pesticides) that are transported offsite may
                     eventually enter surface waters, settle out, and cause degradation of the
                     water quality.  When it settles, the sediments fill interstitial spaces in
                     lake bottoms or streambeds. - They can eliminate essential habitat,
                     cover food sources and spawning sites, smother bottom-dwelling
                     organisms, and be detrimental to many species offish. Sediment
                     deposition also reduces the capacity of stream channels to carry water
                     and of reservoirs to hold water. This decreased flow and storage
                     capacity can lead to increased flooding and decreased water supplies.

                     Sediments can also be suspended in surface waters, which causes
                     increased water turbidity. Water turbidity limits the depth to which
                     light can penetrate and adversely affecting aquatic vegetation
                     photosynthesis. Suspended sediments can also damage the gills of
                     some fish species, causing them to suffocate. Turbid waters tend to
                     have higher temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen concentrations.
                     Decreased dissolved oxygen levels can kill aquatic vegetation, fish,
                     and benthic invertebrates.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention opportunities arise from the use of
                     reduced or conservation tillage methods, which reduce soil erosion and
                     maintain the existing soil structure (the way the soil particles clump
                     together into larger, almost crystalline, units). Advantages of
                     conservation tillage include:

                     i/'    Greater water retention/reduced water usage and energy used
                           for pumping (by increasing the water retention capacity of
                           irrigated soils, there may be opportunities to lengthen periods
                           between irrigation events, thereby saving energy that would
                           otherwise have been used for pumping irrigation water).

                     v'    Reduced erosion of sediment and runoff of nutrients.

                     ^    Reduced fuel use due to reduced equipment use.

                     */"    Reduced wind erosion resulting in less dust.
Sector Notebook Project
29
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     S      Shading which reduces weed growth and subsequent herbicide
                            use. The effectiveness of shading is dependent on the type of
                            crop and distance between plants.

                     S      Prevention of the growth of some molds that have a much
                            lower overwinter survival if not incorporated into the soil.

                     S      Crop residues left undisturbed provide habitats for many
                            beneficial insects and spiders that help control crop predators
                            (e.g., cereal leaf beetle), thereby reducing the need for
                            insecticides. In addition, crop residues help speed the
                            decomposition process and aid plant nutrient cycling.

                     One possible disadvantage of conservation tillage methods is the
                     carryover of pests (e.g., weeds, diseases, and some insects) in the crop
                     residue. This may result in a subsequent increased use of pesticides
                     and increased level of pesticides in runoff.

              Building Drainage and Erosion Control Structures

              Erosion control practices are necessary for agricultural operations to control
              runoff and reduce the amount of soil erosion caused by that runoff. In areas
              with good drainage, crops are better able to use nutrients and chemicals and
              will benefit from these optimum growing conditions. When building erosion
              control structures, newly-graded soil surfaces may be stabilized with mulch
              prior to the establishment of a vegetative cover.

              To establish good drainage, one or a combination of drainage and erosion
              control structures can be built and used depending on the site characteristics
              (e.g., slope, crop type, or climate).  These structures include:

              •      Diversions. Diversions are vegetated channels across the slope that
                     intercept surface runoff and redirect it along a gradient to a controlled
                     outlet. Diversions can reduce the amount of soil/sediment and related
                     pollutants delivered to surface waters.

              •      Grassed -waterways. Grassed waterways, which are  shaped or graded
                     to  specified dimensions, are used for the stable conveyance of runoff.
                     Grassed waterways can reduce soil erosion in areas:, such as gullies or
                     ephemeral gullies, with concentrated flows.

                     Water and sediment control basins. Water and sediment control basins
                     are constructed to collect and store debris or sediment.  They detain
 Sector Notebook Project
30
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     runoff, allowing the sediment to settle out in the basin before the water
                     is discharged to a waterway.

                     Filter strips. Filter strips are vegetated areas that are used to trap
                     sediment, organic matter, and other pollutants that are carried in
                     runoff.  While filter strips require frequent maintenance and have
                     relatively short service lives, they are generally effective in removing
                     pollutants when a shallow sheet flow is passed through the vegetated
                     areas.

                     Riparian buffers. Herbaceous or forest riparian buffers are areas of
                     grasses, shrubs, or trees placed upgrade from waterways  and water
                     bodies.  These buffers prevent or minimize damage to surface waters
                     by containing eroded sediment,  chemicals, nutrients, and organics. In
                     addition, buffers reduce the amount of these pollutants that leach into
                     shallow groundwater.

                     Terracing and contouring.  Terracing and contouring are practices that
                     both use sloped surfaces to reduce or control soil erosion. Terracing
                     involves shaping an area  so that it is sloped, and contouring involves
                     moving soil in an area so that it is sloped.

                     Drainage tiles.  Surface and subsurface drainage tiles are  often used to
                     remove standing water from fields and direct them to more structured
                     erosion control  measures.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     As described above for tilling, soil erosion and its impact to surface
                     waters is a significant environmental concern and the primary pollution
                     from building drainage structures. Wetlands, the interface between
                     terrestrial and aquatic systems, are particularly susceptible to impacts
                     from runoff and soil erosion. Such impacts include damage to
                     watershed hydrology and water quality, and the habitat for many
                     animal and plant species.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention opportunities of drainage and erosion
                     control structures are the minimization of soil erosion and the
                     reduction of runoff which transports nutrients, sediments, and
                     pesticides to the environment.
Sector Notebook Project
31
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                            Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                                        & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                                                     Preventing or controlling erosion is
                                                     based on two main concepts: (1)
                                                     disturb the smallest area of land
                                                     possible for the shortest period of
                                                     time, and (2) stabilize the disturbed
                                                     soils to prevent erosion from
                                                     occurring.     ]
       Drainage and erosion controls
       can reduce the amount of
       sediment that is transported
      .offsite in runoff. Any of the
       drainage and erosion control
       structures described above can
       be used to reduce soil erosion
       and transport.  Additional
       examples of erosion control
       structures or activities include: field borders; grade, stabilization
       structures; sediment retention ponds; reestablished wetlands;
       immediate seeding, mulch/mats, and sodding to stabilize exposed soil
       surfaces; wind erosion controls; and scheduled grading and shaping
       (e.g., construction of diversions) during dry weather.

Adjusting the Soil pH

Adjusting the soil pH helps ensure the soil contains the proper characteristics
to maximize crop production. Many crop producers add materials to soil to
achieve a soil pH that maximizes crop production. Typically, alkaline
materials, such as lime, lime sulfur, caustic soda, caustic potash, soda ash,
magnesia, and dolomitic lime, are added to increase the pH in acidic soils.

       Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
       The adjustment of soil pH typically results in little to no pollution
       outputs and generally has little to no environmental impacts.
       However, impacts to surface waters could occur if spilled or
       misapplied alkaline materials are carried in runoff.

       Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
       The primary pollution prevention opportunities for this activity include
       properly storing the materials used to adjust pH to  minimize spills, and
       applying these materials in a manner that minimizes runoff.
III.A.2.  Planting/Tending Crops
              Planting involves the placement of seeds or seedlings into the soil. This
              activity can be conducted either by hand (in small operations) or mechanically.
              Tending the product involves any post-planting activities designed to
              maximize crop production at harvest. Tending may involve hand labor (e.g.,
              hoeing or pruning) or machine labor.
Sector Notebook Project
                            32
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     Pollution outputs from planting crops include air emissions,
                     particularly dust, and wastes such as seed bags. The planting process
                     is often combined with other operations, such as tilling or
                     fertilizer/pesticide application, which can pollute surface waters and
                     groundwater from runoff and leaching, respectively. Tending activities
                     that disturb the soil may result in soil erosion, the impacts of which are
                     similar to those previously discussed under tilling.  Tending may also
                     produce wastes (e.g., plant branches or other parts).

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Air emissions from planting activities can be minimized by properly
                     maintaining farm machinery.  Sections in.A.7 details how to operate
                     and maintain farm vehicles and machinery in an environmentally
                     responsible manner.

                     By buying seeds in greater bulk, farms can reduce the volume of seed
                     bags that must be disposed of.  Also, certain innovative methods of
                     collecting and dispersing seeds are now available that eliminate the
                     need for bags.
III.A.3. Applying Nutrients to Crops
              During various phases of crop production, nutrients such as nitrogen,
              phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients are applied to crops to enhance
              crop growth. Nutrient use has been encouraged by the adoption of high-
              yielding seeds that are more responsive to nutrient application. Therefore,
              nearly all acres planted with crops are treated with one or more sources of
              nutrients, such as fertilizers, manure, and/or biosolids.

              Nutrients are applied directly to plants or the soil surface, incorporated or
              injected into the soil, or applied with irrigation water. Nutrient application
              methods are mechanically intensive, requiring coverage of vast areas.
              Fertilizers maybe solids, liquids, or gasses and, depending on the state of the
              product, may be applied'using specialized trucks, tractors pulling sprayer
              equipment, or pressurized tanks to apply anhydrous ammonia.  Techniques
              used to apply fertilizer include:

              •      Band placement is used to locate the fertilizer in an optimum position
                    relative to the seed. This increases the potential for full utilization of
                    the fertilizer by the crop and minimizes salt injury to the developing
                    roots.
Sector Notebook Project
33
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Broadcast application refers to the practice of distributing the product
                     uniformly over the soil surface. This method is preferred for lawns
                     and forage and pasture crops and is the most common method used for
                     crops. Tractors, airplanes, and helicopters are all used to broadcast
                     fertilizers.

                     Manure injection refers to the application of anhydrous ammonia.  At
                     normal pressure, anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a gas. For application
                     as a fertilizer, it is pressurized to form a liquid. Because it is a volatile
                     liquid, it is incorporated into the soil as a liquid under pressure to a
                     depth of 15 to 25 cm. In the soil, NH3 is converted to NH4+, which is
                     stable.  Gaseous ammonia is lost if soil pH increases much above 7, or
                     as moisture fluctuates from field capacity. Liquid manure may be
                     subsurface injected.

                     Addition of fertilizer to irrigation water (i.e., fertigation) is a common
                     practice in some areas and is usually part of a drip irrigation system
                     that can apply water and fertilizer to a precise predetermined location.

                     Manure and biosolids may be applied to the soil surface as a solid
                     from a tractor-pulled box-type manure spreader as it makes passes
                     across the field. Slurry manure and biosolids are generally applied to
                     the soil surface by tractor-pulled or truck flail spreaders or to the
                     subsurface by tractor or truck injection equipment. Liquid manure
                     may be surface irrigated or subsurface injected. Manure and biosolid
                     solids and slurries may be mechanically incorporated into the soil
                     following application.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     There are several potential pollution outputs and environmental
                     impacts from nutrient application and spills including runoff and
                     leaching of nutrients which can contaminate surface water and
                     groundwater; air emissions; and increases in the amount of soluble
                     salts in soils. Runoff and leaching of nutrients typically occur when
                     nutrients are applied excessively or improperly. Excessive amounts of
                     soluble salts in the soil can prevent or delay seed germination, kill  or
                     seriously retard plant growth, and possibly render soils and
                     groundwater unusable.

                     The degree of environmental impacts can depend on the application
                     method. The surface application of fertilizer, manure, or biosolids is
                     more likely to result in runoff than injection. Non-composted surface-
                     applied manure will volatilize and release ammonia to the air. Spills
Sector Notebook Project
34
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    of nutrients may also negatively impact the environment since they
                    will be concentrated in one specific area.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                    There are several pollution prevention techniques that can be used to
                    reduce pollution arid impacts from nutrient application. These include:

                    i/     Application methods that prevent runoff (e.g., application by
                           injection).

                    «/     Restricting application in close proximity to surface waters.

                    «/     Applying nutrients at agronomic (scientifically determined)
                           rates to crops/cropland.

                    i/     Managing the site to eliminate erosion or reduce the runoff
                           potential.

                    «/^     Developing and implementing nutrient management plans.
                           The primary purpose of nutrient management is to achieve the
                           level of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) required to
                           grow the planned crop by balancing the nutrients that are
                           already in the soil with those from other sources (e.g., manure,
                           biosolids, commercial fertilizers) that will be applied. At a
                           minimum, nutrient management can help prevent the
                           application of nutrients at rates that will exceed the capacity of
                           the soil and the planned crops to assimilate nutrients and
                           prevent pollution.

                           A site-specific nutrient management plan should be developed
                           prior to planting, reviewed annually, and updated  as needed.
                           The plan, which will direct the application of one or more
                           nutrients to the cropland, may include:

                           •      Soil and field maps that show  setbacks and buffers, as
                                  well as wetland and groundwater maps.
                           •      Crops and rotations.
                                  Soil tests.
                           •      The calculated nutrient loading for each field.

                           Additional plan components may consist of manure and
                           biosolid test results; projected manure production, storage, and
Sector Notebook Project
35
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            treatment; commercial fertilizer needs; application rates; and
                            the method and timing of application.

                            Soils, manure, and wastewater should be tested to determine
                            nutrient content. Retesting should be completed following
                            each significant change in the manure/biosolids source or
                            manure waste management system.

                     i/'     Precision farming. One of the more advanced technologies
                            for improving nutrient application efficiency is known as
                            precision farming. Typically used by larger operations,
                            precision farming allows farmers to know their location in the
                            field via  a Global Positioning System (GPS) so that
                            applications can be made according to a predetermined rate for
                            that specific location.  Precision farming may result in more
                            precise applications of nutrients so there is little or no excess
                            leached to groundwater or washed to surface waters.

III.A.4.  Applying Pesticides and Pest Control

              Pesticides (e.g., insecticides, herbicides, fungicides) may be applied during all
              phases of crop production, including  during harvesting and post-harvesting
              activities. For crop production, pesticides prevent insects and other pests,
              including weeds and other unwanted  plants, from harming crops. Pesticide
              use has been encouraged by continuous cropping, which has created favorable
              pest habitats in certain crops.

              Pesticide application methods for crops are mechanically intensive, requiring
              coverage of vast areas. Pesticides are applied directly to the plant or soil
              surface, incorporated into the soil, or injected as a gas through fumigation.
              One of the most common methods of applying pesticides to crops is liquid
              spraying.  Liquid spraying may be conducted by aircraft, tractor spray rigs, or
              blasters.
                     Aerial methods are the
                     most common application
                     type with about two-thirds
                     of all insecticides and
                     fungicides applied in this
        Citrus groves may be aerially treated 10
        to 20 times per season with insecticides,
        fungicides, and protectant oils.
                     manner.
                            Helicopters are often used because the turbulence from the
                            main rotor tends to push the pesticides down toward the crop.
Sector Notebook Project
36
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
              Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     -      Fixed-wing aircraft are more commonly used in crops such as
                            wheat and cotton.

                     Tractor spray rigs are often used to apply herbicides in row crops
                     because planting, fertilizing, and spraying can be accomplished in one
                     pass through the field.

              •      Blasters are used for applying insecticides and fungicides to tree crops.

              Other than the Agency's ultra-low volume exemption, concentrated pesticides
              must be applied according to label directions including any requirement to
              mix with a diluent or water. The mixing and subsequent loading into the
              application vehicle must be conducted in a contained area.

              Biopesticides. Biopesticides (also known as biological pesticides) are certain
              types of pesticides derived from, such natural materials as animals, plants,
              bacteria, and certain minerals. At the end of 1998, there were approximately
               175 registered biopesticide active ingredients and 700 products. Biopesticides
               fall into three major classes:

                     Microbialpesticides contain a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium,
                     fungus, virus, or protozoan) as the active ingredient. These pesticides
                     can kill many different kinds of pests. For example, there are fungi
                     that control weeds, other fungi that control cockroaches, and  bacteria
                     that control plant diseases.  The most widely used microbial pesticides
                     include various types of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. Bt
                     acts by producing a protein that kills the larvae of specific insect pests.
                     One kind of Bt can control specific insects in cabbage, potatoes, and
                     other crops, while another type of Bt kills mosquitoes. Based on
                     available information, the bacterium appears to have no adverse effects
                     on humans or the environment. However, additional data are needed
                     to ensure that products containing this bacterium are safe for honey
                     bees, wasps, fish, and aquatic invertebrates.

               •      Plant pesticides are pesticidal substances that plants produce from
                      genetic material that has been added to the plants. For example,
                      scientists can introduce the gene for the Bt pesticidal protein into a
                      plant's genetic material. The plant will then manufacture the
                      substance that destroys the pest. Both the Bt protein and its genetic
                      material are regulated by EPA; the plant itself is not regulated.
 Sector Notebook Project
37
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
               •      Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances that control
                     pests by nontoxic mechanisms,  hi contrast, conventional pesticides are
                     synthetic materials that usually kill or inactivate the pest. Biochemical
                     pesticides include substances, such as pheromones, that interfere with
                     the growth or mating of a pest. Because it is sometimes difficult to
                     determine whether a natural pesticide controls the pest by a nontoxic
                     mode of action, EPA has established a committee to determine
                     whether a pesticide meets the criteria of a biochemical pesticide.

               Some of the advantages of using biopesticides are:

                     They are inherently less harmful than conventional pesticides.

               •      They generally affect only the target pest and closely related
                     organisms.

               •      They are often effective in very small quantities and often decompose
                     quickly, thereby resulting in lower exposures and largely avoiding the
                     pollution problems caused by conventional pesticides.

              To use biopesticides effectively, users should have a solid understanding of
              how to manage pests. When used as a component of integrated pest
              management (IPM) programs, biopesticides can greatly decrease the use of
              conventional pesticides, while still allowing crop yields to remain high.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     Environmental impacts most likely result from pesticide applications
                     that are not conducted according to label directions.  Potential
                     pollution outputs and environmental impacts from pesticide
                     application may include:

                     •       Runoff or leaching of pesticides to surface water or
                            groundwater.  Pesticides incorporated into soil may leach into
                            the groundwater. Soil fumigants will include releases to
                            groundwater through leaching.  Pesticides applied through
                            chemigation, in which the pesticide is combined and applied
                            with irrigation water, may be released to surface water through
                            runoff or to groundwater through leaching.

                     •       Air emissions. The application of pesticides using spray
                            systems is more likely to involve releases to air. Soil fumigants
                            will include releases to air through volatilization.
Sector Notebook Project
38
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities •
                            Spills to soil and surface waters. The impacts of spills maybe
                            more significant since the spilled materials will be concentrated
                            in one specific area.

                            Potential human exposure and residue levels that exceed
                            tolerance on animals and products.  Pesticides are both
                            suspected and known for causing immediate and delayed-onset
                            health hazards for humans. If exposed to pesticides, humans
                            may experience adverse effects, such as nausea, respiratory
                            distress, or more severe symptoms up to and including death.
                            To help reduce this potential exposure, tolerance levels have
                            been established  for residues on agricultural products. Animals
                            and birds impacted by pesticides can experience similar
                            illnesses or develop other types of physical distress. Following
                            label directions for application, protective gear, and disposal
                            will help ensure such environmental impacts do not occur.

                            Pesticides  that are applied to water-saturated soils or highly
                            alkaline soils may not degrade  as quickly as those applied
                            properly or with the appropriate pH additive.  When pesticides
                            do not degrade, or do not bond with the plant or soil surface,
                            they are more likely to be released to the environment through
                            runoff.

                            If not protected with backflow  prevention devices, pesticides
                            applied through spray systems that are connected to water
                            supplies can siphon back to the water source and potentially
                            contaminate drinking water systems. Also, improperly cleaned
                            and disposed pesticide containers may cause releases to the soil
                            and/or surface waters.

                            Outputs from pesticide applications can inhibit crop production
                            through the resurgence of pests after treatment, occurrence of
                            secondary pest outbreaks, and development of pesticide
                            resistance in target pests. In addition, the control of insects by
                            broad-spectrum insecticides  also destroys beneficial insect
                            populations. Populations of many previously innocuous
                            species may then increase rapidly and cause major economic
                            damage.

                            Crop losses have occurred when pesticides were applied
                            improperly or drifted from a treated crop to nearby susceptible
                            crops; when excess residues  prevent crops from being planted
 Sector Notebook Project
39
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            in rotation or inhibit the growth of susceptible crops; and when
                            excessive residues of pesticides accumulate on crops, causing
                            the harvested products to be unmarketable.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Environmental impacts from pesticides are minimized by following
                     label directions for application, and preventing or minimizing their use
                     wherever possible. Pesticide use accounts for a substantial portion of
                     farm production costs. By reducing their use, agricultural
                     establishments cannot only reduce production costs, but also reduce
                     environmental impacts of their operations.

                     Pesticide use and impact can also be minimized by using integrated
                     pest management approaches, new technologies, efficient application
                     methods, controls, and basic preventive measures. Examples of these
                     are presented below.

                     i/     Integrated pest management (IPM). IPM is an effective and
                            environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that
                            relies on a combination of common sense practices. IPM
                            programs use current, comprehensive information on the life
                            cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This
                            information, in combination with available pest control
                            methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most
                            economical means, and with the least possible hazard to
                            people, property, and the environment.

                            Crop management is a vital part of IPM because it may reduce
                            the concentration of pests. Crop rotation can help prevent
                            disease buildup. Rotation is particularly important when
                            conservation tillage methods are used. For grain crops, other
                            methods include planting of hybrid plants that are resistant to
                            leaf blights and stalk rot, plowing under chopped corn stalks
                            and leaves (which can kill some overwintering disease fungi,
                            but also may promote the growth of others that live below the
                            surface), and maintaining good drainage. An IPM plan should
                            indicate that when a pesticide is needed, and its selection is
                            based on persistence, toxicity, and leaching and runoff potential
                            such that the most environmentally friendly pesticide is used.

                    »^      Precision farming. One of the more advanced  technologies
                            for improving nutrient and pesticide  application efficiency is
                            known as precision farming. Typically used by larger
Sector Notebook Project
40
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                           operations, precision farming allows farmers to know their
                           location in the field via a Global Positioning System (GPS) so
                           that applications can be made according to a predetermined rate
                           for that specific location. Precision farming may result in more
                           precise applications of nutrients and pesticides so there is little
                           or no excess leached to groundwater or washed to surface
                           waters.

                           Controlled droplet application (CDA).  CDA produces spray
                           droplets that are relatively uniform in size and allows the
                           applicator to control droplet size, hi contrast, conventional
                           spray nozzles produce droplets that vary widely from small
                           droplets that may drift or evaporate before reaching the target,
                           to large droplets that concentrate too much of the pesticide in
                           one spot.  CDA improves the efficiency of pesticide
                           application, thus reducing overall pesticide use and cost, hi
                           addition,  CDA may require less than one  gallon of water per
                           acre, compared with 20-30 gallons per acre with most
                           conventional herbicide sprayers. CDA also provides time and
                           fuel savings as well as less soil compaction. (Cornell
                           University, Dr. Russel R. Hahn, Controlled Droplet
                           Application)

                            Chemigation. Another method of more efficient pesticide
                            application is chemigation.  Chemigation systems are irrigation
                            systems that are designed for chemical application by injection
                           with the irrigation water.  The systems provide reduced water
                            pollution by allowing prescription chemical applications to be
                            made.  If chemicals are applied frequently and only in amounts
                            required by the irrigated crop, the presence of excessive
                            amounts  are avoided, thus preventing leaching from occurring.
                            (University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, 1993)

                            Erosion  control devices. To control pesticide losses to surface
                            water, a farm should control erosion and  reduce the volume of
                            runoff water that leaves the field or farm. Practices such as
                            conservation tillage, terraces, strip-cropping, and contouring
                            reduce runoff and control erosion. Sediment basins, farm
                            ponds, and wetlands  contain or trap sediments.  Keeping the
                            chemicals in the field or trapping them in biologically active
                            areas (e.g., ponds or wetlands) provides the opportunity for
                            microorganisms to degrade the pesticides, eventually rendering
                            them harmless.
 Sector Notebook Project
41
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
              & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                             Basic preventive measures. Waste minimization strategies
                             for pesticides include:

                             —      Buy only the amount needed for a year or a growing
                                    season.

                             —      Minimize the amount of product kept in storage.

                             —      Calculate how much diluted pesticide will be needed
                                    for a job and mix only that amount.

                             -      Apply pesticides with properly-calibrated equipment.

                             —      Use all pesticides in accordance with label instructions.

                             —      Purchase pesticide products packaged in such a way as
                                    to minimize disposal problems.

                             —      Work with the state to locate a pesticide handler who
                                    can use the excess pesticide.

                             -     Return unused product to the dealer, formulator, or
                                   manufacturer.

                            —     Implement setbacks from wellheads for application and
                                   storage.

                            —     Use contact pesticides that do not have to be
                                   incorporated into the soil.

                            —     Use row banding application techniques, where
                                   appropriate, to limit the amount of pesticide applied.

                                   If possible, choose nonleachable pesticides labeled for
                                   the crop and pest. Nonleachable pesticides are
                                   considered those that are less likely to migrate from
                                   their target crop.
Sector Notebook Project
42
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                            Summary of Operations, Impacts,
                                        & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III.A.5.  Irrigating Crops
                                                             Irrigation transports water
                                                             to crops primarily for
                                                             growth, but also to ease the
                                                             shock following transplant
                                                             and to keep the crops cool
                                                             in arid or excessive heat
                                                             conditions.
Irrigation has always been a component of crop
production and provides many benefits. Over
the past 150 years, the practice of irrigation has
increased dramatically, increasing the number
of farmable acres, producing consistent and
often higher yields, and making agriculture
possible in areas previously unsuitable for
intensive crop production.
              In addition to these recognized benefits of irrigation, other factors have
              contributed to the increase in its use. Investment in equipment to transport
              water for agricultural use has been stimulated by federal policies. Such
              policies have included high commodity support prices, tax incentives that
              include investment credits, and accelerated depreciation for equipment, water
              depletion allowances, and low interest rates.

              In the western United States, irrigation has been encouraged by federal law,
              which has  provided subsidized irrigation water to western growers for nearly a
             .century. As this and other subsidy programs have declined, the number of
              irrigated acres has decreased. However, in the eastern states that have not
              received direct water subsidies in the past, the number of irrigated acres is
              expected to increase.

              There are many different irrigation systems, all of which are designed to move
              water from its source to where it can be used for crop production. Irrigation ...
              water is typically obtained from pumping groundwater or surface waters from
              onsite sources or from offsite sources such as rivers, pipelines, canals and
              aqueducts  that are operated by irrigation districts and  private water companies.
              Irrigation methods may consist of flood, stationary, and traveling systems.

              •      Flood systems allow the water to gravity sheet flow across the
                    cropland.

              •      Stationary systems include subsurface drip or  trickle systems and
                    aboveground systems, which are permanently piped and may or may
                    not have spray heads.

              •      Traveling systems may be center pivot, linear-move, hard-hose, or
                    cable-tow. Irrigation systems such as the center pivot and linear-move
                    usually have multiple spray heads (guns). Hard-hose and cable-tow
                    systems usually have a single spray head.
Sector Notebook Project
                            43
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The potential pollution outputs from irrigation include runoff and
                     leachate contaminated with pollutants (e.g., nutrients and pesticides)
                     and salinization. Water depletion is one of the significant
                     environmental impacts of irrigation. Irrigation can deplete surface
                     water supplies, not only from the removal of water from these sources
                     to use for irrigation, but also from the  reduced volume of water
                     returning to surface water due to evaporation losses. Irrigation can
                     also deplete groundwater supplies. Water tables have fallen,
                     particularly in drier western states, because of large volumes of
                     groundwater being used for irrigation. Not only has this resulted in
                     less water for agriculture and other uses, it has also resulted in an
                     increase in the cost of water for all users. Land subsidence of up to 10
                     feet has resulted in some areas because of groundwater withdrawals
                     occurring at rates that exceeded groundwater recharge.

                     Irrigation contributes to the movement of nutrients and pesticides into
                     surface waters and groundwater, particularly in sandy soils.  The
                     impacts of pollutants (e.g.,  nutrients, pesticides, and sediments) from
                     irrigation-induced runoff are similar to those discussed in Section
                     Mineralization and salinization of soils are additional impacts of
                     irrigation.  Irrigation water, whether from groundwater or surface water
                     sources, has a natural base load of dissolved mineral salts. As the
                     water is consumed by plants or lost to the atmosphere by evaporation,
                     the salts remain and become concentrated in the soil.  This is referred
                     to as the "concentrating effect." The total salt load carried by irrigation
                     return flow is the sum of the salt remaining in the applied water plus
                     any salt picked up from the irrigated land.  Irrigation return flows
                     provide the means for conveying the salts to the surface water or
                     groundwater supplies. If the amount of salt in the return flow is low in
                     comparison to the total stream flow, water quality may not be degraded
                     to the extent that use is impaired.  However, if the process of water
                     diversion for irrigation and the return of salinated water is repeated
                     many times along a surface water, water quality will be progressively
                     degraded for downstream irrigation use as well as for other uses. In
                     the western states, major aquifers have been depleted or destroyed
                     through salinization, or when withdrawals exceeded recharge rates.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     There are several pollution prevention opportunities for irrigating
                     crops. First, minimizing the use of irrigation will reduce erosiojn,
Sector Notebook Project
44
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    runoff, groundwater depletion, and salinization.  It can also save
                    money by reducing the costs associated with irrigation. Other
                    pollution prevention techniques include:

                    ^     Using well-designed irrigation systems. A common cause of
                           environmental impacts from irrigation is poor system design.
                           Poorly designed systems may apply water nonuniformly,
                           allowing some areas to become oversaturated while others do
                           not receive adequate water. Areas not adequately irrigated may
                           suffer yield or quality reductions, while overirrigated areas may
                           suffer from the leaching of chemicals.

                    y     Using efficient irrigation systems. There are several types of
                           efficient irrigation systems, including surge irrigation systems
                           and drip irrigation systems.

                           —      With surge irrigation, water is sent through the furrows
                                  between each row of crops. Rather than sending all the
                                  water at once, small amounts are sent in bursts.  In this
                                  manner, erosion is reduced, more water reaches the  •
                                  plant, and less runoff of irrigated water occurs.

                           —      In drip irrigation, plants are watered directly from the
                                  irrigation source. While drip irrigation conserves water,
                                  by watering only the plants' fruits and the soil
                                  immediately around them, drip irrigation can also lead
                                  to soil erosion.  If drip irrigation is the sole method
                                  used, the soil between rows of crops remains dry, thus
                                  making it more susceptible to wind erosion.

                    The Texas Agricultural Extension Service has found irrigation
                    efficiency for surge irrigation up to 90 percent and drip irrigation to be
                    up to 98 percent. These systems significantly reduce the amount of
                    irrigation water that can runoff to surface waters, thus reducing
                    pollution. Conventional systems have a much lower efficiency rate.
                    The efficiency of all methods can be improved by varying application
                    volumes as water tables rise and fall.
Sector Notebook Project
45
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                                Calculating Fuel Use Efficiency for Irrigation Pumps
                       The Texas Agricultural Extension Service has developed a program to
                       determine the efficiency of various irrigation methods. The program
                       calculates a pumping plant's fuel use efficiency performance and compares it
                       to a given standard.  The program also calculates the fuel cost per acre-inch
                       pumped and fuel cost savings if a pumping system is brought up to the
                       performance standard. The program can be used to evaluate the pumping
                       performance and fuel cost for the following fuels: (1) electricity, (2) natural
                       gas, (3) diesel, (4) gasoline, (5) propane, and (6) butane.
                     In addition to well-designed and efficient irrigation systems, there are
                     many inexpensive best management practices that can be used to
                     reduce runoff and erosion, and lower irrigation costs. These methods
                     include the following:

                     S     Assure all irrigation systems are in good rep'air, with no leaks,
                            and that the sprinklers are adjusted to minimize misdirected
                            spray.

                     i/'     Use low-volume spray heads and stop watering if puddling and
                            runoff is observed.

                     S     Irrigate early in the morning or in the evening when it is
                            generally less windy and cooler.   .

                     S     Utilize efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation.
                            Many existing spray systems can be changed to function as drip
                            systems.

                     S     Install check valves to prevent downhill sprinkler heads from
                            draining after the system has been shut off.  This keeps water in
                            the pipes for the next sprinkling.  Follow manufacturer's
                            instructions.

                     S     Install "rainguards" that measure rainfall and stop operation of
                            the irrigation controller during rainfall.

                     S     If nutrients are irrigated, calculate the discharge rate of the
                            system and irrigate only at desired loading.

                     S     Replace worn irrigation nozzles (increased orifice size) that
                            may result in over application.
Sector Notebook Project
46
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III.A.6. Harvesting Crops and Post-Harvesting Activities

              Harvesting crops involves digging, cutting, picking, or other methods of
              removing the crops from the ground, stalks, vines, or trees.  Small fruits and
              other food crops (e.g., strawberries, melons) are typically harvested by hand,
              though may be harvested by machine. Field crops (e.g., corn, barley, oats) are
              typically harvested by machine.  For specific crops, such as sugar cane, pre-
              harvest burning may be conducted to improve access to the crop.

              Post-harvesting activities include washing and processes products; packaging,
              loading, and transporting products; and destroying crop residue (if
              appropriate).

              •       Washing, processing, and packaging products.  Crops may be washed
                     at the agricultural establishment or at the processing plant. Fresh
                     agricultural crops may be washed at the agricultural establishment and
                     then  shipped directly to distribution centers or sales outlets.
                     Agricultural crops destined for use as processed foods (e.g., canned
                     fruits and vegetables or snack foods), are likely to undergo extensive
                     washing and processing at the processing plant. Unusable crops can
                     either be picked up manually or separated  but from the usable stock
                     after the washing process.

                     Following processing, crops are packaged and prepared for delivery to
                     the appropriate customer.' Crops such as tobacco require drying during
                     the onsite curing processing. Crops may be packaged using various
                     materials, including corrugated cardboard, paper, and plastic/fabric
                     packaging materials.

              •       Loading and transporting products. While the loading operation will
                     vary  between establishments, individually packaged crops  (e.g.,
                     berries), are commonly loaded by forklift or by hand, while bulk
                     packaged crops (e.g., potatoes and apples) may be loaded by conveyor.
                     Crops are then transported typically by truck or rail to their final
                     destination.

              •       Destroying crop residue.  Post-harvest crop residue destruction is a
                     practice used for specific crops, particularly in certain areas of the
                     United States. For example, rice and wheat stubble are often burned in
                     the southeast and northwest respectively after harvest is complete.
Sector Notebook Project
47
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                    The potential pollution outputs of harvesting and post-harvesting
                    activities include air emissions from harvesting equipment and crop
                    residue burning; unusable or spilled crop; wastewater potentially
                    contaminated with organic wastes and pesticides from crop washing;
                    wastewater and waste product from processing; and damaged or
                    unusable packaging materials.  If discharged to surface waters,
                    wastewater from crop washing can  potentially cause BOD
                    contamination. Damaged or unusable packaging and unusable/spilled
                    crop may be managed as solid waste. Hydraulic lifts or conveyors used
                    in the loading process may leak oil, resulting in soil contamination.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                    There are several pollution prevention and waste minimization
                    opportunities for harvesting and post-harvesting activities. These
                    include:

                    i/     Maintaining harvesting machinery and vehicles.  Section
                           HI. A.7. Maintaining and Repairing Agricultural Machinery
                           and Vehicles discusses various methods of keeping an
                           environmentally responsible farm vehicle.

                    «/     Using unusable product as nutrients. Unusable products can be
                           washed to remove pesticides and then composted for future use
                           as nutrients. This can prevent the disposal of these products as
                           solid wastes and reduce the  amount of commercial fertilizers
                           used.

                    »/     Minimizing water use for product washing.  Minimizing the
                           amount of water used for product washing can reduce potential
                           BOD contamination and reduce water costs. There are several
                           types of equipment that can be used to minimize water use
                           including control faucets and sprayers. These faucets and
                           sprayers  control the flow of water, using significantly less
                           water than the faucets that supply a continuous flow of water.
                           Other simple techniques to minimize water use include the
                           following:

                           —      Installing a time sequence sprayer that can minimize the
                                  amount of water being used.

                           —      Using a high-pressure, low-flow nozzle during cleaning
                                  to significantly reduce water use.
Sector Notebook Project
48
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            —      Installing sideboards or splash guards to prevent
                                   spillage.

                            —      Shutting the water off during breaks.

                     S     Prevent contamination from oil leaks. Place catch pans
                            underneath hydraulic lifts or conveyors to collect oil leaks and
                            prevent soil contamination. This oil can then be recycled.

                     S     Prevent product spills. The use of sideboards on conveyors or
                            other equipment designed to transport products from the
                            ground into the vehicle can be  used to prevent product spills.
                            Additionally, catch pans or containers underneath loading areas
                            can be used to collect any unusable products left on the ground.
                            These products can then be composted, if appropriate.

III.A.7.  Maintaining and Repairing Agricultural Machinery and Vehicles

              Day-to-day maintenance and repair activities keep agricultural machinery and
              vehicles safe and reliable. Maintenance activities include oil and'filter
              changes, battery replacement, and repairs, including metal machining.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The wastes from maintenance and repair activities can include used
                     oil, spent fluids, spent batteries, metal machining wastes, spent organic
                     solvents, and tires. These wastes have the potential to be released to
                     the environment if not handled properly, stored in secure areas with
                     secondary containment,
                     protected from exposure
                     to weather, and properly
                     disposed of. If released
                     to the environment, the
                     impact of these releases
                     can be contamination of
                     surface waters,
                     groundwater, and soils,
                     as well as toxic releases
                     to the atmosphere.
                     Groundwater pollution
                     can also result from
                     discharges of wastes to
                     Class V wells.
      Proper Disposal of Oil-Based Fluids.
      Spent petroleum-based fluids and solids
      should be sent to a recycling center
      whenever possible. Solvents that are
      hazardous waste must not be mixed with
      used oil or, under RCRA regulations, the
      entire mixture may be .considered
      hazardous waste. Non-listed hazardous
      wastes can be mixed with waste oil, and
      as long as the resulting mixture is not
      hazardous, can be handled as waste oil.
      All used drip pans and containers should
      be properly labeled.
Sector Notebook Project
49
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Preventive maintenance programs can minimize waste generation,
                     increase equipment life, and minimize the probability of significant
                     impacts and accidents.  Where the wastes cannot be eliminated, safe
                     handling and recycling can minimize environmental impacts. The
                     following presents pollution prevention/waste minimization
                     opportunities for each type of waste.

                     Used Oil.  The impact of oil changes can be minimized by preventing
                     releases of used oil to the environment, and recycling or reusing used
                     oil whenever possible.  Spills can be prevented by using containment
                     around used oil containers, keeping floor drains closed when oil is
                     being drained, and by training employees on spill prevention
                     techniques. Oil that is contained rather than released can be recycled,
                     thus saving the farm money, and protecting the environment.

                     Recycling used oil requires equipment like a drip table with a used oil
                     collection bucket to collect oil dripping from parts. Drip pans can be
                     placed under machinery and vehicles awaiting repairs to capture any
                     leaking fluids.  By using catch pans or buckets, rather than absorbent
                     materials to contain leaks or spills of used oil, the used oil can be more
                     easily recycled.  To  encourage recycling, the publication "How To Set
                     Up A Local Program To Recycle Used Oil" is available at no cost from
                     the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or 1-703-412-9810.

                     Spent Fluids. Farm machinery and vehicles require regular changing
                     of fluids, including oil, coolant, and others. To minimize releases to
                     the environment, these fluids should be drained and replaced in areas
                     where there are no connections to storm 'drains or municipal sewers.
                     Minor spills should be cleaned up prior to reaching drains.  Used fluid
                     should be collected and stored in separate containers.  Fluids can often
                     be recycled. For example, brake fluid; transmission fluid, and gear oil
                     are recyclable.  Some liquids are able to be legally mixed with used
                     motor oil which, in turn, can be reclaimed.

                     During the process of engine maintenance, spills of fluids are likely to
                     occur. The "dry shop" principle encourages spills to be cleaned
                     immediately so that spilled fluid will not evaporate to air, be
                     transported to soil, or be discharged to waterways or sewers. The
                     following techniques help prevent and minimize the impact of spills:
Sector Notebook Project
50
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     /      Collect leaking or dripping fluids in designated drip pans or
                            containers.  Keep all fluids separated so'they may be properly
                            recycled.

                     S      Keep a designated drip pan under the vehicle while unclipping
                            hoses, unscrewing filters, or removing other parts.  The drip
                            pan prevents splattering of fluids and keeps chemicals from
                            penetrating the shop floor or outside area where the
                            maintenance is occurring.

                     S      Immediately transfer used fluids to proper containers.  Never
                            leave drip pans or other open containers unattended.

                     Radiator fluids are often acceptable to antifreeze recyclers. This
                     includes fluids used to flush out radiators during cleaning. Reusing the
                     flushing fluid minimizes waste discharges. If a licensed recycler does
                     not accept the spent flushing fluids, consider changing to another
                     brand of fluid that can be recycled.

                     Batteries. Farm operators have three options for managing used
                     batteries: recycling through a supplier, recycling directly though a
                     battery reclamation facility, or direct disposal.  Most suppliers now
                     accept spent batteries at the time of new battery purchase. While some
                     waste batteries must be handled as hazardous waste, lead acid batteries
                     are not considered hazardous waste as long as they are recycled. In
                     general, recycling batteries may reduce the amount of hazardous waste
                     stored at a farm, and thus reduce the farm's responsibilities under
                     RCRA.

                     The following best management practices are recommended to prevent
                    , used batteries from, impacting the environment prior to disposal:

                     S     Place on pallets and label by battery type (e.g., lead-acid,
                            nickel, and cadmium).

                     S     Protect them from the weather with a tarp, roof, or other means.

                     S     Store them on an open rack or in a watertight secondary
                            containment unit to prevent leaks.

                     S     Inspect them for cracks and leaks as they come to the  farm. If a
                            battery is dropped, treat it as if it is cracked. Acid residue from
                            cracked or leaking batteries is likely to be hazardous waste
 Sector Notebook Project
51
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            under RCRA because it is likely to demonstrate the
                            characteristic of corrosivity, and may contain lead and other
                            metals.

                     S     Neutralize acid spills and dispose of the resulting waste as
                            hazardous if it still exhibits a characteristic of a hazardous
                            waste.

                     «/     Avoid skin contact with leaking or damaged batteries.

                     Machine Shop Wastes. The major hazardous wastes from metal
                     machining are waste cutting oils, sp6nt machine coolant, and
                     degreasing solvents. Scrap metal can also be a component of
                     hazardous waste produced at a machine shop. Material substitution
                     and recycling are the two best means to reduce the volume of these
                     wastes.

                     The preferred method of reducing the amount of waste cutting oils and
                     degreasing solvents is to substitute with water-soluble cutting oils. If
                     non-water-soluble oils must be used, recycling waste cutting oil
                     reduces the potential environmental impact. Machine coolant can be
                     recycled, either by an outside recycler, or through a number of in-
                     house systems. Coolant recycling is most easily implemented when a
                     standardized type of coolant is used throughout the shop. Reuse and
                     recycling of solvents also is easily achieved, although it is generally
                     done by a permitted recycler.  Most shops collect scrap metals from
                     machining operations and sell these to metal recyclers. Metal chips
                     which have been removed from the coolant by filtration can be
                     included in the scrap metal collection. Wastes should be carefully
                     segregated to  facilitate reuse and recycling.
III.A.8.  Fuel Use and Fueling Activities
              Fuel is used to operate agricultural machinery, equipment, and vehicles that
              are used throughout almost every step of crop production, including preparing
              the site/soil, planting and tending the crops, applying nutrients and pesticides,
              irrigating and harvesting the crops, and post-harvesting activities. Agricultural
              machinery and vehicles are typically fueled using an aboveground fueling
              dispenser that is connected to an aboveground or underground fuel tank.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     Agricultural machinery and vehicles that use fuel most likely emit
                     pollutants to the atmosphere.  The activity of fueling itself can emit air
Sector Notebook Project
52
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     pollutants, and spills of fuel can cause water, soil and groundwater
                     contamination. Underground fueling systems that are not monitored or
                     maintained properly can leak into the surrounding soils and eventually
                     contaminate groundwater.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Properly maintaining fuel tanks, lines, and fueling systems can
                     substantially reduce the probability of accidental fuel spills or leaks.
                     All leaking pipe joints, nozzle connections, and any damage to the
                     fueling hose (e.g., kinks,  crushing, breaks in the carcass, bulges,
                     blistering, soft spots at the coupling, deep cracks or cuts, spots wet
                     with fuel, or excessive wear) should be fixed immediately to reduce
                     the amount of pollution to the environment. Spill and overflow
                     protection devices can be installed to prevent fuel spills and secondary
                     containment can be used to contain spills or leaks. Additional pollution
                     prevention techniques for fueling include the following:

                     t/     Inspect fueling equipment daily to ensure that all components
                            are in satisfactory condition. While refueling, check for leaks.

                     t/'     If refueling occurs at night, make sure it is carried out in a well-
                            lighted area.

                     ^     Never refuel during maintenance as it might provide a source
                            of ignition to fuel vapors.

                     »/     Do not leave a fuel nozzle" unattended during fueling or wedge
                            or tie the nozzle trigger in the open position.

                     v^     Discourage topping off of fuel tanks.
III.A.9.  Maintaining the Facility
              Providing Drinking Water
              As part of maintaining the physical site,
              an owner often is responsible for
              providing and maintaining a safe source
              of drinking water for those individuals
              who live or work at the site. Water
              provided from a surface water supply or
              groundwater supply may be considered
              a public water system and, as such, is
              subject to federal regulations.  To be
            A public water system is a system
            that receives water from a well,
            river, reservoir, or other sources,
            and serves piped water to at least
            15 service connections or regularly
            serves an average of 25 people
            each day for at least 60 days.
 Sector Notebook Project
53
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            &. Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the system must meet set criteria such
              that it is classified as one of the following water systems: community, non-
              transient non-community, or transient non-community. To ensure the drinking
              water source, whether surface or groundwater, is not contaminated, the
              regulations require the owner of the public water system to conduct periodic
              monitoring and analyses.

                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                    Surface water supplies may become contaminated through runoff.
                    Groundwater supplies may become contaminated through a variety of
                    sources, including runoff and leaching, improperly grouted wellheads,
                    improperly constructed or sited wellheads, or faulty onsite septic
                    systems. Potential environmental impacts from contaminated drinking
                    water include a wide variety of health effects for those who ingest it.
                    Depending on the contaminant, the water may cause short-term
                    illnesses and may also lead to  long-term health effects.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                    The primary concern with drinking water is to ensure it does not
                    become contaminated.  The previous sections of this chapter discussed
                    the pollution prevention methods associated with crop production that
                    can help ensure that surface water or groundwater does not become
                    contaminated, and thus result in contaminated drinking water.

              Managing Equipment Containing PCBs
              Facility maintenance includes managing equipment that may contain PCBs,
              such as generators, electrical transformers and their bushings, capacitors,
              reclosers, regulators, electric light ballasts, and oil switches.  Facilities must
              ensure through activities related to the management of PCBs (e.g., inspections,
              proper storage) that human food or animal feed are not exposed to PCBs.

                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                    The potential pollution outputs are spills or leaks of PCB-containing
                    oil  from this equipment and hazardous air emissions in the event of an
                    electrical fire. These releases can result in air, water, and soil
                    contamination. While the regulations do not establish a specific
                    distance limit, any item containing PCBs is considered to pose an
                    unacceptable exposure risk to food or feed if PCBs released in any
                    form have the potential to reach/contaminate food or feed.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                    There are, several techniques that can be used to prevent releases of
                    PCBs to the environment and contamination of food  or feed   These
Sector Notebook Project
54
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    include replacing the PCB-containing equipment; replacing the PCB-
                    containing oil with oil that does not contain PCBs; providing
                    secondary containment of the equipment so that spills cannot
                    contaminate the soil or groundwater; and relocating the equipment to a
                   . location that does not present an exposure risk to food or feed. PCB-
                   . containing equipment should be inspected regularly for leaks and any
                    deterioration that may cause an electrical fire.

              Renovating and Demolishing Structures
              Asbestos and lead-based paint may be present in structures that are being
              renovated or demolished.  While EPA banned the use of many asbestos-
              containing materials in the 1970s, buildings built before this are likely to have
              asbestos-containing materials.  Used as insulation and a fire retardant, asbestos
              and asbestos-containing materials can be found in a variety of building
              construction materials, including pipe and furnace insulation materials,
              asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paint and other coating materials, and
              floor tiles. It is also found in vehicle brake linings.  Lead-based paint can .
              typically be found on the interiors and exteriors of buildings constructed prior
              to 1978. This is because EPA banned the manufacture and use of lead-based
              paint and lead-based paint products in 1978.

                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                    The renovation and demolition of structures can impact the
                    environment as materials that may have previously been trapped within
                    or on buildings become exposed to the environment. When
                    encapsulated, asbestos fibers do not impact human health or the
                    environment. However, during renovation or demolition, asbestos
                    fibers may be released. If inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can
                    cause respiratory damage.

                    Lead is a known carcinogen through any exposure pathway and may
                    result in significant health effects. As with asbestos, lead-based paint
                    that remains intact and is not chipping or otherwise deteriorating, does
                    not present health problems. However, when it does become damaged,
                    it should be properly removed, contained, and disposed of to prevent
                    exposure. The activity of paint removal has the potential to impact
                    human health and the environment as lead-containing fibers, dust, and
                    paint chips are released. Paint chips and dust can cause indoor air
                    contamination during renovation, and soil contamination from
                    demolition or improper disposal, hi addition, lead-based paint chips
                    and dust, if ingested, can create severe, long-term health effects,
                    especially for children.
 Sector Notebook Project
55
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The potential impact can be mitigated by assuring any asbestos is
                     encapsulated within the building structure while the building is being
                     used, and properly contained during construction and demolition.

 III.B. Greenhouses and Nurseries: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention
       Opportunities

              This section provides an overview of commonly employed operations and
              maintenance activities at greenhouses and nurseries.  This discussion is not
              exhaustive; the operations and maintenance activities discussed are intended
              to represent the major sources pollution outputs and environmental impacts
              from producing greenhouse and nursery products. General pollution
              prevention and waste minimization opportunities are also discussed in the
              context of each operation.

              Facilities that are engaged in greenhouse and nursery operations (e.g.,
              horticulture), are responsible for growing and selling greenhouse and nursery
              products.  Many of the activities related to horticulture production are quite
              similar to  those necessary for production of crops.  As a result, the material
              inputs, pollution outputs, and potential environmental impacts are very similar
              to those discussed throughout Section ni.A.

              While this section focuses on those activities for operations that fall under
              NAICS code 0114  (SIC code 018), many of these activities also take place
              under other parts of NAICS code 011 - Crop Production (SIC code 01). In
              contrast to food crops, horticultural production may include maintenance of
              plants and trees for two or more growing seasons. While food crops are
              harvested  to be consumed, horticulture products are often sold live.
              Furthermore, horticulture production includes activities that take place both
              indoors and in the open air.

              This section describes the following horticultural production activities:

                     •       Preparing soil/growing media for horticulture crops
                     •       Planting horticulture crops
                            Applying nutrients to horticulture crops
                            Applying pesticides and pest control for horticulture crops
                     •       Irrigating horticulture crops
                     •       Tending and harvesting horticulture crops
                     •       Constructing and maintaining greenhouses
                     •       Transporting products
                     •       Maintaining and repairing equipment
Sector Notebook Project
56
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     •       Fuel use and fueling equipment

              Exhibit 21 presents material inputs and pollution outputs from each of these
              processes.
Exhibit 21. Greenhouse and Nursery Production Activities,
Raw Material Inputs, and Pollution Outputs
Activity
Preparing soil/growing media
Planting
Applying nutrients
Applying pesticides and pest
control
Irrigating (not including nutrient
application)
Tending and harvesting
Constructing and maintaining
greenhouses
Packaging, loading, and
transporting horticulture crops
Raw Material Input
- Soil, peat, or other synthetic
growing media
— Lime
- Seeds, seedlings
, — Organic nutrients
- Commercial nutrients
- Water
— Pesticides (including
insecticides, rodenticides,
fungicides, and herbicides)
- Water
- Chemicals

— Construction materials
— Fuel for heating and cooling
— Boiler chemicals
- Plastic, burlap or paper
packaging materials
Pollution Output
- Air emissions (e.g., dust)
- Sediment, nutrient, and
pesticides runoff from soil
erosion
— Air emissions (e.g., dust)
— Sediment, nutrient, and
pesticide runoff from soil
erosion
- Plants, branches, leaves, etc.
— Runoff and leaching of
unused or misapplied
nutrients
- Chemical air emissions
— Runoff and leaching of
unused or misapplied
nutrients
— Chemical air emissions
— Runoff contaminated with
sediments, salts, pesticides,
and nutrients
— Plant and tree clippings
— Construction wastes
— Air emissions
— Storm water runoff from
increased impervious area
- Spills of boiler chemicals
— Dead plants
— . Waste packaging materials
 Sector Notebook Project
57
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
Exhibit 21. Greenhouse and Nursery Production Activities,
Raw Material Inputs, and Pollution Outputs
Activity
Maintaining and repairing
equipment
Fuel use and fueling activities
Raw Material Input
- Oil
- Lubricating fluids
- Fuel
— Coolants
— Solvents
— Tires
— Batteries
— Equipment parts
- Fuel
Pollution Output
- Used oil
— Spent fluids
— Spent batteries
— Metal machining wastes
— Spent organic solvents
— Tires
— Air, water, soil, and
groundwater pollution
resulting from spilled and/or
spent fluids
— Air emissions from machinery
— Air, water, soil, and
groundwater pollution
resulting from spills
III.B.l.  Preparing Soil/Growing Media for Horticulture Crops

              Prior to planting, the soil or growing media3 must be prepared for growing
              horticulture crops. For horticulture crops grown outdoors, soil preparation
              generally involves tilling and the application of nutrients, primarily
              commercial fertilizer. Tilling aerates the soil, allows seedlings to be placed in
              the soil, and helps roots take hold of the soil. It also improves drainage and
              allows for better assimilation of nutrients (i.e., fertilizers) and pesticides into
              the soil.  For greenhouse crops, proper soil or media preparation is key for
              fostering plant growth. Due to the relatively shallow depth and limited
              volume of greenhouse containers, soil must be amended to provide the
              physical and chemical properties necessary for plant growth.4 Materials are
              added to the soil that promote improved aeration, drainage, and water holding
              capacity. These materials can include peat and peat-like materials, wood
              residues, rice hulls, sand, vermiculite, calcined clays, expanded polystyrene,
              urea formaldehydes, and bagasse (a waste byproduct of the sugar industry that
              is often composted to promote aeration).  In addition, soil pH is often
       3 Note that many indoor growing operations use non-soil media consisting of peat moss,
compost, lime, and other material, rather than soil in order to provide a more porous growth
environment in a relatively small volume container.

       4Texas Greenhouse Management Handbook, Dr. Don Wilkerson, Texas Agricultural
Extension Service, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/guides/green/green.html.
Sector Notebook Project
58
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              adjusted by adding ground limestone, hydrated lime, or dolomitic lime to suit
              the plants being grown.5

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The major environmental impacts of soil/growing media preparation in
                     horticulture operations is runoff that carries pollutants (e.g.,
                     soils/growing media, nutrients, pH adjusting agents, pesticides) to
                     groundwater or surface waters.

                     For outdoor operations, the primary pollution output is runoff
                     contaminated with pollutants (e.g., sediments, nutrients, and
                     pesticides) caused by soil erosion.  Soil erosion causes damage both
                     onsite and offsite at horticulture operations. Onsite erosion can reduce
                     the productivity of the operation and increase the need for fertilizer and
                     other inputs. Pollutants (e.g., sediments, nutrients, and pesticides) that
                     are transported offsite by runoff may be deposited in surface waters,
                     leading to reduced oxygen content, increased algae growth, and overall
                     degradation of water quality.

                     Indoor operations can also be sources of water pollution. Runoff that
                     comes in contact with spills of soil/soil media, improperly managed
                     outdoor bulk soil/media piles, or discharges of floor washdown water
                     can transport sediments and other pollutants to surface waters.  Spilled
                     or excessively applied lime also has the potential to contaminate
                     groundwater or surface waters.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     When preparing soil for outdoor operations, runoff can be reduced by
                     planting and maintaining buffer strips of grass and sod. These strips
                     can slow runoff and trap sediment, reducing soil loss and potentially
                     preventing water contamination. Horticulture operations that maintain
                     grass strips between rows of plants or trees have been shown to
                     maintain 30 percent to 50 percent more soil than those that maintain
                     only bare soil.6
       5Effect ofpHon Pesticide Stability and Efficacy, Winand K. Hock, Perm State University,
http://pmep.cce.coniell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-peapp-ph.html.

       6 Best Management Practices for Field Production of Nursery Stock, North Carolina State
University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Service, http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/
prbgrams/extension/ag-env/nursery/.
Sector Notebook Project
59
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Unnecessary application of materials that could potentially leach into
                     and pollute nearby water sources can be prevented through frequent
                     soil testing prior to application.  Spills can be prevented by assuring
                     the integrity of the containers in which the materials are kept.
                     Containers should be routinely repaired  and replaced if perforated.
III.B.2. Planting Horticulture Crops
              Horticulture crops are planted after the soil/soil media is prepared. Planting
              involves the placement of seeds or seedlings into the soil/soil media.  Planting
              is typically done by hand for greenhouse operations, while planting may be
              done either by hand or mechanically for nursery operations.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The major inputs in planting horticulture crops are the seeds and
                     energy used to plant them. The pollutant outputs include air emissions
                     from any planting equipment.
                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Pollution prevention opportunities during the planting process for
                     horticulture operations are similar to those discussed in Section m.A.2.

III.B.3. Applying Nutrients to Horticulture Crops

              During all phases of the crop production process, nutrients (e.g., fertilizer,
              manure, biosolids) can be applied to horticulture crops. Nutrients enhance
              crop growth by providing essential nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and
              micro-nutrients. Nutrients can be applied directly to the plant or soil surface,
              incorporated into the soil, or applied with irrigation water through
              chemigation.

              Most greenhouse operations use liquid fertilizers, supplemented by granular or
              slow release fertilizers which are added to the growing medium.  While the
              frequency of fertilizer application may vary, many operations continuously
              fertilize through irrigation systems. For outdoor operations, nutrient
              application is often more mechanically intensive, requiring coverage of large
            .  areas.  Nearly all acres planted are treated with one or more types of nutrients
              (e.g., fertilizers, manure, or biosolids). Depending on the timing of the seed
              planting, the application may occur simultaneously.

              For outdoor operations, fertilizers may be applied in solid, liquid, or gas form.
              Depending on the state of the product, nutrients may be applied using
Sector Notebook Project
60
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              specialized trucks to apply dry product, tractors to pull sprayer equipment for
              liquids, and pressurized tanks to apply anhydrous ammonia.  Techniques used
              to apply fertilizer include the following:

              •      Band placement is used to locate the fertilizer in an optimum position
                     relative to the seed. This minimizes salt injury to the developing roots.

                     Broadcast application refers to the practice of distributing the product
                     uniformly over the soil surface. Tractors, airplanes and helicopters are
                     used to broadcast fertilizers.

                     Injection refers to the application of anhydrous ammonia. At normal
                     pressure, anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a gas.  For application as a
                     fertilizer, it is pressurized to form a liquid. Because it is a volatile
                     liquid, it is incorporated into the soil as a liquid under pressure to a
                     depth of 15 to 25 cm. In the soil, NH3 is converted to NH4+, which is
                     stable. Gaseous  ammonia is lost if soil pH increases much above 7, or
                     as moisture fluctuates from field capacity.

                     Addition of fertilizer to irrigation water (known as fertigation), is
                     usually part of a  drip irrigation system that can apply water and
                     fertilizer to a precise predetermined location.

              •      Manure and biosolids may be applied to the soil surface as a solid
                     from a tractor-pulled box-type manure spreader as it makes passes
                     across the field.  Slurry manure and biosolids are generally applied to
                     the soil surface by tractor-pulled or truck flail spreaders or subsurface
                     by tractor or truck injection equipment. Liquid manure may be surface
                     irrigated or subsurface injected. Manure and biosolid solids and
                     slurries may be mechanically incorporated into the soil following
                     application.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     There are several potential pollution outputs and environmental
                     impacts from nutrient application and spills including runoff and
                     leaching of improperly or excessively applied nutrients which can
                     contaminate surface water and groundwater; air emissions; and
                     increases in the amount of soluble salts in soils.  Excessive amounts of
                     soluble salts in the soil can prevent or delay seed germination, kill or
                     seriously retard plant growth, and possibly render soils and
                     groundwater unusable.
Sector Notebook Project
61
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     The degree of environmental impacts depends on the application
                     method. The surface application of fertilizer, manure, or biosolids is
                     more likely to result in runoff than injection.  Non-composted surface-
                     applied manure will volatilize and release ammonia to the air. Spills
                     of nutrients may also negatively impact the environment since they
                     will be concentrated in one specific area.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     There are several pollution prevention techniques that can be used to
                     reduce pollution and impacts from nutrient application. These include:

                     ^    Application methods that prevent runoff (e.g., application by
                           injection).

                     «/    Restricting application in close proximity to surface waters.

                     i/'    Applying nutrients at agronomic rates to crops/cropland.

                     «/    Managing the site to eliminate erosion or reduce the runoff
                           potential.

                     «/    Developing and implementing nutrient management plans.
                           The primary purpose of nutrient management is to achieve the
                           level of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) required to
                           grow the planned crop by balancing the nutrients that are
                           already in the soil with those from other sources (e.g., manure,
                           biosolids,  commercial fertilizers) that will be applied. At a
                           minimum, nutrient management can help prevent the
                           application of nutrients at rates that will exceed the capacity of
                           the soil and the planned crops to assimilate nutrients and
                           prevent pollution. More information on nutrient management
                           plans is presented in Section m.A.3.

III.B.4.  Applying Pesticides and Pest  Control for Horticulture Crops

              The pesticides commonly used in horticulture operations include insecticides,
              fungicides, and herbicides.  For large nursery operations, pesticides are often
              applied through liquid spraying.  As described in Section ni.A.4., liquid
              spraying may be conducted by aircraft, tractor spray rigs, or blasters.

              •      Aerial methods are the most common spray applications, with about
                     two-thirds of all insecticides and fungicides applied in this manner.
                     Trees and shrubs  may be aerially treated several times per season with
 Sector Notebook Project
62
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     insecticides, fungicides, and protec'tant oils. Helicopters are often used
                     because the turbulence from the main rotor tends to push the pesticides
                     down toward the plant.

                     Tractor spray rigs provide an advantage where horticulture crops are
                     grown in rows because planting, fertilizing and spraying can be
                     accomplished in one pass through the field.

                     Blasters can be used for applying insecticides and fungicides to trees.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The potential environmental impacts from pesticide application are
                     runoff or leaching to surface water or groundwater, spills to surface
                     waters, potential human exposure, and soil contamination that could
                     leave land unproductive. These environmental impacts may all occur
                     if pesticides are not applied according to the label directions. Impacts
                     from pesticide application to horticulture crops are similar to those
                     discussed in Section III.A.4.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     As discussed previously in Section III.A.4, the best way to prevent
                     environmental impacts from pesticide use is follow label directions for
                     application and prevent or minimize their use wherever possible.
                     Pesticide use accounts for a significant portion of horticulture
                     production costs. By reducing their use, horticulture operations cannot
                     only reduce production costs, but also reduce environmental impacts
                     from their operations. Pesticide use can be minimized by using
                     integrated pest management approaches, new technologies,  efficient
                     application methods, controls, and basic preventive measures.
                     Pollution prevention opportunities for reducing or minimizing impacts
                     from application of pesticides are discussed in Section III.A.4.
III.B.5. Irrigating Horticulture Crops
              Irrigation transports water to horticulture crops to nourish the crops, ease the
              shock to the plants following transplant, and keep the crops cool in arid or
              excessive heat conditions. There are many different irrigation systems, all of
              which are designed to move water from its source to where it can be used for
              crop production. Irrigation water is obtained from onsite groundwater and
              surface water sources, as well as offsite sources such as rivers!, pipelines,
              canals and aqueducts that are operated by irrigation districts and private water
              companies.
Sector Notebook Project
63
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              All greenhouse crops are irrigated on a regular basis (since they are enclosed
              and do not receive water from rainfall events). Water is generally applied to
              the upper surface of the soil/growing media by using overhead sprinklers, drip
              or trickle irrigation systems, hand-held hoses, or a combination of methods.
              The advantage of drip or trickle systems is that they minimize water use,
              leaching of nutrients in the growth media, and reduce the probability of root
              rot in excessively moist soil.  Overhead sprinklers and hand water irrigation
              methods are often less  expensive to implement,  but use more water per plant.7

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     For indoor operations, the primary pollution outputs are wastewater
                     and runoff that  contains nutrients and pesticides. For outdoor
                     horticulture operations, the pollution outputs from irrigation include
                     runoff and leaching of nutrients and pesticides, salinization, and
                     groundwater depletion. The impacts of pollutants (e.g., nutrients,
                     pesticides, and  sediments) from irrigation-induced runoff are similar to
                     those discussed in Section III.A.5.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention opportunity for irrigation is the use
                     of irrigation methods which efficiently apply water, thereby reducing
                     water use and the potential for runoff. One efficient application
                     method is drip irrigation. Drip irrigation gradually applies water
                     directly to the soil surface over extended periods of time (i.e., 1, 2, or 5
                     gallons per hour), resulting in less water loss due to evaporation or
                     runoff.  If nutrients are applied using drip irrigation, the amount of
                     fertilizer used can also be reduced if the  nutrients are applied at the
                     utilization rate of the plant, hi addition to the environmental benefits,
                     drip irrigation tends to cause roots to concentrate within the limited
                     wetted soil area, thus creating a more concentrated root ball. More
                     concentrated root balls make the plants easier to ship and  increase their
                     ability  to survive through the sale and planting process.8  Section
                     m.A.5  describes other potential pollution prevention opportunities
                     associated with irrigation.
       "] Texas Greenhouse Management Handbook, Dr. Don Wilkerson, Texas Agriculturall
Extension Service, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/guides/green/green.htrnl.

       8 Best Management Practices for Field Production of Nursery Stock, North Carolina State
University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Service, http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/
programs/extension/ag-env/nursery/.
Sector Notebook Project
64
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III.B.6. Tending and Harvesting Horticulture Crops

              Horticulture crops must be maintained from planting through the point of sale.
              Each plant may be tended for one or several growing seasons. Tending
              horticulture crops involves applying water, nutrients, and pesticides;
              transplanting crops from small to larger pots or from pots to outside areas; and
              pruning trees and shrubs to enhance plant health and make them more
              aesthetically pleasing.

              Harvesting of horticulture crops involves digging, cutting, or other methods of
              safely removing product from the ground, stalks, vines, or trees. Harvesting
              must be done with care to protect the plant and assure that it remains alive
              through the point of sale. For flowers, small plants, and greenhouse-grown
              vegetables, harvesting is generally done manually.  For larger trees and shrubs,
              harvesting may be done by hand or by machine.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The primary pollution outputs from tending and harvesting horticulture
                     crops are plant clippings (e.g., branches, leaves, and flowers) that have
                     been removed during the tending/pruning activities.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     There are several pollution prevention and waste minimization
                     opportunities for tending and harvesting activities.  These include:

                     •      Maintaining harvesting machinery and vehicles.  Section
                           m.A.7. Maintaining and Repairing Agricultural Machinery
                           and Vehicles discusses various methods of keeping an
                           environmentally responsible farm vehicle.

                     •      Composting plant clippings. Plant clippings can be  composted,
                           while tree clippings can be used as drying material to compost
                           the plant clippings. Tree clippings can also be ground as mulch
                           and reused in the fields or greenhouse.  By placing wood waste
                           under covered structures or tarps, operators can also reduce the
                           decomposition and leaching from wood waste piles.9
       9 Environmental Guidelines for Greenhouse Growers - Site Planning, British Columbia
Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 1998, http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/fppa/pubs/environ/
greenhse/grnhse.htm.
Sector Notebook Project
65
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of .Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III.B.7.  Constructing and Maintaining Greenhouses

              Greenhouse construction and design can influence how effectively horticulture
              crops grow, as well as the operation's ability to minimize environmental
              impacts.  Greenhouse construction includes building the structure and
              ensuring that it meets the operational requirements of the horticulture
              operation.

              Greenhouse maintenance involves maintaining the structural integrity as well
              as the appropriate climate conditions. Activities may include operating and
              maintaining boilers that provide heat during cold weather; operating fans to
              keep crops and workers cool during warm weather; and general maintenance
              of the greenhouse itself.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs  and Environmental Impacts
                     The potential pollutant outputs from greenhouse construction include
                     increased potential for storm  water runoff during construction; air
                     emissions from construction  equipment; and construction wastes
                     primarily consisting of packaging materials, steel or aluminum parts,
                     and waste concrete. Boilers used for heating greenhouse can produce
                     air emissions and potential spills of boiler chemicals can impact the
                     environment.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste  Minimization Opportunities
                     Many pollution prevention opportunities begin at the design and
                     construction stage.  Pollution prevention opportunities in greenhouse
                     design include:

                     i/'      Locating storage facilities for fuel, wood waste, fertilizer, or
                            pesticides far away and contained from any watercourse.

                     v^      Locating well water sites on the highest elevation on the
                            property and as far as  possible from areas where fertilizer,
                            pesticides, and petroleum products are stored or handled.

                     »^      Designing the greenhouse so that it can accommodate efficient
                            drip irrigation systems.

                     »^      Planning facilities that can separate and disinfect irrigation or
                            wash water so that the water can be reused.

                     t/'      Installing closed systems that minimize or prevent leaching
                            from irrigation systems. '
Sector Notebook Project
66
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            Constructing foundations and floors that permit recovery of
                            leachate, such as lined soil zones and concrete floors.

                            Selecting efficient watering systems.

                            For outdoor areas, using well-drained gravel keeping
                            impervious pavement to a minimum.
                    10
                     Implementing these activities in the design and construction stage
                     helps facilitate their implementation throughout the production
                     process.

III.B.8. Packaging, Loading, and Transporting Products

              Horticulture crops must be packaged, loaded, and transported,by truck or rail
              to their destinations. Packaging materials may include plastic, burlap, or
              paper.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The primary pollution outputs include damaged or dead plants and
                     discarded packaging materials, all of which may be managed as solid
                     waste.  Hydraulic lifts or conveyors used in the loading process may
                     leak oil, resulting in soil contamination.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Pollution prevention opportunities for packaging include reducing the
                     volume of packaging used and recycling any waste packaging
                     materials when possible. Pollution prevention ideas for reducing
                     emissions from transport vehicles are similar to those discussed in
                     Section III.A.7.

III.B.9. Maintaining and Repairing Machinery and Vehicles at Greenhouses/Nurseries

              Horticulture operations operate and maintain heavy equipment that is used for
              preparing soil, maintaining the crops, and transporting products for sale.  Day-
              to-day maintenance and repair activities keep machinery and vehicles safe and
              reliable. Maintenance activities include oil and filter changes, battery
              replacement, and repairs including metal machining.
       10]
        Environmental Guidelines for Greenhouse Growers - Site Planning, British Columbia
Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 1998, http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/fppa/pubs/environ/
greenhse/grnhse.htm.
Sector Notebook Project
67
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The wastes from maintenance and repair activities can include used
                     oil, spent fluids, spent batteries, metal machining wastes, spent organic
                     solvents, and tires. These wastes have the potential to be released to
                     the environment if not handled properly, stored in secure areas with
                     secondary containment, protected from exposure to weather, and
                     properly disposed of. If released to the environment, the impact of
                     these releases can be contamination of surface waters, groundwater,
                     and soils, as well as toxic releases to the atmosphere. Groundwater
                     pollution can also result from discharges of wastes to Class V wells.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Preventive maintenance programs can minimize waste generation,
                     increase equipment life, and minimize the probability of significant
                     impacts and accidents.  Where the wastes cannot be eliminated, safe
                     handling and recycling can minimize environmental impacts.
                     Pollution prevention/waste minimization opportunities for these wastes
                     are similar to those discussed previously in Section ni.A.7.

HI.B.10.  Fuel Use and Fueling Activities at Greenhouses/Nurseries

              Fuel is used to operate agricultural machinery, equipment, and vehicles that
              are used for horticulture crop production, including preparing the site/soil,
              planting crops, applying nutrients and pesticides, irrigating, and post-
              harvesting activities. Agricultural machinery and vehicles are typically fueled
              using an aboveground fueling dispenser that is connected to an aboveground
              or underground fuel tank.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     Agricultural machinery and vehicles that use fuel most likely emit
                     pollutants to the atmosphere. The activity of fueling itself can emit air
                     pollutants, and spills of fuel can cause water, soil and groundwater
                     contamination. Underground fueling systems that are not monitored or
                     maintained properly can leak into the surrounding soils and eventually
                     contaminate groundwater.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     Properly maintaining fuel tanks, lines, and fueling systems can
                     substantially reduce the probability of accidental fuel spills or leaks.
                     All leaking pipe joints, nozzle connections, and any damage to the
                     fueling hose (e.g., kinks, crushing, breaks in the carcass, bulges,
                     blistering, soft spots at the coupling, deep cracks or cuts, spots wet
                     with fuel, or excessive wear) should be fixed immediately to reduce
Sector Notebook Project
68
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    the amount of pollution to the environment. Spill and overflow
                    protection devices can be installed to prevent fuel spills and secondary
                    containment can be used to contain spills or leaks. Additional pollution
                    prevention techniques to prevent fuel spills and methods to more
                    efficiently refuel are discussed in Section III.A. 8.

III.C.  Forestry Production Industry: Operations, Impacts, and Pollution Prevention
       Opportunities

              Nearly 500 million acres of forest land are managed for the production of
              timber in the United States. This section provides an overview of commonly
              employed operations and maintenance activities in the forestry industry.  This
              discussion is not exhaustive; the operations and maintenance activities
              discussed are intended to represent the major sources of environmental
              impacts from forestry. It also presents an overview of pollution prevention
              and waste minimization opportunities within the industry.

       Summary of General Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts for
       the Forestry Production Industry

              EPA's National Summary of Water Quality Conditions (1998) lists
              silviculture nonpoint source pollution as contributing to 7 percent of impaired
              river miles, 7 percent of impaired acres of lakes, and 3 percent of impaired
              square miles of estuaries. Forestry activities can contribute to nonpoint source
              pollution and water quality degradation through erosion, removal of
              streamside vegetation, destruction of habitat, and the use of pesticides and
              nutrients, primarily commercial fertilizers.  Habitat destruction can impact
              various  animals, including endangered species such as the spotted owl.
              Eroded  forest soils potentially are carried to surface waters where
              sedimentation occurs and stream life is negatively impacted.  The removal of
              streamside vegetation increases the potential for erosion and also eliminates
              shading of the waterbody. Turbidity from erosion and reduced shade result in
              higher water temperatures and  lower dissolved oxygen concentration.
              Pesticides and fertilizers can be carried in runoff to waterbodies affecting
              water quality.

       Summary of General Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities for
       the Forestry Production Industry

              Best management practices applied to forestry operations can be classified as
              1) prevention measures as part of planning, policy and management; and 2)
              reduction measures applied to the land as an integral part of the silvicultural
              activity. Prevention through management decision involves  the incorporation
 Sector Notebook Project
69
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              of environmental protection into organizational policy and in the planning,
              design and scheduling of forestry activities.  At this stage, location and design
              of logging access roads, intermediate activities, harvesting methods, and
              reforestation decisions should be made to prevent or minimize the aggravation
              of inherent pollution hazards.

              The reduction measures to control erosion and sediment runoff generally
              utilize some physical, biological, or chemical method or technique. Reduction
              measures modify and reduce the unavoidable disturbances caused by an
              activity, for example, revegetation of cleared areas, mulching of readouts and
              fills", and removal of debris from watercourses, Reduction measures also .
              include the construction of berms, rip-rapping, baffles, drop structures, catch
              basins, cross-drains, and slope stabilization on road sites. Because of the
              widespread nature of sediment runoff, erosion control measures must be a
              principal thrust of the water quality management program on each forestry
              management unit.

              In areas where nutrients, pesticides, and other chemicals cause particular
              problems on surface waters or groundwater, further control measures may be
              necessary. These measures could relate to the application (timing methods
              and amount), utilization, and management of fertilizers, pesticides, and fire
              retardant chemicals. Particular attention should be taken to keep chemicals
              away from streams.  Care must be exercised to ensure that thermal problems
              are not created in streams by excessive removal of shade canopy. Attention to
              proper forest management, engineering, and harvesting principles can
              substantially reduce pollution attributed to forestry.

              The following considerations should be part of the pre-harvest planning stage:
              threatened and endangered species and sensitive habitats, wetland areas,
              streamside management area/width, cumulative effects analysis, timing of
              operation (i.e., to avoid moisture), and identification of landslide potential and
              other high risk areas.

       Operations of the Forestry Production Industry

              This section describes the following forestry production activities:

                     •      Road construction and use
                     •      Timber harvesting
                     •      Forest Regeneration
                     •      Site preparation
                           Prescribed burning
                     •      Application of chemicals
Sector Notebook Project
70
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              Exhibit 22 presents raw material inputs and pollution outputs from each of
              these forestry production activities.
Exhibit 22. Forestry Production Activities, Raw Material Inputs,
and Pollution Outputs
Activity
Road construction and use
Timber harvesting
Forest regeneration
Site preparation
Prescribed burning
Application of chemicals
Raw Material Input
- Fuel and oil used in
construction equipment
— Fuel and oil used in
harvesting, chipping,
loading, and hauling
equipment
- Fuel used in planting
equipment
— Commercial fertilizers
- Fuel and oil used in
mechanical equipment
— Chemical herbicides
— Fuel to start fire
— Fertilizers
— Pesticides
- Water
— Fuel used in application
equipment
Pollution Output
— Sediment in runoff
from soil erosion
— Air emissions
— Sediment and organic
debris in runoff from
soil erosion
- Thermal pollution
— On-site leaks (i.e.,
hydraulic fluid)
— Air emissions
— Sediment in runoff
from soil erosion
— Nutrient in runoff from
fertilizer application
— Air emissions
— Sediment in runoff
from soil erosion
— Chemicals in runoff
from herbicide
application
— Air emissions
— Sediment in runoff
from soil erosion
— Air emissions (smoke)
— Chemical air emissions
- Runoff contaminated
with chemicals
 III.C.1. Road Construction and Use
               Building the road system to allow for harvesting involves clearing the roadway
               of trees, grading soil, placing culverts for stream crossings, construction, and
               surfacing. Following road construction, the forest becomes accessible for the
 Sector Notebook Project
71
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities'
              logger to fall the trees and transport them to a landing where they will then be
              loaded and transported to the mill.

              There are several types of roads used in timber harvesting. The cheapest and
              easiest road is the skid trail which is usually nothing more than a dirt path
              used by the skidders to get the trees to the landing area.  Skid trails must be
              located outside of the Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) and must use a
              bridge or culvert of acceptable design to cross perennial or intermittent
              streams.  The road from the landing to the main road is usually better than a
              skid trail because it must support the trucks that haul the wood to the mill.
              Some wood product companies build roads designed to last for many years.
              However, these type of roads are too expensive for most landowners to
              construct.

              Rolling dips, water bars, cross-drains, water turnouts, and culverts are used to
              control runoff and erosion, and allow vehicles to cross intermittent or
              perennial streams.

              Abandonment of roads, watercourse crossings, and landings must be planned
              and conducted in a manner that provides for permanent maintenance-free
              drainage to soil resources; minimizes concentration of runoff, soil  erosion, and
              slope instability; prevents unnecessary damage to soil resources; promotes
              regeneration and protects the quality and beneficial uses of water.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The primary pollution outputs during road construction and use may
                     include air emissions from road construction equipment and machinery
                     used for harvesting and soil  erosion.  Roads are considered to be the
                     major source of erosion from forested lands, contributing up to 90
                     percent of the total sediment production from forestry operations.
                     Erosion potential from roads is accelerated by increasing slope
                     gradients on cut-and-fill slopes, intercepting subsurface water flow,
                     and concentrating overland flow on the road surface and in channels.
                     Roads with steep gradients, deep cut-and-fill sections, poor drainage,
                     erodible soils, and road-stream crossings contribute to most of this
                     sediment load, with road-stream crossings being the most frequent
                     sources of erosion and sediment. Soil loss tends to be greatest during
                     and immediately after road construction because of the unstabilized
                     road bed and disturbance by passage of heavy trucks and equipment.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention methods in road construction and use
                     are designed to reduce erosion of soil and minimize delivery of
Sector Notebook Project
72
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
           & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     sediment to surface waters. Proper road design and construction can
                     prevent road fill and road backslope failure, which can result in mass
                     movements and severe sedimentation. Proper road drainage prevents
                     concentration of water on road surfaces, thereby preventing road
                     saturation that can lead to rutting, road slumping, and channel
                     washout. Proper road drainage during logging operations is especially
                     important because that is the time when erosion is greatly accelerated
                     by continuous road use.

                     Surface protection of the roadbed and cut-and-fill slopes can:

                     S    Minimize soil losses during storms.

                     S    Reduce frost heave erosion production.

                     S    Restrain downslope movement of soil slumps.

                     i/    Minimize erosion from softened roadbeds.

                     Although there are many commonly practiced techniques to minimize
                     erosion during the construction process, the most meaningful are
                     related to how well the work is planned, scheduled, and controlled by
                     the road builder and those responsible for determining that work
                     satisfies design requirements and land management resource
                     objectives. Most erosion from road construction occurs within a few
                     years of disturbance.  Therefore, erosion control practices that provide
                     immediate results (such as mulching or hay bales) should be applied as
                     soon as possible to minimize potential erosion.

                     Drainage of the road prism, road fills in stream channels, and road fills
                     on steep slopes are the elements of greatest concern in road
                     management. Roads used for active timber hauling usually require the
                     most maintenance, and mainline roads typically require more
                     maintenance than spur roads.  Use of roads during wet or thaw periods
                     can result in a badly rutted surface, impaired drainage, and excessive
                     sediment leading to waterbodies. Inactive roads, not being used for
                     timber hauling, are often overlooked and receive little maintenance.

                     The following pollution prevention practices can be used for road
                     construction and use:
 Sector Notebook Project
73
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                      S     Follow the design developed during preharvest planning to
                             minimize erosion by properly timing and limiting ground
                             disturbance operations.

                      S     Design skid trail grades to be 15 percent or less. Do not locate
                             and construct roads with fills on slopes greater than 60 percent.

                      S     Avoid construction during fish egg incubation periods on
                             streams with important spawning areas.

                      S     Compact the road base at the proper moisture content,
                             surfacing, and grading to give the designed road surface
                             drainage shaping. Compact the fill to minimize erosion and
                             ensure road stability.

                      /"     Use straw bales, straw mulch, grass-seeding, hydromulch, and
                             other erosion control and revegetation techniques to complete
                             the construction project. These methods are used to protect
                             freshly disturbed.soils until vegetation can  be established.

                      /".    Use turnouts, wing ditches, and dips to disperse runoff and
                            reduce road surface drainage from flowing  directly into
                            watercourses.

                      S     Install surface drainage controls to remove  storm water from
                            the roadbed before the flow gains- enough volume and velocity
                            to erode the surface. Route discharge from  drainage structures
                            onto the forest floor so that water will disperse and infiltrate.

                     S     Install appropriate sediment control structures to trap
                            suspended sediment transported by runoff and prevent its
                            discharge into the aquatic environment.

                     i/     Revegetate or stabilize disturbed areas, especially at stream
                            crossings:

                     /"     Protect access points to the site that lead from a paved public
                            right-of-way with  stone, wood chips, corduroy logs, wooden
                            mats, or other material to prevent soil or mud from being
                            tracked onto the paved road.

                     S     Construct bridges  and install culverts during periods when
                            streamflow is low. Excavation for a bridge or a large culvert
Sector Notebook Project
74
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                           should not be performed in flowing water. The water should be
                           diverted around the work site during construction with a
                           cofferdam or stream diversion.

                           When soil moisture conditions are excessive, promptly suspend
                           earthwork operations and take measures to weatherproof the
                           partially completed work.

                           Locate burn bays away from water and drainage courses.

                           Maintain road surfaces by mowing, patching, or resurfacing as
                           necessary. Clear road inlet and outlet ditches, catch basins, and
                           culverts of obstructions. Blade and reshape the road surface to
                           conserve existing surface material to allow normal surface
                           runoff.
III.C.2. Timber Harvesting
              Timber harvesting includes felling trees, preparing them by limbing, cutting
              them into desired lengths, and moving them to a central, accessible location
              for transport out of the forested area. The timber is removed (skidded or
              yarded) to a temporary storage site or landing by one of three basic methods:
              tractor/skidder (on skid trails), groundlead or highlead cable, or various
              skyline cable methods. Balloons and helicopters are also used to a limited
              extent in some areas.

              The most common methods of harvesting in the United States are clearcutting,
              shelterwood, selection, and partial cutting.

              •      Clearcutting is the harvesting of all trees in an area in one cut to create
                    a new even-aged stand. The area harvested is large enough to create an
                    open condition. Economically, clearcutting is most efficient for the
                    logger because all trees are removed, and the feller and skidder
                    operator are not continually confronted with avoiding trees spared
                    from harvest. However, because of the large volumes of material per
                    unit area removed during clearcutting, more trips are required by the
                    skidder, causing the greatest disturbance to the forest litter and
                    underlying forest soil of all harvesting systems.

              •      In shelterwood harvesting, a mature stand is removed in a series of
                    cuts. Regeneration of a new stand occurs under the cover of a partial
                    forest canopy. The final harvest cut removes the sheltering canopy and
Sector Notebook Project
75
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                    permits the new existing stand to develop in the open as an even-aged
                    stand.

                    Selection harvesting involves the removal of mature or immature trees
                    either alone or in groups at somewhat regular time intervals from a
                    forest stand.  The objective of,this harvesting system is the
                    development and maintenance of an uneven-aged stand with trees of
                    different ages or sizes intermingled singly or in groups. Individual
                    (single) tree selection involves the removal of individual trees, while
                    group selection may remove several adjacent trees covering a small
                    fraction of an acre or larger numbers of trees covering areas as large as
                    one or two acres. Group selection is distinguished from clearcutting in
                    that the intent of group selection is ultimately to create a balance of age
                    or size classes in a mosaic of small contiguous groups throughout the
                    forest stand.

                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                    The most detrimental effects of harvesting, which include soil
                    disturbance, soil compaction, and direct disturbance of stream
                    channels, are related to the movement of vehicles and machinery in the
                    forest area, and the skidding and loading of trees or logs. These effects
                    can be enhanced or minimized depending on logging operation
                    planning, soil and cover type, slope, and the construction and use of
                    haul roads, skid trails, and landings for access to and movement of
                    logs.  Thus, harvesting method used directly affects the amount of
                    erosion, including the amount of sediment and organic debris that are
                    transported into streams from the forest floor.

                    Harvesting can also increase stream water temperatures (i.e., thermal
                    pollution) due to the removal of the canopy over streams, with the
                    greatest potential impacts occurring in small streams.  Temperature is a
                    significant aspect of water quality.  In some cases, it may strongly
                    influence dissolved oxygen concentrations and bacterial populations in
                    streams.

                    As with all harvesting methods, clearcutting can cause irreversible
                    adverse impacts to the environment and can destroy an area's
                    ecological integrity.  These impacts include:

                    •      The removal of forest canopy, which destroys the habitat for
                           many rainforest-dependent insects and bacteria.
Sector Notebook Project
76
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     •       The elimination offish and wildlife species due to soil erosion
                            and habitat loss.

                     •       The destruction of buffer zones which reduce the severity of
                            flooding by absorbing and holding water.

                     •       The removal of forest carbon sinks, leading to global warming
                            through the increased human-induced and natural carbon
                            dioxide build-up in the atmosphere.

                     •       The destruction of aesthetic values and recreational
                            opportunities.

                     •       Increased streamflow from removal of vegetation (resulting in
                            reduction in transpiration and evaporation functions), fish
                            passage barriers (i.e., improperly placed culverts), and
                            cumulative effects within the watershed.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention methods in timber harvesting are
                     designed to minimize sedimentation resulting from the siting and
                     operation of timber harvesting, and to manage petroleum products
                     properly. Logging practices that protect water quality and soil
                     productivity can reduce total mileage of roads and skid trails, lower
                     equipment maintenance costs, and provide better road protection and
                     lower road maintenance. Careful logging can disturb soil surfaces as
                     little as 8 percent, while careless logging practices can disturb soils as
                     much as 40 percent. Higher bulk densities and lower porosity of skid
                     road soils due to compaction by rubber-tired skidders result in reduced
                     soil infiltration capacity and corresponding increases in runoff and
                     erosion.

                     Locating landings for both groundskidding and cable yarding
                     harvesting systems according to preharvest planning minimizes erosion
                     and sediment delivery to surface waters. However, final siting of
                     landings may need to be adjusted in the field based on site
                     characteristics.

                     Landings and loading decks can become very compacted and puddled
                     and are therefore a source of runoff and erosion.  Practices that prevent
                     or disperse runoff from these areas before the runoff reaches
                     watercourses will minimize sediment delivery to  surface waters. Also,
                     any chemicals or petroleum products spilled in harvest areas can be
Sector Notebook Project
77
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     highly mobile, adversely affecting the water quality of nearby surface
                     waters. Appropriate spill prevention and containment procedures are
                     therefore necessary to prevent petroleum products from entering
                     surface waters.  Designation of appropriate areas for petroleum storage
                     will also minimize water quality impacts due to spills or leakage.

                     The following pollution prevention practices can be used during timber
                     harvesting operations.

                     Harvesting Practices

                     S     Harvest trees so that they fall away from watercourses,
                            whenever possible, keeping logging debris from the channel,
                            except where debris placement is specifically prescribed for
                            fish or wildlife habitat.

                     S     Any tree accidentally dropped in a waterway should be
                            immediately removed.

                     Practices for Landings

                     S     Landings should be no larger than necessary to safely and
                            efficiently store logs and load trucks.

                     S     The slope of landing fills should not exceed 40 percent, and
                            woody or organic debris should not be incorporated into fills.

                     S     If landings are to be used during wet periods, protect the
                            surface with a suitable material such as wooden matting or
                            gravel surfacing.

                     S     Install drainage structures for the landings such as water bars,
                            culverts, and ditches to avoid sedimentation.  Disperse landing
                            drainage over sideslopes. Provide filtration or settling if water
                            is concentrated in a ditch.

                     
-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     Groundskidding Practices

                     S     Skid uphill to log landings whenever possible. Skid with ends
                           of logs raised to reduce rutting and gouging.

                     ^     Skid perpendicular to the slope (along the contour), and avoid
                           skidding on slopes greater than 40 percent.

                     S     Avoid skid trail layouts that concentrate runoff into draws,
                           ephemeral drainages, or watercourses.

                     »/     Suspend groundskidding during wet periods, when excessive
                           rutting and churning of the soil begins, or when runoff from
                           skid trails is turbid and no longer infiltrates within a short
                           distance from the skid trail.  Further limitation of
                           groundskidding of logs, or use of cable yarding, maybe needed
                           on slopes where there are sensitive soils and/or during wet
                           periods.

                     S     Retire skid trails by installing water bars or other erosion
                           control and drainage devices, removing culverts, and
                           revegetating.

                     Cable Yarding Practices

                     Y ,    Use cabling systems or other systems when groundskidding
                           would expose excess mineral soil and induce erosion and
                           sedimentation.

                     S     Avoid cable yarding in or across watercourses.

                     i/     Yard logs uphill rather than downhill.

                     Petroleum Management Practices

                     i/     Service equipment where spilled fuel and oil cannot reach
                           watercourses, and drain all petroleum products and radiator
                           water into containers. Dispose of wastes and containers in
                           accordance with proper waste disposal procedures. Waste oil,
                           filters, grease cartridges, and other petroleum-contaminated
                           materials should not be left as refuse in the forest.
Sector Notebook Project
79
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts, •
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            Take precautions to prevent leakage and spills.  Fuel trucks and
                            pickup-mounted fuel tanks must not have leaks.

                            Develop a spill contingency plan that provides for immediate
                            spill containment and cleanup, and notification of proper
                            authorities.
III.C.3.  Site Preparation
              Site preparation is a management activity designed to increase productivity of
              a tract by controlling competing vegetation and debris that could slow seedling
              growth. It includes removal or deadening of unwanted vegetation prior to
              planting trees. Site preparation is accomplished by conducting prescribed
              burning, using herbicides, or disking (or otherwise altering) the soil.

                     Potential Pollution  Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The pollution outputs may include air emissions from the machinery
                     used, soil erosion during and after site preparation, and chemicals in
                     runoff. Mechanical site preparation by large tractors that shear, disk,
                     drum-chop, or root-rake a site may result in considerable soil
                     disturbance over large areas and has a high potential to degrade water
                     quality. Site preparation techniques that result in the removal of
                     vegetation and litter cover, soil compaction, exposure or disturbance of
                     the mineral soil, and increased storm flows due to decreased
                     infiltration and percolation, can contribute to increases in stream
                     sediment loads. However, erosion rates decrease over time as
                     vegetative cover grows back.  Prescribed burning and herbicides are
                     other methods used to prepare sites that may also have potential
                     negative effects on water quality.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention methods in site preparation are
                     designed to minimize sediment runoff caused by soil-disturbing
                     machinery and chemicals in runoff from herbicide applications.

                     Leaving the forest floor litter layer intact during site preparation
                     operations for regeneration minimizes mineral soil disturbance and
                     detachment, thereby minimizing erosion and sedimentation.
                     Maintenance of an unbroken litter layer prevents raindrop detachment,
                     maintains infiltration, and slows runoff. Mechanical site preparation
                     can potentially impact water quality in areas that have steep slopes and
                     erodible soils, and where the prepared site is located near a waterbody.
                     Use of mechanical site preparation treatments that expose mineral soils
Sector Notebook Project
80
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     on steep slopes can greatly increase erosion and landslide potential.
                     Alternative methods, such as dram chopping, herbicide application, or
                     prescribed burning, disturb the soil surface less than mechanical
                     practices.

                     The pollution prevention practices that can be used during site
                     preparation operations include:

                     S    Mechanical site preparation should not be applied on slopes
                           greater than 30 percent.

                     S    Mechanical site preparation should not be conducted in
                           streamside management areas. Also avoid mechanical site
                           preparation operations during periods of saturated soil
                           conditions that may cause ratting or accelerate soil erosion.

                     S    Avoid working downhill or uphill. Always work along the
                           contour. Site preparation often involves soil disturbance and
                           can cause extensive erosion if done in a way that increases
                           runoff potential. Leave strips of undisturbed soil  to help catch
                           any runoff on steep slopes.

                     S    When moving slash and debris into rows, avoid pulling up
                           topsoil with the debris. Many sites are degraded by the
                           removal of topsoil. Make sure that the dozer operator monitors
                           the operation closely and modifies his/her approach if soil
                           begins to build up in the rows.

                     ^    Use haystack piling where possible instead of windrows.

                     S    Locate windrows and piles away from drainages to prevent
                           movement of materials during high-runoff conditions.

                     S    Do not place slash in natural drainages, and remove any slash
                           that accidentally enters drainages.

                     S    Provide filter'strips of sufficient width to protect drainages that
                           do not have streamside management areas from sedimentation
                           by the 10-year storm  event.
Sector Notebook Project
81
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
III.C.4. Forest Regeneration
              Forest regeneration refers to the re-establishment of a forest cover on areas
              from which trees have been removed by some past occurrence, such as
              wildfire, timber harvesting, or temporary conversion to some other use than
              the growing of trees.  When trees have been absent from a site for a number of
              years, regeneration must generally be achieved through seeding and planting.
              Regeneration of a harvested area includes both the natural regenerative
              process and man's activities in preparing the site and subsequent planting or
              seeding. The method of regeneration is determined largely by the silvical
              characteristics of the tree species involved, site limitations, economic
              considerations, and the land manager's desire for forest composition.  In some
              plant communities, natural regeneration under any of the harvesting systems
              may also occur by regrowth from roots or stumps.

              Preparation, as well as protection of an area, is sometimes needed for regrowth
              of a stand. Where site preparation for regrowth is needed, major activities
              may include (1) debris removal to reduce fire hazard and allow use of
              equipment for subsequent operations, (2) reduction or removal of brush or
              shrub cover and undesirable tree species, and (3) cultivation of the soils.

                    Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts  ,
                    The pollution outputs may include air emissions from machinery used
                    for regeneration, sediment runoff caused by soil-disturbing machinery,
                    and nutrient runoff from fertilizer applications.

                    When used indiscriminately for site preparation, fire, chemicals, and
                    soil-disturbing machinery increase the potential for erosion and
                    sedimentation and other pollution to occur. The impacts from
                    sediment pollution as  well as pollution from nutrients in runoff would
                    be similar to those discussed in Sections III.A.I and III.A.3,
                    respectively. The time required before such pollution occurs is
                    variable depending upon climatic factors, soil productivity and its
                    influence  on the rate of plant growth, the species planted or seeded,
                    and the operational  schedule.  In some areas, the time span may be a
                    single growing season, while in others, it may cover several years.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                    The primary pollution prevention methods in forest regeneration are
                    designed to minimize sediment runoff caused by soil-disturbing
                    machinery and nutrient runoff from fertilizer applications.
                    Regeneration of harvested forest lands not only is important in terms
                    of restocking a valuable resource, but also is important to provide
Sector Notebook Project
82
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     water quality protection from disturbed soils. Tree roots stabilize
                     disturbed soils by holding the soil in place and aiding soil aggregation,
                     decreasing slope failure potential. The presence of vegetation on
                     disturbed soils also slows storm runoff, which in turn decreases
                     erosion.

                     Mechanical planting using machines that scrape or plow the soil
                     surface can produce erosion rills, increasing surface runoff and
                     erosion.  Natural regeneration, hand planting, and direct seeding
                     minimize soil disturbance, especially on steep slopes with erodible   '
                     soils. Fertilizers are occasionally introduced into forests to promote
                     growth.  Impacts of fertilizer application in forested areas could be
                     significantly reduced by avoiding application techniques that could
                     result in  direct deposition into waterbodies and by maintaining a buffer
                     area along the streambank.

                     The pollution prevention practices that can be used for forest
                     regeneration operations include the following:

                     S     Distribute seedlings evenly across the site.

                     
-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
              control low yalue hardwoods and unwanted shrub species, improve wildlife
              habitat, provide disease control, and improve accessibility. Fire is used
              deliberately under conditions where the area to be burned is predetermined
              and the intensity of fire is controlled.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The pollution outputs may include air emissions (smoke) from the fire
                     and soil erosion after the prescribed burning. Prescribed burning of
                     slash can increase erosion by eliminating protective cover and altering
                     soil properties. The degree of erosion following a prescribed burn
                     depends on soil credibility, slope, precipitation timing, precipitation
                     volume and intensity, fire severity, cover remaining on the soil, and
                     speed of revegetation.  Burning may also increase  storm runoff in areas
                     where all vegetation is killed. Such increases are partially attributable
                     to decreased evapotranspiration rates and reduced  canopy interception
                     of precipitation. Erosion resulting from prescribed burning is
                     generally less than that resulting from roads and skid trails and from
                     site preparation that causes intense soil disturbance. However,
                     significant erosion can occur during prescribed burning if the slash
                     being burned is collected or  piled, causing soil to be moved and
                     incorporated into the slash.  The impacts of .erosion and sediment
                     runoff would be similar to those discussed in Section HI. A.I.

                     Air emissions (smoke) from prescribed burning can have adverse
                     effects on smoke sensitive areas such as airports, resorts or recreation
                     areas, schools, hospitals, stock barns and holding pens, etc. Smoke
                     can cause reduced visibility or smoke irritation to livestock and
                     humans which may cause material loss and adverse health effects.

                    Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention methods in prescribed burning are
                     designed to minimize sediment runoff caused by removal of surface
                     cover and smoke from  fire. Prescribed burning is usually the  least
                    expensive method of obtaining several specific goals in forest
                    management. However, it should be planned well in advance to assure
                    success. Aerial photographs can be very helpful.  Areas that will
                    benefit most from a prescribed burn should be selected and priorities
                    should be set. High priority  will probably be protection of
                    unmerchantable size stands.  Burning stands can facilitate regeneration
                    and reduce site preparation costs.

                    If recommended burning techniques and weather conditions are
                    followed, most prescribed burning will not create smoke problems.
Sector Notebook Project
84
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     First, land managers should determine if any smoke sensitive areas are
                     near the burn. These are places where reduced visibility or smoke
                     irritation to livestock and humans could cause material loss and
                     adverse health effects. Examples of smoke sensitive areas are:
                     airports, heavily traveled highways, communities, resorts or recreation
                     areas, schools, hospitals, factories, stock barns and holding pens.

                     Prescribed burning should not be implemented if any sensitive area is
                     within three fourths of a mile downwind of the burn. Different wind
                     direction should be sought in these type of situations. Also, burning
                     should not be conducted if the area already has air pollution or a
                     visibility problem.  Burning should be carried out only when the
                     vertical dispersion is  good (from fire weather forecast).

                     The pollution prevention practices that can be used during prescribed
                     burning operations include the following:

                     
-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                            Execute the burn with a trained crew and avoid intense
                            burning.

                            Avoid burning on steep slopes with high erosion hazard areas
                            or highly erodible soils.
 III.C.6. Application of Chemicals
              Chemicals are becoming more and more a part of forestry.  Commercial
              fertilizers are applied to sizeable areas of forests as a means of stimulating
              growth of new plantations or established stands of trees.  Herbicides are used
              widely for site preparation and stand improvement. Insecticides are used less
              extensively, but still comprise the major defense against damaging insects in
              forests.

                     Potential Pollution Outputs and Environmental Impacts
                     The potential outputs from application of forest chemicals may include
                     runoff contaminated with chemicals associated with fertilizer and
                     pesticide application, and chemical air emissions. Fertilizer loss may
                     occur when fertilizers are improperly applied during the course of a
                     silvicultural operation.  Soluble forms of fertilizers may reach surface
                     or groundwater through runoff, seepage, and/or percolation. Insoluble
                     forms may be adsorbed on soil particles and reach surface water
                     through erosion processes. Nutrients may also reach surface water by
                     direct washoff of slash, debris, and recently applied fertilizer.
                     Excessive nutrients can lead to imbalance in the natural life cycles of
                     water bodies.

                     Pesticides, when applied during forest management operations, may be
                     insoluble or soluble.  Pesticides when applied aerially and in a
                     broadcast manner may directly enter the surface waters.  These
                     chemicals  then follow approximately the  same pattern as nutrients.
                     Pesticides, applied by the above methods, in a manner inconsistent
                     with the label, may result in acute toxicity problems in water bodies.

                     Pollution Prevention/Waste Minimization Opportunities
                     The primary pollution prevention methods in operations associated
                     with the application of chemicals are designed to minimize runoff
                     contaminated with chemicals from fertilizer and pesticide application,
                     and chemical air emissions. Nutrient pollution from fertilization on
                     forest lands is controlled by using techniques which avoid direct
                     application to surface waters. Also involved are the elimination of
                     excessive applications, the selection of the proper fertilizer
Sector Notebook Project
86
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Summary of Operations, Impacts,
            & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                     formulation, and the proper timing and method of application. The
                     key factors in the selection of the type of fertilizer and the method of
                     application which are most appropriate for pollution control are local
                     soil nutrient deficiencies, the physical condition of the soil, the plant
                     species requirements, cost factors, weather conditions, access, and
                     topography.

                     The most common mechanism of pesticide pollution is direct transport
                     by runoff. However, the mechanisms of leaching or subsurface flows
                     may be important in areas of highly porous geologic materials,
                     permeable soils, or high water tables.  Practices that control erosion
                     and runoff also reduce loss of applied pesticides. In addition to these
                     practices, a number of other frequently used options exist. These
                     options involve manipulation of the pesticide itself such as form,
                     timing of application, etc. These can be used alone or in conjunction
                     with the erosion and runoff control measures.

                     The pollution prevention practices that can be used during the
                     application of forest chemicals include the following:

                     »/     For aerial spray applications, maintain and mark a buffer area
                            of at least 50 feet around all watercourses and waterbodies to
                            avoid drift or accidental application of chemicals directly to
                            surface water. Also use nozzles and spray equipment that will
                            reduce pesticide drift. With broadcast applications, use
                            thickening agents, lower pressures, and larger nozzle sizes to
                            keep the pesticide spray where it is applied.

                     S     Apply pesticides and fertilizers during favorable weather
                            conditions.

                     S     Always use pesticides in accordance with label instructions,
                            and adhere to all federal and state policies and regulations
                            governing pesticide use. The pesticide label may specify:
                            whether users must be trained and certified in the proper use of
                            the pesticide; allowable use rates; safe handling, storage, and
                            disposal requirements; and whether the pesticide can only be
                            used under the provision of an approved Pesticide State
                            Management Plan. Management measures and practices for
                            pesticides should be consistent with and/or complement those
                            in the approved Pesticide State Management Plans.
 Sector Notebook Project
87
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Summary of Operations, Impacts,
             & Pollution Prevention Opportunities
                             Locate mixing and loading areas, and clean all mixing and
                             loading equipment thoroughly after each use, in a location
                             where pesticide residues will not enter streams or other
                             waterbodies.

                             Dispose of pesticide wastes and containers according to state
                             and federal laws.

                             Take precautions to prevent leaks and/or spills.

                             Develop a spill contingency plan that provides for immediate
                             spill containment and cleanup, and notification of proper
                             authorities.

                             Apply slow-release fertilizers, when possible.

                             Apply fertilizers during maximum plant uptake periods to
                             minimize leaching.

                             Base fertilizer type and application rate on soil and/or foliar
                             analysis.

                             Consider the use of pesticides  as part of an overall program to
                             control pest problems.

                             Base selection of pesticide on site factors and pesticide
                             characteristics.

                             Check all application equipment carefully, particularly for
                             leaking hoses and connections and plugged or worn nozzles.
                             Calibrate spray equipment periodically to achieve uniform
                            pesticide distribution and rate.
Sector Notebook Project
88
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
IV.  SUMMARY OF APPLICABLE FEDERAL STATUTES AND REGULATIONS

             This section discusses the federal regulations that may apply to this sector.
             The purpose of this section is to highlight and briefly describe the applicable
             federal requirements, and to provide citations for more detailed information.
             The three following sections are included:
                    Section IV. A contains a general overview of major statutes
                    Section FV.B contains a list of regulations specific to this industry
                    Section IV.C contains a list of pending and proposed regulatory
                    requirements.
             The descriptions within Section IV are intended solely for general
             information. Depending upon the nature or scope of the activities at a
             particular facility, these summaries may or may not necessarily describe all
             applicable environmental requirements. Moreover, they do not constitute
             formal interpretations or clarifications of the statutes and regulations. For
             further information, readers should consult the Code of Federal Regulations
             (CFR) and other state or local regulatory agencies. EPA Hotline contacts are
             also provided for each major statute. For specific agricultural information,
             contact The National Agricultural Compliance Assistance Center at
             (888) 663-2155 or visit the website at http://www.epa.gov/agriculture.-

IV.A. General Description of Major Statutes

       Clean Water Act

           •  The primary objective of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly
             referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA), is to restore and maintain the
             chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's surface waters.
             Pollutants regulated under the CWA are classified as either "toxic" pollutants;
             "conventional" pollutants, such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total
             suspended solids (TSS), fecal coliform, oil and grease, and pH; or "non-
             conventional" pollutants, including any pollutant not identified as either
             conventional or priority.

             The CWA regulates both direct and "indirect" dischargers (those who
             discharge to publicly owned treatment works).  The National Pollutant
             Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program (CWA §402)
             controls direct discharges into navigable waters. Direct discharges or "point
             source" discharges are from sources such as pipes and sewers. NPDES
             permits, issued by either EPA or an authorized state (EPA has authorized 43
             states and 1  territory to administer the NPDES program), contain industry-
             specific, technology-based and water quality-based limits and establish
Sector Notebook Project
89
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                             General Overview
               pollutant monitoring and reporting requirements. A facility that proposes to
               discharge into the nation's waters must obtain a permit prior to initiating a
               discharge. A permit applicant must provide quantitative analytical data
               identifying the types of pollutants present in the facility's effluent.  The permit
               will then set forth the conditions and effluent limitations under which a facility
               may make a discharge.

               Water quality-based discharge limits are based on federal or state water quality
               criteria or standards, that were designed to protect designated uses of surface
               waters, such as supporting aquatic life or recreation.  These standards, unlike
               the technology-based standards, generally do not take into account
               technological feasibility or costs. Water quality criteria and standards vary
               from state to state, and site to site, depending on the use classification of the
               receiving body of water.  Most states follow EPA guidelines which propose
               aquatic life and human health criteria for many of the 126 priority pollutants.

               Storm Water Discharges
               In 1987 the CWA was amended to require EPA to establish a program to
               address storm water discharges.  In response, EPA promulgated NPDES
               permitting regulations for storm water  discharges. These regulations require
               that facilities with the following types of storm water discharges, among
               others, apply for an NPDES permit: (1) a discharge associated with industrial
               activity; (2) a discharge from a large or medium municipal storm sewer
               system; or (3) a discharge which EPA or the state determines to contribute to a
               violation of a water quality standard or is a significant contributor of
               pollutants to waters of the United States.

               The term "storm water discharge associated with industrial activity" means a
               storm water discharge from one of 11 categories of industrial activity defined
               at 40 CFR §122.26.  Six of the categories are defined by SIC codes while the
               other five are identified through narrative descriptions of the regulated
               industrial activity. If the primary SIC code of the facility is one of those ,
               identified in the regulations, the facility is subject to the storm water permit
               application requirements. If any activity at a facility is covered by one of the
               five narrative categories, storm water discharges from those areas where the
               activities occur are subject to storm water discharge permit application
              requirements.

              Those facilities/activities that are subject to storm water discharge permit
              application requirements are identified below.  To determine whether a
              particular facility falls within one of these categories, the regulation should be
              consulted.
Sector Notebook Project
90
                               September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulation's:
                            General Overview
              Category i: Facilities subject to storm water effluent guidelines, new source
              performance standards, or toxic pollutant effluent standards.

              Category ii:  Facilities classified as SIC 24-lumber and wood products
              (except wood kitchen cabinets); SIC 26-paper and allied products (except
              paperboard containers and products); SIC 28-chemicals and allied products
              (except drugs and paints); SIC 29-petroleum refining; SIC 311-leather tanning
              and finishing; SIC 32 (except 323)-stone, clay, glass, and concrete; SIC 33-
              primary metals; SIC 3441-fabricated structural metal; and SIC 373-ship and
              boat building and repairing.

              Category iii: Facilities classified as SIC 10-metal mining; SIC 12-coal
              mrning; SIC 13-oil and gas extraction; and SIC 14-nonmetallic mineral
              mining.

              Category iv: Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities.

              Category v:  Landfills,  land application sites, and open dumps that receive or
              have received industrial wastes.

              Category vi: Facilities classified as SIC 5015-used motor vehicle parts; and
              SIC 5093-automotive scrap and waste material recycling facilities.

              Category vii: Steam electric power generating facilities.

              Category viii:  Facilities classified as SIC 40-railroad transportation; SIC 41-
              local passenger transportation; SIC 42-trucking and warehousing (except
              public warehousing and storage); SIC 43-U.S.  Postal Service; SIC 44-water
              transportation; SIC 45-transportation by air; and SIC 5171-petroleum bulk
              storage stations and terminals.

              Category ix: Sewage treatment works.

              Category x:  Construction activities except operations that result in the
              disturbance of less than five acres of total land area.

              Category xi: Facilities classified as SIC 20-food and kindred products; SIC
              21-tobacco products; SIC 22-textile mill products; SIC 23-apparel related
              products; SIC 2434-wood kitchen cabinets manufacturing; SIC 25-furniture
              and fixtures; SIC 265-paperboard containers and boxes; SIC 267-converted
              paper and paperboard products; SIC 27-printing, publishing, and allied
              industries; SIC 283-drugs; SIC 285-paints, varnishes, lacquer, enamels, and
              allied products; SIC 30-rubber and plastics; SIC 31-leather and leather
              products (except leather and tanning and finishing); SIC 323-glass products;
 Sector Notebook Project
91
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
              SIC 34-fabricated metal products (except fabricated structural metal); SIC 35-
              industrial and commercial machinery and computer equipment; SIC 36-
              electronic and other electrical equipment and components; SIC 37-
              transportation equipment (except ship and boat building and repairing); SIC
              38-measuring, analyzing, and controlling instruments; SIC 39-miscellaneous
              manufacturing industries; and SIC 4221 -4225-public warehousing and
              storage.

              Pretreatment Program
              Another type of discharge that is regulated by the CWA is one that goes to a
              publicly owned treatment works (POTW). The national pretreatment program
              (CWA § 307(b)) controls the indirect discharge of pollutants to POTWs by
              "industrial users." Facilities regulated under §307(b) must meet certain
              pretreatment standards. The goal of the pretreatment program is to protect
              municipal wastewater treatment plants from damage that may occur when
              hazardous, toxic, or other wastes are discharged into a sewer system and to
              protect the quality of sludge generated by these plants.

              EPA has developed technology-based standards for industrial users of
              POTWs.  Different standards apply to existing and new sources within each
              category. "Categorical" pretreatment standards applicable to an industry on a
              nationwide basis are developed  by EPA. In addition, another kind of
              pretreatment standard, "local limits," are developed by the POTW in order to
              assist the POTW in achieving the effluent limitations in its NPDES permit.

              Regardless of whether a state is authorized to implement either the NPDES or
              the pretreatment program, if it develops its own program, it may enforce
              requirements more stringent than federal standards.

              Wetlands
              Wetlands, commonly called swamps, marshes, fens, bogs, vernal pools,
              playas, and prairie potholes, are a subset of "waters of the United States," as
              defined in Section 404 of the CWA. The placement of dredge and fill material
              into wetlands and other water bodies (i.e., waters of the United States) is
              regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) under 33 CFR Part
              328.  The Corps regulates wetlands by administering the CWA Section 404
              permit program for activities that impact wetlands. EPA's authority under
              Section 404 includes veto power of Corps permits, authority to interpret
              statutory exemptions and jurisdiction, enforcement actions, and delegating the
              Section 404 program to the states.

              EPA's Office of Water, at (202)  260-5700, will direct callers with questions
              about the CWA to the appropriate EPA office.  EPA also maintains a
              bibliographic database of Office of Water publications which can be accessed
Sector Notebook Project
.92
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes arid Regulations:
                             General Overview
              through the Ground Water and Drinking Water resource center, at (202) 260-
              7786.

              Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation
              Section 31 l(b) of the CWA prohibits the discharge of oil, in such quantities as
              may be harmful, into the navigable waters of the United States and adjoining
              shorelines. The EPA Discharge of Oil regulation, 40 CFR Part 110, provides
              information regarding these discharges. The Oil Pollution Prevention   '
              regulation, 40 CFR Part 112, under the authority of Section 311 (j) of the
              CWA, requires regulated facilities to prepare and implement Spill Prevention
              Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans. The intent of a SPCC plan is to
              prevent the discharge of oil from onshore and offshore non-transportation-
              related facilities. In 1990 Congress passed the Oil  Pollution Act which
              amended Section 311(j) of the CWA to require facilities that because of their
              location could reasonably be expected to cause "substantial harm" to the
              environment by a discharge of oil to  develop and implement Facility Response
              Plans (FRP). The intent of a FRP is  to provide for planned responses to
              discharges of oil.

              A facility is SPCC-regulated if the facility, due to its location, could
              reasonably be expected to discharge oil into or upon the navigable waters of
              the United States or adjoining shorelines, and the facility meets one of the
              following criteria regarding oil  storage: (1) the capacity of any aboveground
              storage tank exceeds 660 gallons, or  (2) the total aboveground storage capacity
              exceeds 1,320 gallons, or (3) the underground storage capacity exceeds 42,000
              gallons. 40 CFR § 112.7 contains the format and content requirements for a
              SPCC plan. In New Jersey, SPCC plans can be combined with DPCC plans,
              required by the state, provided there is an appropriate cross-reference index to
              the requirements of both regulations  at the front of the plan.

              According to the FRP regulation, a facility can cause "substantial harm" if it
              meets one of the following criteria: (1) the facility has a total oil storage
              capacity greater than or equal to 42,000 gallons and. transfers oil over water to
              or from vessels; or  (2) the facility has a total oil storage capacity greater than
              or equal to 1 million gallons and meets any one of the following conditions: (i)
              does not have adequate secondary containment, (ii) a discharge could cause
              "injury" to fish and wildlife and sensitive environments, (iii) shut down a
              public drinking water intake, or (iv) has had a reportable oil spill greater than
              or equal to 10,000 gallons in the past 5 years. Appendix F of 40 CFR Part 112
              contains the format and content requirements for a FRP.  FRPs that meet
              EPA's requirements can be combined with U.S. Coast Guard FRPs or other
              contingency plans, provided there is an appropriate cross-reference index to
              the requirements of all applicable regulations at the front of the plan.
Sector Notebook Project
93
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                           General Overview
             For additional information regarding SPCCplans, contact EPA's RCRA,
             Superfimd, andEPCRA Hotline, at (800) 424-9346. Additional documents and
             resources can be obtained from the hotline's homepage at
             www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline. The hotline operates weekdays from 9:00
             a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.

       Coastal Zone Management Act

             The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) encourages states/tribes to
             preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance valuable
             natural coastal resources such as wetlands, floodplains, estuaries, beaches,
             dunes, barrier islands, and coral reefs, as well as the fish and wildlife using
             those habitats. It includes areas bordering the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic
             Oceans, Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, and Great Lakes. A unique
             feature of this law is that participation by states/tribes is voluntary.

             In the Coastal Zone Management Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA)
             of 1990, Congress identified nonpoint source pollution as a major factor in the
             continuing degradation of coastal waters.  Congress also recognized that
             effective solutions to nonpoint source pollution could be implemented at the
             state/tribe and local levels. In CZARA, Congress  added Section 6217 (16
             U.S.C. § 1455b), which calls upon states/tribes with federally-approved
             coastal zone management programs to develop and implement coastal
             nonpoint pollution control programs. The Section 6217 program is
             administered at the federal level jointly by EPA and the National Oceanic and
             Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

             Section 6217(g) called for EPA, in consultation with other agencies, to
             develop guidance on "management measures" for sources of nonpoint source
             pollution in coastal waters. Under Section 6217, EPA is responsible for
             developing technical guidance to assist states/tribes in designing coastal
             nonpoint pollution control programs. On January 19, 1993, EPA issued its
             Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Sources of Nonpoint
             Pollution in Coastal Waters, which addresses five major source categories of
             nonpoint pollution:  (1) urban runoff, (2) agriculture runoff, (3) forestry runoff,
             (4) marinas and recreational boating, and (5) hydromodification.

             Additional information on coastal zone management may be obtained from
             EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds at
             http://www.epa.gov/owow or from the Watershed Information Network at
             http://www.epa.gov/win.  The NOAA website at
             http://www.nos.noaa.gov/ocrm/czm/also contains additional information on
             coastal zone management.
Sector Notebook Project
94
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
       Safe Drinking Water Act

              The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) mandates that EPA establish
              regulations to protect human health from contaminants in drinking water. The
              law authorizes EPA to develop national drinking water standards and to create
              a joint federal-state system to ensure compliance with these standards.  The
              SDWA also directs EPA to protect underground sources of drinking water
              through the control of underground injection of fluid wastes.

              EPA has developed primary and secondary drinking water standards under its
              SDWA authority.  EPA and authorized states enforce the primary drinking
              water standards, which are, contaminant-specific concentration limits that
              apply to certain public drinking water supplies. Primary drinking water
              standards consist of maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs), which are
              non-enforceable health-based goals, and maximum contaminant levels
              (MCLs), which are enforceable limits set generally as close to MCLGs as
              possible, considering cost and feasibility of attainment.

              The SDWA Underground Injection Control (UIC) program (40 CFR Parts
              144-148) is a permit  program which protects underground sources of drinking
              water by regulating five classes of injection wells. UIC permits include design,
              operating, inspection, and monitoring requirements. Wells used to inject
              hazardous wastes must also comply with RCRA corrective action standards in
              order to be granted a RCRA permit, and must meet applicable RCRA land
              disposal restrictions standards. The UIC permit program is often state/tribe-
              enforced, since EPA  has authorized many states/tribes to administer the
              program.  Currently,  EPA shares the UIC permit program responsibility in
              seven states and completely runs the program in 10 states and on all tribal
              lands.                    .                     .

              The SDWA also provides for a federally-implemented Sole Source Aquifer
              program, which prohibits federal funds from being expended on projects that
              may contaminate the sole or principal source of drinking water for a given
              area, "and for a state-implemented Wellhead Protection program, designed to
              protect drinking water wells and drinking water recharge areas.

              The SDWA Amendments of 1996 require states to develop and implement
              source water assessment programs (SWAPs) to analyze existing and potential
              threats to the quality  of the public drinking  water throughout the state. Every
              state is required to  submit a program to EPA and to complete all assessments
              within 3 1A years of EPA approval of the program. SWAPs include: (1)
              delineating the source water protection area, (2) conducting a contaminant
              source inventory, (3)  determining the susceptibility of the public water supply
Sector Notebook Project
95
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                           General Overview
             to contamination from the inventories sources, and (4) releasing the results of
             the assessments to the public.

             EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline, at (800) 426-4791, answers questions
             and distributes guidance pertaining to SD WA standards.  The Hotline
             operates from 9:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.
             Visit the website at http://www.epa.gov/ogwdwfor additional material.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
              The Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), as amended by the Resource
              Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, addresses solid and
              hazardous waste management activities.  The Act is commonly referred to as
              RCRA. The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of 1984
              strengthened RCRA's waste management provisions and added Subtitle I,
              which governs underground storage tanks (USTs).

              Regulations promulgated pursuant to Subtitle C of RCRA (40 CFR Parts
              260-299) establish a "cradle-to-grave" system governing hazardous waste
              from the point of generation to disposal.  RCRA hazardous wastes include the
              specific materials listed in the regulations (discarded commercial chemical
              products, designated with the code "P" or "U"; hazardous wastes from specific
              industries/sources, designated with the code "K"; or hazardous wastes from
              non-specific sources, designated with the code "F") or materials which exhibit
              a hazardous waste characteristic (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity
              and designated with the code "D").

              Entities that generate hazardous waste are subject to waste accumulation,
              manifesting, and recordkeeping standards. A hazardous waste facility may
              accumulate hazardous waste for up to 90 days (or 180 days depending on the
              amount generated per month) without a permit or interim status. Generators
              may also treat hazardous waste iri accumulation tanks or containers (in
              accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 262.34) without a permit or
              interim status.

              Facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste are generally required
              to obtain a RCRA permit. Subtitle C permits for treatment, storage, or
              disposal facilities contain general facility standards such as contingency plans,
              emergency procedures, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, financial
              assurance mechanisms, and unit-specific standards. RCRA also contains
              provisions (40 CFR Subparts I and S) for conducting corrective actions which
              govern the cleanup  of releases of hazardous  waste or constituents from solid
              waste management units at RCRA treatment, storage, or disposal facilities.
Sector Notebook Project
96
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
              Although RCRA is a federal statute, many states implement the RCRA
              program. Currently, EPA has delegated its authority to implement various
              provisions of RCRA to 47 of the 50 states and two U.S. territories. Delegation
              has not been given to Alaska, Hawaii, or Iowa.

              Most RCRA requirements are not industry specific but apply to any company
              that generates, transports, treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste. Here
              are some important RCRA regulatory requirements:

                     Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and
                     Practices (40 CFR Part 257) establishes the criteria for determining
                     which solid waste disposal facilities and practices pose a reasonable
                     probability of adverse effects on health or the environment. The
                     criteria were adopted to ensure non-municipal, non-hazardous waste
                     disposal units that receive conditionally exempt small quantity
                     generator waste do not present risks to human health and environment.

                     Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (40 CFR Part 258)
                     establishes minimum national criteria for all municipal solid waste
                     landfill units, including those that are used to dispose of sewage
                     sludge.

                    Identification of Solid and Hazardous Wastes (40 CFR Part 261)
                     establishes the standard to determine whether the material in question
                    is considered a solid waste and, if so, whether it is a hazardous waste
                    or is exempted from regulation.

                    Standards for Generators of Hazardous Waste (40 CFR Part 262)
                    establishes the responsibilities of hazardous waste generators including
                    obtaining an EPA ID number, preparing a manifest, ensuring proper
                    packaging and labeling, meeting standards for waste accumulation
                    units, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Generators can
                    accumulate hazardous waste on-site for up to 90 days (or 180 days
                    depending on the amount of waste generated) without obtaining a
                    permit.

                    Land Disposal Restrictions (LDRs) (40 CFR Part 268) are
                    regulations prohibiting the disposal of hazardous waste on land
                    without prior treatment. Under the LDRs program, materials must
                    meet treatment standards prior to placement in a RCRA land disposal
                    unit (landfill, land treatment unit, waste pile, or surface impoundment).
                    Generators of waste subject to the LDRs must provide notification of
                    such to the designated TSD facility to ensure proper treatment prior to
                    disposal.
Sector Notebook Project
97
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
                    Used Oil Management Standards (40 CFR Part 279) impose
                    management requirements affecting the storage, transportation,
                    burning, processing, and re-refining of the used oil. For parties that
                    merely generate used oil, regulations establish storage standards. For a
                    party considered a used oil processor, re-refiner, burner, or marketer
                    (one who generates and sells off-specification used oil directly to a
                    used oil burner), additional tracking and paperwork requirements must
                    be satisfied.

                    RCRA contains unit-specific standards for all units used to store, treat,
                    or dispose of hazardous waste, including Tanks and Containers.
                    Tanks and containers used to store hazardous waste with a high
                    volatile organic concentration must meet emission standards under
                    RCRA. Regulations (40 CFR Part 264-265, Subpart CC) require
                    generators to test the waste to determine the concentration of the
                    waste, to satisfy tank and container emissions standards, and to inspect
                    and monitor regulated units.  These regulations apply to all facilities
                    who store such waste, including large quantity generators
                    accumulating waste prior to shipment offsite.

                    Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) containing petroleum and
                    hazardous substances are regulated under Subtitle I of RCRA.  Subtitle
                    I regulations (40 CFR Part 280) contain tank design and release
                    detection requirements, as well as financial responsibility and
                    corrective action standards for USTs. The UST program also includes
                    upgrade requirements for existing tanks that were to be  met by
                    December 22, 1998.

                    Boilers and Industrial Furnaces (BIFs) that use or burn fuel
                    containing hazardous waste must comply with design and operating
                    standards. BIF regulations  (40 CFR Part 266, Subpart H) address unit
                    design, provide performance standards, require emissions monitoring,
                    and, in some cases, restrict the type of waste that may be burned.

                    EPA's RCRA, Superfund, andEPCRA Hotline, at (800)  424-9346,
                    responds to questions and distributes guidance regarding all RCRA
                    regulations. Additional documents and resources can be obtained
                    from the hotline's homepage at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline.  The
                    RCRA Hotline operates weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EST,
                    excluding federal holidays.
Sector Notebook Project
98
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
              Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                          General Overview
       Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, And Liability Act

             The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
             Act (CERCLA), a 1980 law commonly known as Superfund, authorizes EPA
             to respond to releases, or threatened releases, of hazardous substances that
             may endanger public health, welfare, or the environment.  CERCLA also
             enables EPA to force parties responsible for environmental contamination to
             clean it up or to reimburse the Superfund for response or remediation costs
             incurred by EPA. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
             (SARA) of 1986 revised various sections of CERCLA, extended the taxing
             authority for the Superfund, and created a free-standing law, SARA Title HI,
             also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
             (EPCRA).         ,

             The CERCLA hazardous substance release reporting regulations (40 CFR Part
             302) direct the person in charge of a facility to report to the National Response
             Center (NRC) any environmental release of a hazardous substance which
             equals or exceeds a reportable quantity.  Reportable quantities are listed in 40
             CFR §302.4. A release report may trigger a response by EPA, or by one or
             more federal or state emergency response authorities.

             EPA implements hazardous substance responses according to procedures
             outlined in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
             Plan (NCP) (40 CFR Part 300). The NCP includes provisions for cleanups.
             The National Priorities List (NPL) currently includes approximately 1,300
             sites.  Both EPA and states can act at other sites; however, EPA provides
             responsible parties the opportunity to conduct cleanups and encourages
             community involvement throughout the Superfund response process.

             EPA's RCRA, Superfund and EPCRA Hotline, at (800) 424-9346, answers
             questions and references guidance pertaining to the Superfund program.
             Documents and resources can be obtained from the hotline's homepage at
             http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline. The Superfund Hotline operates
             weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.

       Emergency Planning And Community Right-To-Know Act

             The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986
             created the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
             (EPCRA, also known as SARA Title III), a statute designed to improve
             community access to information about chemical hazards and to facilitate thp
             development of chemical emergency response plans by state and local
             governments. Under EPCRA, states establish State Emergency Response"
             Commissions (SERCs), responsible for coordinating certain emergency
 Sector Notebook Project
99
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                	     General Overview
               response activities and for appointing Local Emergency Planning Committees
               (LEPCs).

               EPCRA and the EPCRA regulations (40 CFR Parts 350-372) establish four
               types of reporting obligations for facilities which store or manage specified
               chemicals:

                     EPCRA § 302 requires facilities to notify the SERC and LEPC of the
                     presence of any extremely hazardous substance at the facility in an
                     amount in excess of the established threshold planning quantity. The
                     list of extremely hazardous substances and their threshold planning
                     quantities is found at 40 CFR Part 355, Appendices A and B.

                     EPCRA § 303 requires that each LEPC develop an emergency plan.
                     The plan must contain (but is not limited to) the identification of
                     facilities within the planning district, likely routes for transporting
                     extremely hazardous substances, a description of the methods and
                     procedures to be followed by facility owners and operators, and the
                     designation of community and facility emergency response
                     coordinators.

                     EPCRA § 304 requires the facility to notify the SERC and the LEPC
                     in the event of a release exceeding the reportable quantity of a
                     CERCLA hazardous substance (defined at 40 CFR 302) or an EPCRA
                     extremely hazardous substance.

                     EPCRA § 311 and § 312 requires a facility at which a hazardous
                     chemical, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, is
                     present in an amount exceeding a specified threshold to submit to the
                     SERC, LEPC and local fire department material safety data sheets
                     (MSDSs) or lists of MSDSs and hazardous chemical inventory forms
                     (also known as Tier I and II forms). This information helps the local
                     government respond in the event of a spill or release of the chemical.

                     EPCRA § 313 requires certain covered facilities, including SIC codes
                     20 through 39  and others, which have ten or more employees, and
                     which manufacture, process, or use specified  chemicals in amounts
                     greater than threshold quantities, to submit an annual toxic chemical
                     release report.  This report, commonly known as the Form R, covers
                     releases and transfers of toxic chemicals to various facilities and
                     environmental media.  EPA maintains the data reported in a publically
                     accessible database known as the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Sector Notebook Project
100
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                            General Overview
             All information submitted pursuant to EPCRA regulations is publicly
             accessible, unless protected by a trade secret claim.

             EPA's RCRA, Superfund and EPCRA Hotline, at (800) 535-0202, answers
             questions and distributes guidance regarding the emergency planning and
             community right-to-know regulations. Documents and resources can be
             obtained from the hotline's homepage at
             http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline. The EPCRA Hotline operates
             weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.
       Clean Air Act
              The Clean Air Act (CAA) and its amendments-are designed to "protect and
              enhance the nation's air resources so as to promote the public health and
              welfare and the productive capacity of the population." The CAA consists of
              six sections, known as Titles, which direct EPA to establish national standards
              for ambient air quality and for EPA and the states to implement, maintain, and
              enforce these standards through a variety of mechanisms. Under the CAA,
              many facilities are required to obtain operating permits that consolidate their
              air emission requirements.  State and local governments oversee, manage, and
              enforce many of the requirements of the CAA. CAA regulations appear at 40
              CFR Parts 50-99.

              Pursuant to  Title I of the CAA, EPA has established national ambient air
              quality standards (NAAQSs) to  limit levels of "criteria pollutants," including
              carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur
              dioxide. Geographic areas that meet NAAQSs for a given pollutant are
              designated as attainment areas; those that do not meet NAAQSs are
              designated as non-attainment areas. Under §110 and other provisions of the
              CAA,  each state must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to identify
              sources of air pollution and to determine what reductions are required to meet
              federal air quality standards. Revised NAAQSs for particulates and ozone
              were proposed in 1996 and will become effective in 2001.

              Title I also authorizes EPA to establish New Source Performance Standards
              (NSPS), which are nationally uniform emission standards for new  and
              modified stationary sources falling within particular industrial categories.
              NSPSs are based on the pollution control technology available to that category
              of industrial source (see 40 CFR Part 60).

              Under Title I, EPA establishes and enforces National Emission Standards for
              Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), nationally uniform standards oriented
              toward controlling specific hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Section 112(c)
              of the  CAA further directs EPA to develop a list of sources that emit any of
Sector Notebook Project
101
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                             General Overview
              188 HAPs, and to develop regulations for these categories of sources.  To
              date, EPA has listed 185 source categories and developed a schedule for the
              establishment of emission standards. The emission standards are being
              developed for both new and existing sources based on "maximum achievable
              control technology" (MACT). The MACT is defined as the control
              technology achieving the maximum degree of reduction in the emission of the
              HAPs, taking into account cost and other factors.

              Title II of the CAA pertains to mobile sources, such as cars, trucks, buses, and
              planes. Reformulated gasoline, automobile pollution control devices, and
              vapor recovery nozzles on gas pumps are a few of the mechanisms EPA uses
              to regulate mobile air emission sources.

              Title IV-A establishes a sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions program
              designed to reduce the formation of acid rain. Reduction of sulfur dioxide
              releases will be obtained by granting to certain sources limited emissions
              allowances that are set below previous levels of sulfur dioxide releases.

              Title V of the CAA establishes an operating permit program for all "major
              sources" (and certain other sources) regulated under the CAA.  One purpose of
              the operating permit is to include in a single document all air emissions
              requirements that apply to a given facility. States have developed the permit
              programs in accordance with guidance and regulations from EPA. Once a
              state program is approved by EPA, permits are issued and monitored by that
              state.

              Title VI of the CAA is intended to protect stratospheric ozone by phasing out
              the manufacture of ozone-depleting chemicals and restricting their use  and
              distribution. Production of Class I substances, including 15 kinds of
              chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were phased out (except for essential uses) in
              1996.  Methyl bromide, a common pesticide, has been identified as a
              significant stratospheric ozone depleting chemical. The production and
              importation of methyl bromide, therefore, is currently being phased out in the
              United States and internationally.  As specified in the Federal Register  of June
              1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 104) and in 40 CFR Part 82, methyl bromide
              production and importation will be reduced from 1991 levels by 25% in 1999,
              by 50% in 2001, by 70% in 2003, and completely phased out by 2005.  Some
              uses of methyl bromide, such as the production, importation, and consumption
              of methyl bromide to fumigate commodities entering or leaving the United
              States or any state (or political subdivision thereof) for purposes of
              compliance with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service requirements or
              with any international, federal, state, or local sanitation or food protection
              standard, will be exempt from this rule. After 2005, exceptions may also be
              made for critical agricultural uses. The United States EPA and the United
Sector Notebook Project
102
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                           General Overview
              Nations Environmental Programme have identified alternatives to using
              methyl bromide in agriculture. Information on methyl bromide phase-out,
              including alternatives can be found at the EPA Methyl Bromide Phase-Out
              Web Site: (http://www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/mbr/mbrqa.html).

              EPA's Clean Air Technology Center, at (919) 541-0800 and at the Center's
              homepage at www.epa.gov/ttn/catc, provides general assistance and
              information on CAA standards. The Stratospheric Ozone Information
              Hotline, at (800) 296-1996 and at http://www.epa.gov/ozone, provides general
              information about regulations promulgated under Title VI of the CAA; EPA's
              EPCRA Hotline, at (800) 535-0202 and at
              http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline, answers questions about accidental
              release prevention under CAA §112(r); and information on air toxics can be
              accessed through the Unified Air Toxics website at
              http://www.epa.gov/ttn/uatw. In addition,  the Clean Air Technology Center's
              website includes recent CAA rules, EPA guidance documents, and updates of
              EPA activities.

       Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

              The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) was first
              passed in 1947, and amended numerous times, most recently by the Food
              Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. FIFRA provides EPA with the
              authority to oversee, among other things, .the registration, distribution, sale and
              use of pesticides.  The Act applies to all types of pesticides, including
              insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides and antimicrobials. FIFRA
              covers both intrastate and interstate commerce.

              Establishment Registration
              Section 7 of FIFRA requires that establishments producing pesticides, or
              active ingredients used in producing a pesticide subject to FIFRA, register
              with EPA.  Registered establishments must report the types and amounts of
              pesticides and active ingredients they produce. The Act also provides EPA
              inspection authority and enforcement authority for facilities/persons that are
              not in compliance with FIFRA.

              Product Registration
              Under §3 of FIFRA, all pesticides (with few exceptions) sold or distributed in
              the United States must be registered by EPA. Pesticide registration is very
               specific and generally allows use of the product only as specified on the label.
               Each registration specifies the use site, i.e., where the product may be used,
               and the amount that may be applied.  The person who  seeks to register the
               pesticide must file an application for registration. The application process
 Sector Notebook Project
103
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                  Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 	        General Overview
               often requires either the citation or submission of extensive environmental,
               health and safety data.

               To register a pesticide, the EPA Administrator must make a number of
               findings, one of which is that the pesticide, when used in accordance with
               widespread and commonly recognized practice, will not generally cause
               unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

               FIFRA defines "unreasonable adverse effects on the environment" as "(1) any
               unreasonable risk to man or the environment, taking into account the
               economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the use of the
               pesticide, or (2) a human dietary risk from residues that result from a use of a
               pesticide in or on any food inconsistent with the standard under §408 of the
               Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 346a)."

               Under FIFRA § 6(a)(2), after a pesticide is registered, the registrant must also
               notify EPA of any additional facts and information concerning unreasonable
               adverse environmental effects  of the pesticide. Also, if EPA determines that
               additional data are needed to support a registered pesticide, registrants may be
               requested to provide additional data. If EPA determines that the registrant(s)
               did not comply with their request for more information, the registration can be
               suspended under FIFRA § 3(c)(2)(B) and § 4.

               Use Restrictions
               As a part of the pesticide registration, EPA must classify the product for
               general use, restricted use, or general for some uses and restricted for others
               (Miller, 1993). For pesticides that may cause unreasonable adverse effects on
               the environment, including injury to the applicator, EPA may require that the
               pesticide be applied either by or under the direct supervision of a certified
               applicator.

               Reregistration
              Due to concerns that much of the safety data underlying pesticide registrations
              becomes outdated and inadequate, in addition to providing that registrations
              be reviewed every 15 years, FIFRA requires EPA to reregister all pesticides
              that were registered prior to 1984 (§ 4). After reviewing existing data, EPA
              may approve the reregistration, request additional data to support the
              registration, cancel, or suspend the pesticide.

              Tolerances and Exemptions
              A tolerance is the maximum amount of pesticide residue that can be on a raw
              product and still be considered  safe.  Before EPA can register a pesticide that
              is used on raw agricultural products, it must grant a tolerance or exemption
              from a tolerance (40 CFR.163.10 through 163.12). Under the FederallFood,
Sector Notebook Project
104
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                           General Overview
             Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), a raw agricultural product is deemed
             unsafe if it contains a pesticide residue, unless the residue is within the limits
             of a tolerance established by EPA or is exempt from the requirement.

             Cancellation and Suspension
             EPA can cancel a registration if it is determined that the pesticide or its
             labeling does not comply with the requirements of FEFRA or causes
             unreasonable adverse effects on the environment (Haugrud, 1993).

             hi cases where EPA believes that an "imminent hazard" would exist if a
             pesticide were .to continue to be used through the cancellation proceedings,
             EPA may suspend the pesticide registration through an order and thereby halt
             the sale, distribution, and usage of the pesticide.  An "imminent hazard" is
             defined as an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment or an
             unreasonable hazard to the survival of a threatened or endangered species that
             would be the likely result of allowing continued use of a pesticide during a
             cancellation process.

             When EPA believes an emergency exists that does  not permit a hearing to be
             held prior to suspending, EPA can issue an emergency order that makes the
             suspension immediately effective.

             Imports and Exports
             Under FIFRA § 17(a), pesticides not registered in the United States and
             intended solely for export are not required to be registered provided that the
             exporter obtains and submits to EPA, prior to export, a statement from the
             foreign purchaser acknowledging that the purchaser is aware that the product
             is not registered in the United States and cannot be sold for use there.  EPA
             sends these statements to the government of the importing country.  FIFRA
             sets forth additional requirements that must be met by pesticides intended
             solely for export. The enforcement policy for exports is codified in 40 CFR §
              168.65, 168.75, and 168.85.

             Under FIFRA §17(c), imported pesticides and devices must comply with
             United States pesticide law. Except where exempted by regulation or statute,
             imported pesticides must be registered.  FIFRA § 17(c) requires that EPA be
             notified of the arrival of imported pesticides and devices.  This is
              accomplished through the Notice of Arrival (NO A) (EPA Form 3540-1),
             which is filled out by the importer prior to importation and submitted to the
              EPA regional office applicable to the intended port of entry. United States
              Customs regulations prohibit the importation of pesticides without a
              completed NO A. The EPA-reviewed and signed form is returned to the
              importer for presentation to United States Customs when the shipment arrives
 Sector Notebook Project
105
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                  Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                              General Overview
               in the United States.  NOA forms can be obtained from contacts in the EPA
               Regional Offices or www.epa.gov/oppfeadl/international/noalist.htm.

               Additional information on FIFRA and the regulation of pesticides can be
               obtained from a variety of sources, including EPA's Office of Pesticide
               Programs' homepage at www.epa.gov/pesticides, EPA's Office of
               Compliance, Agriculture Division at
               http://es.epa.gov/oeca/main/offices/division/ag.html, or The National
               Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center toll-free at (888) 663-2155 or
               http://www. epa.gov/agriculture.  Other sources include the National Pesticide
               Telecommunications Network toll-free at (800) 858-7378 and the National
               Antimicrobial Information Network toll-free at (800) 447-6349.

        Toxic Substances Control Act

               The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) granted EPA authority to create a
               regulatory framework to collect data on chemicals in order to evaluate, assess,
               mitigate, and control risks which may be posed by their manufacture,
               processing, and use.  TSCA provides a variety of control methods to prevent
               chemicals from posing unreasonable risk. It is important to note that
               pesticides as defined in FIFRA are not included in the definition of a
               "chemical substance" when manufactured, processed, or distributed in
               commerce for use as a pesticide.

               TSCA standards may apply at any point during a chemical's life cycle. Under
               TSCA §5, EPA has established an inventory of chemical substances.  If a
               chemical is not already on the inventory, and has not been excluded by TSCA,
               a premanufacture notice (PMN) must be submitted to EPA prior to
              manufacture or import. The PMN must identify the chemical and provide
              available information on health and environmental effects. If available data
              are not sufficient to evaluate the chemical's effects, EPA can impose
              restrictions pending the development of information on its health and
              environmental effects. EPA can also restrict significant new uses of chemicals
              based upon factors  such as the projected volume and use of the chemical.

              Under TSCA § 6, EPA can ban the manufacture or distribution in commerce,
              limit the use, require labeling, or place other restrictions on chemicals that
              pose unreasonable risks.  Among the chemicals EPA regulates under § 6
              authority are asbestos, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), lead, and polychlorinated
              biphenyls (PCBs).

              Under TSCA § 8(e), EPA requires the producers and importers (and others) of
              chemicals to report  information on a chemicals' production, use, exposure,
              and risks. Companies producing and importing chemicals can be required'to
Sector Notebook Project
106
                                                                      September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
             report unpublished health and safety studies on listed chemicals and to collect
             and record any allegations of adverse reactions or any information indicating
             that a substance may pose  a substantial risk to humans or the environment.

             EPA's TSCA Assistance Information Service, at (202) 554-1404, answers
             questions and distributes guidance pertaining to Toxic Substances Control Act
             standards. The Service operates from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., EST,
             excluding federal holidays.

IV.B.  Industry-Specific Requirements for Agricultural Production Industries: Crops,
       Greenhouses/Nurseries, and Forestry

             The agricultural production industries discussed in this notebook are regulated
             by several different federal, state, and local agencies. EPA has traditionally
             relied on delegation to states to meet environmental standards, in many cases
             without regard to the methods used to achieve certain performance standards.
             This has resulted in some states with more stringent air, water, and hazardous
             waste requirements than the federal minimum requirements.  This  document
             does not attempt to discuss state standards, but rather highlights relevant
             federal laws and proposals that affect the agricultural production industries of
             crops, greenhouses/nurseries, and forestry.

       Clean Water Act

             Under the CWA, there are five program areas that potentially affect
             agricultural establishments and businesses. These include: point source
             discharges, storm water discharges, nonpoint source pollution, wetland
             regulation, and sludge management. Key provisions addressing each of these
             areas are summarized below:

                    Point Source Discharges: The CWA establishes a permitting program
                    known as the NPDES program for "point sources" of pollution.  The
                    term "point source" includes facilities from which pollutants are or
                    may be discharged to waters of the United States and is further defined
                    at 40  CFR Part 122. If granted, the permit will place limits and
                    conditions on the proposed discharges based on the performance of
                    available control technologies and on any applicable (more stringent)
                    water quality considerations. Usually the permit also will require
                    specific compliance measures, establish schedules, arid specify
                    monitoring and reporting requirements.

                    —      Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs): The
                           CWA defines CAFOs as point sources. Therefore,  CAFOs are
                           subject to the NPDES permitting program. See 40 CFR Part
Sector Notebook Project
107
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                            122.23 and 40 CFR 122 Appendix B. A CAFO is prohibited
                            from discharging pollutants to waters of the U.S. unless it has
                            obtained an NPDES permit for the discharge.

                                  *•   Definition of an AFO - An AFO is defined in EPA
                                      regulations as a lot or facility where (1) animals
                                      have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and
                                      fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in
                                      any 12-month period, and (2) crops, vegetation,
                                      forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not
                                      sustained in the normal growing season over any
                                      portion of the lot or facility.
                                  >•   Definition of a CAFO — CAFOs are a subset of all
                                      AFOs.  Whether an AFO is a CAFO under the
                                      regulations depends on the number of animals
                                      confined at the facility. A CAFO is defined as
                                      follows:
                                  (1) More than 1,000 AUs are confined at the facility [40
                                  CFR 122, Appendix B (a)];  OR

                                  (2) From 301 to 1,000 AUs are confined at the facility
                                  and:

                                  *•      Pollutants are discharged into waters of the U.S.
                                         through a man-made ditch, flushing system, or
                                         other similar man-made device; or

                                  *•      Pollutants are discharged directly into waters of
                                         the U.S. that originate outside of and pass over,
                                         across, or through the facility or come into
                                         direct contact with the confined animals. [40
                                         CFR 122, Appendix B (b)]  OR

                                  (3) The  facility has been designated as a CAFO by the
                                  permitting authority on a case-by-case basis [40 CFR
                                  122.23(c)], based on the permitting authority's
                                  determination that the operation is a "significant
                                  contributor of pollution." In making this determination,
                                  the permitting authority considers the following factors:

                                         •      Size of the operation;
                                         •      Amount of waste reaching waters of the
                                                United States;
Sector Notebook Project
108
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                                          •      Location of the operation relative to
                                                waters of the U.S.;
                                          •      The means of conveyance of animal
                                                wastes and process wastewater into
                                                waters of the United States;
                                          •      The slope, vegetation, rainfall, and other
                                                factors affecting the likelihood or
                                                frequency of discharge of animal wastes
                                                and process wastewater into waters of
                                                the U.S.; and
                                          •      Other relevant factors (e.g.,waste
                                                handling and storage, land application
                                                timing, methods, rates and areas, etc.).

                                   A permit application shall not be required from a
                                   concentrated animal feeding designated under the case-
                                   by-case authority until after the Director has conducted
                                   an on-site inspection and determined that the operation
                                   should and could be regulated under the NPDES permit
                                   program.

                                   No animal feeding o'peration with less than the number
                                   of animals set forth in 40 CFR 122, Appendix B shall
                                   be designated as a concentrated animal feeding
                                   operation unless either (1) pollutants are discharged into
                                   waters of the U.S. through a manmade ditch,  flushing
                                   system, or other similar means, or (2) pollutants are
                                   discharged directly into waters of the U.S. which
                                   originate outside of the facility and pass over, across, or
                                   through the facility, or otherwise come into direct
                                   contact with the animals confined in the operation.
                                   The NPDES
                                   permit
                                   regulations
                                   [40 CFR 122,
                                   Appendix B]
                                   contain an
                                   exemption
                                   for any AFO
                                   from being
                                   defined as a
                                   C AFO if it
                                   discharges
         A 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event
         means the maximum precipitation
         event with a probable occurrence of
         once in 25 years, as defined by the
         National Weather Service in
         Technical Paper Number 40,
         "Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the
         United States," May 1961, and
         subsequent amendments, or
         equivalent regional or state rainfall
         probability information developed
         therefrom [40 CFR Part 412.1 l(e)]
Sector Notebook Project
109
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                                  only in the event of a 25 year, 24-hour, or larger, storm
                                  event. To be eligible for an exemption, the facility must
                                  demonstrate to the permitting authority that it has not
                                  had a discharge. It must also demonstrate that the entire
                                  facility is designed, constructed, and operated to contain
                                  a storm event of this magnitude in addition to process
                                  wastewater. An operation that qualifies for this
                                  exemption from being defined as a CAFO may still be
                                  designated as a CAFO by the permitting authority on a
                                  case-by-case basis.

                     Storm Water Discharges: Under 40 CFR §122.2, the definition of
                     "point source" excludes agricultural storm water runoff.  Thus, such
                     runoff is not subject to the storm water permit application regulations
                     at 40 CFR §122.26. Non-agricultural storm water discharges,
                     however, are regulated if the discharge results from construction over 5
                     acres or certain other types of industrial activity such as landfills,
                     automobile junk yards, vehicle maintenance facilities, etc.

                     -     Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Facilities: Under
                           40 CFR Part 122.24, a concentrated aquatic animal production
                           facility is defined and designated as a point source subject to
                           the NPDES permit program.

                                  >   Definition of concentrated aquatic animal
                                      production facility (40 CFR Part 122 Appendix C) -
                                      - A concentrated aquatic animal production facility
                                      is a hatchery, fish farm, or other facility that meets
                                      one of the following criteria:
                                  (1) A facility that contains, grows, or holds cold water
                                  fish species or other cold water aquatic animals in
                                  ponds, raceways, or similar structures which discharge
                                  at least 30 days per year. The term does not include (a)
                                  facilities which produce less than 9,090 harvest weight
                                  kilograms (approximately 20,000 pounds) of aquatic
                                  animals per year, and (b) facilities which feed less than
                                  2,272 kilograms (approximately 5,000 pounds) of food
                                  during the calendar month of maximum feeding. Cold
                                  water aquatic animals include, but are not limited to, the
                                  salmonidae family (e.g., trout and salmon).

                                  (2) A facility that contains, grows, or holds warm water
                                  fish species or other warm water aquatic animals in
Sector Notebook Project
110
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                                  ponds, raceways, or similar structures which discharge
                                  at least 30 days per year.  The term does not include (a)
                                  facilities which produce 45,454 harvest weight
                                  kilograms (approximately 100,000 pounds) of aquatic
                                  animals per year or (b) closed ponds which discharge
                                  only during periods of excess runoff. Warm water
                                  aquatic animals include, but are not limited to, the
                                  Ameiuridae, Centrarchidae, and Cyprinidae families of
                                  fish (e.g., respectively catfish, sunfish, and minnows).

                                  Designated facility — A facility that does not otherwise
                                  meet the criteria in 40 CFR Part 122 Appendix C
                                  (described above) may be designated as a concentrated
                                  aquatic animal production facility if EPA or an
                                  authorized state determines the production facility is a
                                  significant contributor of pollution to waters of the U.S.
                                  No permit is required for such a designated facility until
                                  the EPA or state officials have conducted an onsite
                                  inspection and determined that the facility should be
                                  regulated under the NPDES permit program.

                           Aquaculture Projects: Under 40 CFR Part 122.25(b),
                           aquaculture means a defined, managed water area that uses
                           discharges of pollutants to maintain or produce harvestable
                           freshwater, estuarine, or marine plants or animals. Discharges
                           into approved aquaculture projects are not required to meet
                           effluent limitations that might otherwise apply. The entire
                           aquaculture project (discharges into and out of the project) is
                           addressed in an NPDES permit.

                           Exemption for Irrigation Return Flows: Under 40 CFR Part
                           122.3(f), return flows from irrigated agriculture do not require
                           NPDES permits.

                           Wastewater Guidelines for Point Source Silviculture
                           Activities: Under 40 CFR §122.27, silvicultural point sources
                           are subject to the NPDES permit program. Such silviculture
                           point sources include discrete conveyances related to rock
                           crushing, gravel washing, log sorting or log storage facilities
                           operated in connection with silvicultural activities and from
                           which pollutants are discharged into waters of the U.S. The
                           term does not include nonpoint source silviculture activities
                           such as nursery operations, site preparation, reforestation,
                           thinning, prescribed burning, pest and fire control, harvesting
Sector Notebook Project
111
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                           operations, surface drainage, or road construction and
                           maintenance from which there is natural runoff.

                    Nonpoint Source Pollution: Under the CWA §319 Nonpoint Source
                    (NFS) Management Program and 40 CFR §130.6, states (tribes, and
                    territories) establish programs to manage NFS pollution, including
                    runoff and leaching of fertilizers and pesticides, and irrigation return
                    flows. These NFS management programs must identify: (a) best
                    management practices (BMPs) to be used in reducing NFS pollution
                    loadings; (b) programs to be used to assure implementation of BMPs;
                    (c) a schedule for program implementation with specific milestones;
                    and (d) sources of federal or other funding that will be used each year
                    for the support of the state's NFS pollution management program.
                    Congress provides grant funds to the states annually for the
                    administration of these management programs.

                    Discharges to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs): Under
                    40 CFR Part 403, facilities,  including agricultural establishments, may
                    discharge certain substances to a POTW if the facility has received
                    prior written permission from the POTW and has completed any
                    required pretreatment. Facilities must check with their POTWs for
                    information  about permitted discharges and for conditions and
                    limitations.

                    Discharges of Designated Hazardous Substances. Under 40 CFR
                    Parts  116-117, facilities, including agricultural establishments, must
                    immediately notify the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802)
                    and their state agency of any unauthorized discharge of a designated
                    hazardous substance into (1) navigable waters, (2) the shorelines of
                    navigable waters, or (3) contiguous  zones, IF the quantity discharged
                    in any 24-hour period equals or exceeds the reportable quantity. A
                    designated hazardous substance is any chemical listed in Section 311
                    of the Clean Water Act.  The reportable quantity is the amount of the
                    hazardous substance that EPA has determined might cause harm. The
                    list of hazardous substances along with each chemical's reportable
                    quantity is found in 40 CFR Parts 116 and 117. Ammonia and several
                    pesticides  are on the list.

                    Discharges of Oil. Under 40 CFR Part 110, facilities must
                    immediately notify EPA's National  Response Center (1-800-424-
                    8802) of any unauthorized discharge of a harmful quantity of oil
                    (including petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse, or oil mixed with
                    other wastes) into (1) navigable waters, (2) the shorelines of navigable
                    waters, or  (3) contiguous zones and  beyond.  A discharge of oil is
Sector Notebook Project
112
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                     considered harmful if it violates applicable water quality standards,
                     causes a sludge or emulsion to be deposited under the surface of the
                     water or on adjoining shorelines, or causes a film or sheen on, or
                     discoloration of, the water or adjoining shorelines. In practice, any
                     quantity of oil or a petroleum product is a harmful quantity, since even
                     small amounts will cause a film or sheen on surface water.

                     -     Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC)
                           Program:  Under 40 CFR Part 112, facilities, including
                           agricultural establishments, must comply with EPA's SPCC
                           program when they store oil at their facility. SPCC
                           requirements apply to non-transportation related onshore and
                           offshore facilities of specified size  engaged in storing,
                           processing, refining, transferring or consuming oil products,
                           which due  to their location, could potentially discharge oil into
                           waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines.

                           Facilities must comply with the SPCC program: (1) if they
                           have a single aboveground container with an oil storage
                           capacity of more than 660 gallons,  multiple aboveground
                           containers  with a combined oil storage capacity of more than
                           1,320 gallons, or a total underground oil storage capacity of
                           more than 42,000 gallons and (2) if there is a reasonable
                           expectation that a discharge (spill, leak, or overfill) from the
                           tank will release harmful quantities of oil into navigable waters
                           or adjoining shorelines. The requirements are triggered by tank
                           capacity, regardless of whether tanks  are completely filled.

                           Facilities subject to the SPCC requirements must prepare an
                           SPCC plan. This plan must include: (I) prevention measures
                           that keep oil releases from occurring, (2) control measures
                           installed to prevent oil releases from reaching navigable waters,
                           and (3)  countermeasures to contain, clean up, and mitigate the
                           effects of any oil release that reaches navigable waters. Each
                           plan must be unique to the facility and must be signed by a
                           registered professional engineer.

                     Wetlands on Agricultural Lands: Swamps, marshes, fens, bogs,
                     vernal pools, playas, and prairie potholes are common names for
                     wetlands. Wetlands provide a habitat for threatened and endangered
                     species as well as a diversity of other plant, wildlife, and fish species.
                     In addition to providing habitat, wetlands serve other functions,
                     including stabilizing shorelines; storing flood waters; filtering
                     sediments, nutrients, and toxic chemicals from water; and providing an
Sector Notebook Project
113
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                     area for the recharge and discharge of groundwater. It is important to
                     note that not all wetlands will be obvious to the untrained observer.
                     For example, an area can appear dry during much of the year and still
                     be classified as a wetland. Your local Natural Resources
                     Conservation Service (NRCS) office can help to identify and delineate
                     wetlands on your property.

                     NRCS, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, is the lead agency for
                     identifying wetlands on agricultural lands.  According to NRCS,
                     agricultural lands means those lands intensively used and managed for
                     the production of food or fiber to the extent that the natural vegetation
                     has been removed and therefore does not provide reliable indicators of
                     wetland vegetation.  Areas that meet this definition may include
                     intensively used and managed cropland,  hayland, pastureland,
                     orchards, vineyards, and areas that support wetland crops (e.g.,
                     cranberries, taro, watercress, rice). Lands not included in the
                     definition of agricultural lands include rangelands, forest lands,
                     woodlots, and tree farms.

                     —     Exemption to Section 404 Permit Requirements. The
                           placement of dredge and fill material into wetlands and other
                           water bodies (i.e., waters of the United States) is regulated by
                           the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) under 33 CFR Part
                           328.  The Corps regulates wetlands by administering the CWA
                           Section 404 permit program for activities that impact wetlands.
                           The 404 permit program requires a permit for point source
                           discharges of dredged and fill material into waters of the
                           United States. However, many normal established farming
                           activities (e.g.,"plowing, cultivating, minor drainage, and
                           harvesting), silviculture, and ranching activities that involve
                           discharges of dredged or fill materials into U.S. waters are
                           exempt from Section 404 permits and do NOT require a I
                           permit (33 CFR §323.4).  In order to be exempt, the activity
                           must be part of an ongoing operation and cannot be associated
                           with bringing a wetland into agricultural production or
                           converting an agricultural wetland to  a non-wetland area.

                           If not covered by the above exemption, a permit is required
                           before discharging dredged or fill material into U.S. waters,
                           including most wetlands (33 CFR Part 323). The Army Corps
                           of Engineers (Corps) reviews Section 404 permit applications
                           to determine if a project is the least environmentally damaging
                           and practicable alternative.
Sector Notebook Project
114
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    POTW Sludge Management - Land Application of Biosolids. Land
                    application is the application of biosolids to land to either condition
                    the soil or fertilize crops or other vegetation grown in the soil.
                    Biosolids are a primarily organic solid product produced by
                    wastewater treatment processes that can be beneficially recycled.

                    • EPA regulates the land application of biosolids under 40 CFR Part
                    503. As described in A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503
                    Biosolids Rule  (EPA/832/R-93-003, September 1994), the Part"503
                    rule includes general provisions, and requirements for land application,
                    surface disposal, pathogen and vector attraction reduction, and
                    incineration. For each regulated use or disposal practice, a Part 503
                    standard includes general requirements, pollutant limits, management
                    practices, operational standards, and requirements for the frequency of
                    monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting.  For the most part, the
                    requirements of the Part 503 rule are self-implementing and must be
                    followed even without the issuance of a permit covering biosolids use
                    or disposal requirements.

                    Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.  There are still
                    waters in the nation that do not meet the CWA national goal of
                    "fishable, swimmable" despite the fact that nationally required levels
                    of pollution control technology have been implemented by many
                    pollution sources. The TMDL program, established under  Section
                    303(d) of the Clean Water Act, focuses on identifying and allocating
                    pollutant loads to these waterbodies. The goal of a TMDL is the
                    attainment of water quality standards.

                    A TMDL identifies the amount a pollutant needs to be reduced to meet
                    water quality standards, allocates pollutant load reductions among
                    pollutant sources in a watershed, and provides the basis for taking
                    actions needed to restore a waterbody. It can identify the need for point
                    source and nonpoint source controls.

                    Under this provision, States are required to (1) identify and list
                    waterbodies where State water quality standards are not being met
                    following the application of technology-based point source pollution
                    controls; and (2) establish TMDLs for these waters. EPA must review
                    and approve (or disapprove) State lists and TMDLs. If state actions are
                    not adequate, EPA must prepare lists and TMDLs. TMDLs are to be
                    implemented using existing federal, state, and local authorities and
                    voluntary programs.
Sector Notebook Project
115
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
                      TMDLs should address all significant pollutants which cause or
                      threaten to cause waterbody use impairment, including:

                      -      Point sources (e.g., sewage treatment plant discharges)
                      -      Nonpoint sources (e.g., runoff from fields, streets, range, or
                             forest land)
                      -      Naturally occurring sources (e.g., runoff from undisturbed
                             lands)

                      A TMDL is the sum of the individual wasteload allocations for point
                      sources, load allocations for nonpoint sources and natural background
                      pollutants, and an appropriate margin of safety. TMDLs may address
                      individual pollutants or groups of pollutants,  as long as they clearly
                      identify.the links between: (1) the waterbody use impairment or threat
                      of concern, (2) the causes of the impairment or threat, and (3) the load
                      reductions or actions needed to remedy or prevent the impairment.

                      TMDLs may be based on readily available information and studies. In
                      some cases, complex studies or models are needed to understand how
                     pollutants are causing waterbody impairment. In many cases, simple
                      analytical efforts provide an adequate basis for pollutant assessment
                     and implementation planning.

                     Where inadequate information is available to  draw precise links
                     between these factors, TMDLs may be developed through a phased
                     approach. The phased approach enables states to use available
                     information to establish interim targets, begin to implement needed
                     controls and restoration actions, monitor waterbody response to these
                     actions, and plan for TMDL review and revision in the future. Phased
                     approach TMDLs are particularly appropriate  to address nonpoint
                     source issues.

                     Numerous TMDLs are under development in many states and TMDLs
                     are likely to impact agricultural activities by prompting states and
                     stakeholders to mitigate water pollution caused by agricultural sources
                     (assuming agriculture-related industries are identified as significant
                     contributors to water quality impairment).

       Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990

              The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, which is implemented
              under the authority of Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization
              Amendments (CZARA) of 1990, is administered at the federal level jointly by
              EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Sector Notebook Project
116
                                                                       September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
              The Section 6217 program requires the 29 states and territories with NOAA-
              approved coastal zone management programs to develop and implement
              coastal nonpoint pollution control programs. These programs are intended to
              serve as an update and expansion of existing state programs focused on
              nonpoint source pollution affecting coastal areas. These submitted programs
              must include: (1) management measures that are in conformity with applicable
              federal guidance and (2) state-developed management measures as necessary
              to achieve and maintain applicable water quality standards.

              On January 19, 1993, EPA issued its Guidance Specifying Management
              Measures For Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters. The federal
              guidance specifies management measures for the following agricultural
              sources: (1) erosion from cropland, (2) confined animal facilities, (3) the
              application of nutrients to croplands, (4) the application of pesticides to
              cropland, (5) grazing management, and (6) irrigation of cropland.

              Once approved, the programs are implemented through state nonpoint source
              programs (under CWA §319) and state coastal zone management programs
              (authorized under §306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act). Agricultural
              establishments located in coastal states should determine whether their land is
              included in the state's coastal management area. If so, they must comply with
              their state's applicable coastal nonpoint programs. Currently, all state coastal
              nonpoint management programs have been conditionally approved and have
              begun to be implemented.

       Coastal Zone Management Act

              The 1996 amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Act that may affect
              agriculture-related industries include those that relate to aquaculture in the
              coastal zone. Eligible states may now receive grants for developing a
              coordinated process among state agencies to regulate and issue permits for
              aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone. States may also receive grants for
              adopting procedures and policies to evaluate facilities in the coastal zone that
              will enable the states to formulate, administer, and implement strategic plans
              for marine aquaculture.  Each state that receives such grants will make its own
              determination as part of its coastal management plan on how to specifically
              use the funds. Therefore, persons engaged in aquaculture productivity in the
              coastal zone may be eligible for technical or financial assistance under their
              state's plan.

       Safe Drinking Water Act

              The SDWA, which has been amended twice since 1974, protects the water
              supply through water quality regulations and source protection, such as
Sector Notebook Project
117
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
              underground injection control (UIC) regulations. SDWA requirements apply
              to all public water systems (PWSs). Currently, 54 of 56 states and territories
              have been delegated primacy to run the drinking water program.

                     Public Water Systems.  Under 40 CFR Parts 141-143, facilities that
                     operate a PWS or receive water from a PWS and provide treatment to
                     it are subject to SDWA regulations. Prior to 1996, SDWA defined a
                     PWS as "a system for the provision to the public of piped water for
                     human consumption if such system has at least 15 service connections
                     or regularly serves at least 25 individuals." The 1996 Amendments
                     expanded the means of delivering water to include not only pipes, but
                     also other constructed conveyances such as ditches and waterways.

                     While there are three categories of PWSs, an agricultural establishment
                     will most likely operate a non-transient, non-community system. This
                     type of system serves at least 25 people for over 6 months of the year,
                     but the people generally do not live at the facility. All PWSs must .
                     comply with the national primary drinking water regulations (40 CFR
                     141). Under 40 CFR Part 141 Subpart G, EPA has established
                     drinking water standards for numerous pesticides.

                     Establishments that operate a non-transient, non-community system, in
                     general, will need to: (1)  monitor for the contaminants the state has
                     established for that type of system, (2) keep records of the monitoring
                     results, (3) report results  from all tests and analyses to the state/tribe on
                     a set schedule, (4) take immediate action to correct any violations in
                     the allowable contaminant levels, (5) make a public announcement of
                     any violations to warn people about potential adverse effects and to
                     describe the steps taken to remedy the problem, and (6) keep records of
                     actions taken to correct violations.

              •       Comprehensive State Ground Water Protection Program. Under
                     the SDWA §1429, states/tribes are allowed to establish a
                     Comprehensive State Ground Water Protection Program to  protect
                     underground sources of drinking water. Under this program, a state/
                     tribe can require facilities, including agricultural establishments,  to use
                     designated best management practices (BMPs) to help prevent
                     contamination of groundwater by nitrates, phosphates, pesticides,
                     microorganisms, or petroleum products.  These requirements generally
                     apply only to facilities that are subject to the public water system
                     supervision program. Persons applying pesticides or fertilizers must
                     know the location of all the public water supply source areas in the
                     vicinity that are protected by state/tribal (and sometimes local)
                     requirements.
Sector Notebook Project
118
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    Source Water Protection Program. Under the SDWA, states are
                    required to develop comprehensive Source Water Assessment
                    Programs (SWAP). The statutorily defined goals for SWAPs are to
                    provide for the protection and benefit of public water systems and for
                    the support of monitoring flexibility. These programs plan to identify
                    the areas that supply public tap water, inventory contaminants and
                    assess water system susceptibility to contamination, and inform the
                    public of the result.

                    Wellhead Protection Program. Under the SDWA §1428, if a
                    facility, has an onsite water source (e.g., well) that qualifies as a PWS,
                    it must take the steps required by the state/tribe to protect the wellhead
                    from contaminants. A wellhead protection area is the surface and
                    subsurface area surrounding a water well or wellfield supplying a PWS
                    through which contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and
                    reach such water well or wellfield.

                    Since drinking water standards (40 CFR Part 141 Subpart G) exist for
                    numerous pesticides, which may be used in various agriculture-related
                    activities, some state/tribe and local wellhead and source water
                    protection programs restrict the use of agricultural chemicals in
                    designated wellhead protection areas,  hi addition, persons applying
                    pesticides or fertilizers must know the location of all the public water
                    supply source areas in the vicinity that are protected by state/tribal (and
                    sometimes local) requirements,  and the requirements for mixing,
                    loading, and applying agricultural chemicals within any designated
                    wellhead or source water protection areas.

                    Sole Source Aquifer Protection Program.  Under the SDWA §1424
                    and 40 CFR Part 149 Subpart B, EPA can establish requirements for
                    protecting sole source aquifers.  EPA designates an aquifer as a sole
                    source aquifer if it supplies at least  50 percent of the drinking water
                    consumed in the area overlying the aquifer and no alternative drinking
                    water sources are feasible.  The Sole Source Aquifer program prohibits
                    federal  financial assistance (any grant, contract, loan guarantee, or
                    otherwise) for any project, including agricultural projects, that may
                    result in contamination to the aquifer and create a hazard to public
                    heath. Currently, only a few aquifers have been designated as
                    protected sole source aquifers.

                    Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program. The UIC program
                    (40 CFR Parts 144 and 146-148) is a permit program that protects
                    underground sources of drinking water by regulating five classes of
                    injection wells (I - V). Underground injection means depositing fluids
Sector Notebook Project
119
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
                      beneath the surface of the ground by injecting them into a hole (any
                      hole that is deeper than it is wide). Fluids means any material or
                      substance which flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge,
                      gas, or any other form or state.

                      If a facility disposes of (or formerly disposed of) waste fluids onsite in
                      an injection well, it triggers the UIC requirements. In general, a
                      facility may not inject contaminants into any well if the contaminant
                      could cause a violation of any primary drinking water regulation or
                      endanger an underground source of water if the activity would
                      adversely affect the public health. Most deep well underground
                      injections are prohibited without a UIC permit. No Class I, II, or in
                      injection well may be constructed or opened before a permit has been
                      issued. UIC permits include design, operating, inspection, and
                      monitoring requirements.  In many states/tribes, EPA has authorized
                      the state/tribal agency to administer the program.

                      Class V  Wells.  Owners/operators of Class V wells (shallow wells that
                      inject fluids above an underground source of water) must not
                      construct, operate, maintain, convert, plug, abandon,  or conduct any
                      other injection activity in a manner that allows the movement of fluid
                      containing any contaminant into underground sources of drinking
                      water, if the presence of that contaminant may cause  a violation of any
                      primary drinking water regulation (40 CFR Part 142) or may otherwise
                      adversely affect the health of persons.  Examples of Class V wells
                      potentially applicable to agricultural establishments include, but are
                     not limited to:

                            Drainage wells, such as agricultural drainage wells, primarily
                            used for storm runoff.

                     *      Cesspools with open bottoms (and sometimes perforated sides)
                            and septic system wells used to inject waste or effluent from
                            multiple dwellings or businesses (the UIC requirements do not
                            apply to single family residential septic system or cesspool
                            wells or to non-residential septic system or cesspool wells that
                            are used solely for the disposal of sanitary wastes and have the
                            capacity to serve fewer than 20 persons per day).

                     •     Dry wells used for waste injection.

                           Recharge wells used to replenish aquifers.
Sector Notebook Project
120
                               September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                            Injection wells associated with the recovery of geothermal
                            energy for heating, aquaculture, and production of electric
                            power.

                            Floor drains in maintenance shops/work areas.
                    Agricultural drainage wells typically drain water from low-lying farm
                    land, but some serve to recharge aquifers from which irrigation water is
                    withdrawn. These wells are usually constructed in areas with poor soil
                    drainage, but where underlying geologic formations allow rapid infiltration
                    of water. Sometimes abandoned water supply wells are adapted for use in
                    agricultural drainage. Agricultural drainage wells typically receive field
                    drainage from saturated topsoil and subsoil, and from precipitation,
                    snowmelt, floodwaters, irrigation return flow, and animal feedlots. The
                    types of pollutants injected into these wells include (1) pesticide runoff,
                    (2) nitrate, nitrite, and salts, such as those of calcium, magnesium, sodium,
                    potassium, chloride, sulfate, and carbonate from fertilizer runoff, (3) salts
                    and metals (i.e., iron, lead, cadmium, and mercury) from biosolid sludges
                    and compost, (4) microbes (i.e., bacteria and viruses) from animal waste
                    runoff, and (5) petroleum contaminants, such as fuel and oil, from runoff
                    from roads or equipment maintenance areas.
                     If a facility has a Class V well, it must furnish inventory information
                     about the well to the appropriate state/tribal agency. If at any time
                     EPA or the state/tribal agency learns that a Class V well may cause a
                     violation of primary drinking water regulations (40 CFR Part 142) or
                     may be otherwise adversely affecting the health of persons, it may
                     require the injector to obtain an individual UIC permit, or order the
                     injector to take such actions (including, where required, closure of the
                     injection well) as may be necessary to prevent the violation.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
               The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was enacted to
               address problems related to hazardous and solid waste management.  RCRA
               gives EPA the authority to establish a list of solid and hazardous wastes and to
               establish standards and regulations for the treatment, storage, and disposal of
               these wastes. Regulations in Subtitle C of RCRA address the identification,
               generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous
               wastes. These regulations are found in 40 CFR Part 124 and 40 CFR Parts
               260-279.- Under RCRA, persons who generate waste must determine whether
               the waste is defined as solid waste or hazardous waste. Solid wastes are
               considered hazardous wastes if they are listed by EPA as hazardous or if they
 Sector Notebook Project
121
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
               exhibit characteristics of a hazardous waste: toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity,
               or reactivity.

               Most agriculture-related activities do not generate significant amounts of
               hazardous waste. Generally, the activities potentially subject to RCRA
               involve the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the use and maintenance of
               different types of machinery.

               Hazardous Waste Generator Categories. Facilities that generate hazardous
               waste can be classified into one of three hazardous waste generator categories
               as defined in 40 CFR Part 262:

                     Conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG).  A facility
                     is classified as a CESQG if it generates no more than 220 Ibs (100 kg)
                     of hazardous waste in a calendar month. There is no time limit for
                     accumulating < 2,200 Ibs of hazardous waste onsite. However,
                     CESQGs cannot store more than 2,200 Ibs (1,000 kg) of hazardous
                     waste onsite at any time. In addition, CESQGs cannot accumulate
                     onsite more than 2.2 Ibs (1  kg) of acutely hazardous waste or more
                     than 220 Ibs spill residue from acutely hazardous waste for any period
                     of time.

                     Small quantity generator (SQG). A facility is classified as a SQG if it
                     generates >220 Ibs  (100 kg) and <2,200 Ibs (1,000 kg) of hazardous
                     waste in a calendar month.  SQGs can accumulate onsite no more than
                     13,200 Ibs (6,000 kg) of hazardous waste.  SQGs can store hazardous
                     waste onsite for up  to 180 days (or up to 270 days if the waste
                     treatment/disposal facility is more than 200 miles away).

                     Large quantity generator (LQG). A facility is classified as a LQG if it
                     generates > 2,200 Ibs (1,000 kg) of hazardous waste in a calendar
                     month. While there is no limit on the amount of hazardous waste that
                     LQGs can accumulate onsite, they can only store it onsite for up to 90
                     days.

              If a facility is a CESQG and generates <;2.2 Ibs (1 kg) of acutely hazardous
              waste; or ^220 Ibs (100 kg) of acutely hazardous waste spill residues in a
              calendar month, and never stores more than that amount for any period of
              time, it may manage the acutely hazardous waste according to CESQG
              requirements.  If it generates more than 2.2 Ibs (1 kg) of acutely hazardous
              waste or >220 Ibs (100 kg)  of acutely hazardous waste spill residues in a
              calendar month, the facility must manage it according to LQG requirements.
Sector Notebook Project
122
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
              The hazardous wastes that must be measured are those: (1) accumulated at the
              facility for any period of time before disposal or recycling, (2) packaged and
              transported away from the facility, (3) placed directly into a treatment or
              disposal unit at the facility, or (4) generated as still bottoms or sludges and
              removed from product storage tanks.

              Requirements for CESQGs. Based on the quantity of hazardous waste
              generated per month, most agricultural establishments will qualify as
              CESQGs.  As CESQGs, facilities must comply with three basic waste
              management requirements:

              (1)     Identify all hazardous waste generated.

              (2)     Do not generate per month more than 220 Ibs  (100 kg) of hazardous
                     waste; more than 2.2 Ibs (1 kg) of acutely hazardous waste; or more
                     than 220 Ibs (100 kg) of acutely hazardous waste spill residues; and
                     never store onsite more than 2,200 Ibs (1,000 kg) of hazardous waste;
                     2.2 Ibs of acutely hazardous waste; or 220 Ibs  of acutely hazardous
                     waste spill residues for any period of time.

              (3)     Ensure proper treatment and disposal of the waste. This means
                     ensuring that the disposal facility is one of the fqllowing:

                     - .     A state or federally regulated hazardous waste management
                           treatment, storage, or disposal facility.
                     -     A facility permitted, licensed, or registered by a state to manage
                           municipal or industrial solid waste.
                     -     A facility that uses, reuses, or legitimately recycles the waste
                           (or treats the waste before use, reuse, or recycling).
                     -     A universal waste handler or destination facility subject to the
                           requirements for universal wastes.

              CESQGs are allowed to transport their own wastes to the treatment or storage
              facility, unlike SQGs and LQGs who are required to use  a licensed, certified
              transporter.  While there are no specific RCRA requirements for CESQGs
              who transport their own wastes,  the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
              requires all transporters of hazardous waste to comply with all applicable DOT
              regulations.  Specifically, DOT regulations require all transporters, including
              CESQGs, transporting hazardous waste that qualifies as  a DOT hazardous
              material to comply with EPA hazardous waste transporter requirements found
              in 40 CFR Part 263. CESQGs are not required by federal hazardous waste
              laws to train their employees on waste handling or emergency preparedness.
 Sector Notebook Project
123
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
               Requirements for SQGs and LQGs. Facilities determined to be SQGs or
               LQGs must meet many requirements under the RCRA regulations. These
               requirements, found in 40 CFR 260-279, include identifying hazardous waste;
               obtaining an EPA identification numbers; meeting requirements for waste
               accumulation and storage limits; container management; conducting personnel
               training; preparing a manifest; ensuring proper hazardous waste packaging,
               labeling, and placarding; reporting and recordkeeping; and contingency
               planning, emergency procedures, and accident prevention.

               Notes: Facilities that fall into different generator categories during different
               months may choose to simplify compliance by satisfying the more stringent
               requirements all the time.

               Specific Provisions.  RCRA regulations include several specific provisions
               addressing agriculture-related materials and activities. Key provisions are
               briefly summarized below:

                     Exemption for Certain Solid Wastes Used as Fertilizers. Under 40
                     CFR §261.4(b), solid wastes generated by (1) growing and harvesting
                     of agricultural crops, or (2) raising animals (including animal manure),
                     and that are returned to the soils as fertilizers are excluded from
                     regulation as hazardous waste.

                     Exemption for Certain Hazardous Waste Pesticides. Under 40 CFR
                     §262.70, farmers who generate any amount of hazardous waste
                     pesticides from their own use are excluded from  the generator,
                     treatment/storage/disposal facility, land disposal, and permit
                     requirements under RCRA Subtitle C, provided that the farmer: (1)
                     disposes of the waste pesticide in a manner consistent with the label on
                     the pesticide container; (2) triple rinses each empty container in
                     accordance with requirements at 40 CFR §261.7(b)(3); and (3)
                     disposes of the rinsate on his own farm in accordance with the
                     instructions on the label. If the label does not include disposal
                     instruction, or no instructions are available from the pesticide
                     manufacturer, the waste pesticide and rinsate must be disposed of in
                     accordance with Subtitle C hazardous waste requirements. (Also see
                     40 CFR Part 165 - FIFRA).

                    Exemption for Commercial Fertilizers. Under 40 CFR §266.20,
                     commercial fertilizers produced for general public (including
                     agricultural) use that contain recyclable materials are not presently
                     subject to regulation provided they meet the applicable land disposal
                    restriction (LDR) standards for each recyclable material they contain.
                    For example, zinc-containing fertilizers containing K061 (emissipn
Sector Notebook Project
124
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    control dust from the primary production of steel in electric furnaces)
                    are not subject to regulation.

                    Fertilizers Made from Hazardous Wastes. Under 40 CFR Parts 266
                    and 268, EPA regulates fertilizers containing hazardous wastes as
                    ingredients. Hazardous wastes may be used as ingredients in fertilizers
                    under certain conditions, since such wastes can be a beneficial
                    component of legitimate fertilizers. EPA has established standards
                    that specify limits on the levels of heavy metals and other contents
                    used as fertilizer ingredients.  These standards are based on treatment,
                    by the best technology currently available, to reduce the toxicity and
                    mobility of all the contents of the hazardous waste components. These
                    standards are based on waste management considerations and do not
                    include consideration of the potential agronomic or dietary risk.

                    Food Chain Crops Grown on Hazardous Waste Land Treatment
                    Units. Under 40 CFR Part 264.276, food chain crops (including feed
                    for animals  consumed by humans) may be grown in or on hazardous
                    waste land treatment units under certain conditions and only with a
                    permit. The permit for a facility will  list the specific food-chain crops
                    that may be grown. To obtain a permit, the owner/operator of the
                    facility wishing to grow the food-chain crops must demonstrate — prior
                    to the planting of such crops — that there is no substantial risk to
                    human health caused by the growth of such crops in or on the
                    treatment zone.

                    Solid Waste Disposal Criteria.  Under RCRA Subtitle D, 40 CFR
                    257.3 establishes solid waste disposal criteria addressing fioodplains,
                    endangered species, groundwater protection, application to land used
                    for food chain crops, disease vectors,  air pollution, and safety. These
                    criteria are largely guidelines used by states in developing solid waste
                    regulations, which control the disposal of waste on a farmer's property.

                    Land Application of Fertilizers Derived from Drinking Water
                    Sludge.  Under 40  CFR Part 257, EPA regulates the land application
                    of solid wastes, including drinking water sludge applied as fertilizer.
                    These requirements include: (1) cadmium limits on land used for the
                    production of food-chain crops (tobacco, human food, and animal
                    feed) or alternative  less stringent cadmium limits on land used solely
                    for production of animal feed; (2) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
                    limits on land used  for producing animal feed, including pasture crops
                    for animals  raised for milk; and (3) minimization of disease vectors,
                    such as rodents, flies, and mosquitoes, at the site of application
Sector Notebook Project
125
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                     through incorporation of the fertilizer into soil so as to impede the
                     vectors' access to the sludge.

                     Pesticides That Are Universal Wastes. Under 40 CFR Part 273, EPA
                     has established a separate set of requirements for three types of wastes
                     called universal wastes. Universal wastes include certain batteries,
                     certain  pesticides, and mercury thermostats. Pesticides designated as
                     universal wastes include (1) recalled pesticides that are stocks of a
                     suspended or canceled pesticide and part of a voluntary or mandatory
                     recall under FIFRA §19(b); (2) recalled pesticides that are stocks of a
                     suspended or canceled pesticide, or a pesticide that is not in
                     compliance with FIFRA, that are part of a voluntary recall [see FIFRA
                     §19(b)(2)] by the registrant; and (3) stocks of other unused pesticide
                     products that are collected and managed as part of a waste pesticide
                     collection program.

                     The Universal Waste rule is optional for states/tribe to adopt.  In those
                     states/tribes that have not adopted the Universal Waste rule, these
                     wastes must be disposed of in accordance with the hazardous (or
                     acutely hazardous) waste requirements (see 40 CFR Part 262).

                     Exemption for Small Quantities of Used Oil.  Under 40 CFR §279.20,
                     agricultural establishments that generate an average of 25 gallons or
                     less of used oil per month over a calendar year from vehicles or
                     machinery used on the establishment are not subject to the
                     requirements of 40 CFR Part 279.

                     Exemption for "Farm Tanks" and Tanks of 110 Gallons or Less.
                     Under the underground storage tank (UST) regulations (RCRA
                     Subtitle I, 40 CFR §280.12), "farm tanks" of 1,100 gallons or less
                     capacity used for storing motor fuel for non-commercial purposes are
                     not regulated as underground storage tanks.  "Farm tanks " include
                     tank's located on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or
                     raising animals (including fish) and associated, residences and
                     improvements. Also under 40 CFR §280.10, the UST program does
                     not apply to UST systems of 110 gallons or less capacity, or that
                     contain a de minimis concentration of a regulated substance.

                     Even with the above exemptions, keep in mind that many agricultural
                     establishments may be subject to the UST program (40 CFR Part 280).
                     The UST regulations apply to facilities that store either petroleum
                     products or hazardous substances (except hazardous wastes) identified
                     under CERCLA.  UST regulations address design standards, leak
Sector Notebook Project
126
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    detection, operating practices, response to releases, financial
                    responsibility for releases, and closure standards.

       Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

             Under CERCLA, there are a limited number of statutory and regulatory
             requirements that potentially affect agricultural businesses. The key provisions
             are summarized below:

             •      Emergency Release Notification Requirements. Under CERCLA
                    §103 (a), facilities are required to notify the National Response Center
                    about any release of a CERCLA hazardous substance in quantities
                    equal to or greater than its reportable quantity (RQ). Releases include
                    discharges into the air, soil, surface water, or groundwater. Any
                    release at or above the RQ must be reported regardless of whether
                    there is a potential for offsite exposure.

                    -     Hazardous Substances. The term "hazardous substance" is
                           defined in CERCLA §101(14) and these substances (more than
                           700) are listed at 40 CFR Part 302, Table 302.4. Several
                           agricultural chemicals are on the CERCLA hazardous
                           substance list, including many pesticides, anhydrous ammonia,
                           and ethylene glycol.

                    —     Reportable Quantities. For each hazardous substance, EPA has
                           designated a RQ of 1, 10, 100,  1,000, or 5,000 pounds. RQs
                           are listed in 40 CFR Part 355, Appendices A and B and 40
                           CFR Part 302, Table 302.4.

                    -      When No Notification is Required.  There are several types of
                           releases that are excluded from the requirements of CERCLA
                           release notification. Two of these releases, excluded under
                           CERCLA §§101(22) and 103(e), include the normal
                           application of fertilizer and the application of pesticide
                           products registered under FIFRA. Keep in mind that spills,
                           leaks,  or other accidental or unintended releases of fertilizers
                           and pesticides are subject to the reporting requirements.

             •      Facility Notification and Recordkeeping Requirements -
                    Exemption for Agricultural Producers. Under CERCLA §§103(c)
                    and (d), certain facilities must notify EPA of their existence and the
                    owners/operators must keep records. However, CERCLA §103(e)
                    exempts agricultural producers who store and handle FIFRA-registered
                    pesticides from the facility notification and recordkeeping
Sector Notebook Project
127-
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                     requirements.  CERCLA does not define the term agricultural
                     producer.

                     Liability for Damages.  Under CERCLA § 107(a), an owner/operator
                     of a facility that has CERCLA hazardous substances onsite may be
                     liable for cleanup costs, response costs, and natural resource damages
                     associated with a release or threatened release of hazardous  substances.
                     Agricultural establishments are potentially liable under this  section,
                     and that liability extends to past practices.

        Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act

              A summary of the potential applicability of specific sections of EPCRA on the
              agricultural sector follows below.

                     Emergency Planning and Notification. Under EPCRA §302, owners
                     or operators of any facility, including agricultural establishments, that
                     have extremely hazardous substances (40 CFR Part 355 Appendices A
                     and B) present in excess of the threshold planning quantity must notify
                     in writing their state emergency response commission (SERC) and
                     their local emergency planning committee (LEPC) that they  are subject
                     to EPCRA planning requirements. Under EPCRA §303, they  must
                     also notify the LEPC of the name of a person at their facility whom the
                     LEPC may contact in regard to planning issues related to these
                     extremely hazardous substances.  They must also inform  the LEPC
                     promptly of any relevant changes, and when requested, must provide
                     information to the LEPC necessary for emergency planning.

                     Ammonia, several agricultural pesticides, and certain fuels are
                     included on the list of extremely hazardous substances found in 40
                     CFR Part 355 Appendices A and B. If a listed substance  is a solid, two
                     different planning quantities are listed (e.g., 500 lbs/10,000 Ibs). The
                     smaller amount (e.g., 500 Ibs.) applies if the substance is  in powder
                     form, such as a soluble or wettable powder, or if it is in solution or
                     molten form. The larger quantity (10,000 Ibs.) applies for most other
                     forms of the substance. If the extremely hazardous substance is part of
                     a mixture or solution, then the amount is calculated by multiplying its
                     percent by weight times the total weight of the mixture or solution. If
                     the percent by weight is less than one percent, the calculation is not
                     required (40 CFR Part 355.30).

                     S     Ammonia -- The quantity of anhydrous ammonia that triggers
                           the planning requirement is 500 pounds.
Sector Notebook Project
128
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    S     Pesticides — Examples of pesticides on the list with the
                           quantity in pounds that triggers the planning requirement
                           include: ethion (1,000), nicotine (100), dichlorvos (1,000),
                           parathion(lOO), chlordane (1,000), methyl bromide (1,000),
                           ethylene oxide (1,000), fenitrothion (500), phorate (10), zinc
                           phosphide (500), aluminum phosphide (500), terbufos (100),
                           phosphamidon (100), demeton (500), ethoprop (1,000), and
                           disulfoton (500).

                    S     Solid Pesticides — Examples of pesticides with dual quantities
                           that trigger the planning requirements include: coumaphos
                           (100/10,000), strychnine (100/10,000), dimethoate
                           (500/10,000), warfarin (500/10,000), azinphos-methyl
                           (10/10,000), methyl parathion (100/10,000), phosmet
                           (10/10,000), methidathion (500/10,000), carbofuran
                           (10/10,000), paraquat (10/10,000), methiocarb (500/10,000),
                           methamidophos (100/10,000), methomyl (500/10,000),
                           fenamiphos (10/10,000), and oxamyl (100/10,000).

                    §304 Emergency Release Notification. Under 40 CFR 355, facilities
                    must immediately notify the SERC and LEPC of releases of EPCRA
                    extremely hazardous substances and CERCLA hazardous substances
                    when the release equals or exceeds the reportable quantity within a 24-
                    hour period and has the potential for offsite exposure. There are two
                    notifications required: the initial notification and the written followup
                    notification.

                    Exemption for Substances Used in Agricultural Operations. Only
                    facilities that produce, use or store hazardous  chemicals are subject to
                    EPCRA release reporting.  EPCRA §31 l(e) excludes from the
                    definition of hazardous chemicals those substances used in routine
                    agricultural operations.  The exemption covers fertilizers and
                    pesticides used in routine agricultural operations and fuelk for
                    operating farm equipment (including to transport crops to market). If
                    all the hazardous chemicals present at the facility do not fall within this
                    exemption, the facility must report all releases of any EPCRA
                    extremely hazardous substance or CERCLA hazardous substance.
                    Additionally, spills, leaks, or other accidental or unintended releases of
                    fertilizers and pesticides are subject to the EPCRA release reporting
                    requirements.

                    §311 and §312 Hazardous Chemical Inventory and Reporting.
                    Under EPCRA §311 and §312, facilities must inventory the hazardous
Sector Notebook Project
129
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                  Industry-Specific Requirements
                     chemicals present onsite in amounts equal to or in excess of the
                     threshold planning quantities, and meet two reporting requirements:

                     -      A one-time notification of the presence of hazardous chemicals
                            onsite in excess of threshold levels (EPCRA §311) to the
                            SERC, LEPC, and the local fire department; and

                     -      An annual notification (Tier I or Tier II report) to the SERC,
                            LEPC, and the local fire department detailing the locations and
                            hazards associated with the hazardous chemicals found on
                            facility grounds (EPCRA §312).

                     Exemption for Substances Used in Agricultural Operations. As
                     mentioned above, the term "hazardous chemical," as defined in
                     EPCRA §31 l(e), excludes substances used in routine agricultural
                     operations.
       Clean Air Act
              Agriculture-related industries generally do not include those industry sectors
              considered to be major sources of air pollution. Nevertheless, some
              agriculture-related activities are potentially subject to regulation under the
              CAA. The provisions identified below summarize the CAA requirements
              applicable to certain .agriculture-related activities:

                    Risk Management Program. Under § 112(r) of the Clean Air Act,
                    EPA has promulgated the Risk Management Program Rule. The rule's
                    main goals are to prevent accidental releases of regulated substances
                    and to reduce the severity of those releases that do occur by requiring
                    facilities to develop risk management programs.  A facility's risk
                    management program must incorporate three elements: a hazard
                    assessment, a prevention program, and an emergency response
                    program. These programs are to be summarized in a risk management
                    plan (RMP) that will be made available to state and local government
                    agencies and the public.

                    Under 40 CFR Part 68, facilities that have more than the threshold
                    quantity of any of the listed regulated substances in a single process are
                    required to comply with the regulation. Process means any regulated
                    activity involving a regulated substance, including manufacturing,
                    storing, distributing, or handling a regulated substance or using it in
                    any other way.  Any group of interconnected vessels (including
                    piping), or separate vessels located close enough together to be
Sector Notebook Project
130
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
               Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
                    involved in a single accident, are considered a single process.
                    Transportation is not included.

                    Listed regulated substances are acutely toxic substances, flammable
                    gases, volatile liquids, and highly explosive substances listed by EPA
                    in the Risk Management Program rule. The threshold quantity is the
                    amount of a regulated substance that triggers the development of a
                    RMP. The list of regulated substances and their corresponding
                    threshold quantities are found at 40 CFR Part 68. Examples of
                    threshold quantities of listed regulated substances include:
                    formaldehyde » 15,000 pounds; ethylene oxide - 10,000 pounds;
                    methyl isocyanate — 10,000 pounds; anhydrous ammonia — 10,000
                    pounds; and mixtures containing ammonia in a concentration of 20
                    percent or greater ~ 20,000 pounds.

                    Exception: Ammonia that farmers are holding for use  as fertilizer is
                    not a regulated substance under the risk management program.
                    Farmers are not responsible for preparing a risk management plan if
                    ammonia held for use as a fertilizer is the only listed regulated
                    substance that they have in more than threshold quantities. However,
                    ammonia that is'on a farm for any other use, such as for distribution
                    or as a coolant/refrigerant, is not exempt.

                    Three program levels.  The risk management planning regulation (40
                    CFR Part 68) defines the activities facilities must undertake to address
                    the risks posed by regulated substances in covered processes.  To
                    ensure that individual processes are subject to appropriate
                    requirements that match their size and the risks they may pose, EPA
                    has classified them into 3 categories ("programs"):

                    -     Program 1 requirements apply to processes for which a worst-
                           case release, as evaluated in the hazard assessment, would not
                           affect the public. These are processes that have not had an
                           accidental release that caused serious offsite consequences.

                    -     Program 2 requirements apply to less complex operations that
                           do not involve chemical processing.

                    -     Program 3 requirements apply to higher risk, complex
                           chemical processing operations and to processes already
                           subject to the OSHA Process Safety Management Standard
                           (29 CFR 1910.119).
 Sector Notebook Project
131
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
                      Risk Management Planning. Facilities with more than a threshold
                      quantity of any of the 140 regulated substances in a single process are
                      required to develop a risk management program and to summarize
                      their program in a risk management plan (RMP). A facility subject to
                      the requirements were required to submit a registration and RMP by
                      June 21,1999, or whenever it first exceeds the threshold for a listed
                      regulated substance after that date. .

                      All facilities with processes in Program 1 must carry out the following
                      elements of risk management planning:

                      —     An offsite consequence analysis that evaluates specific
                            potential release scenarios, including worst-case and alternative
                            scenarios.
                      -     A five-year history of certain accidental releases of regulated
                            substances from covered processes.
                      -     A risk management plan, revised at least once every five years,
                            that describes and documents these activities for all covered
                            processes.

                      Facilities with processes in Programs 2 and 3 must also address each of
                      the following elements:

                            An integrated prevention program to manage risk. The
                            prevention program will include identification of hazards,
                            written operating procedures, training, maintenance, and
                            accident investigation.
                     -      An emergency response program.
                     -      An overall management system to put these program elements
                            into effect.

                     National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)/SIPS.  Under
                     the CAA § 10, each state must develop  a State Implementation Plan
                     (SIP) to identify sources of air pollution and to determine what
                     reductions are required to meet federal  air quality standards. If the
                     applicable SIP imposes requirements on an agricultural establishment,
                     that facility must comply with the SIP.  The most likely pollutant of
                     concern with respect to agriculture-related businesses is particulate
                     matter.

       Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

              For agricultural producers, FIFRA is the environmental statute that most
              significantly impacts day-to-day operations of pesticide use. It also imposes
Sector Notebook Project
132
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Industry-Specific Requirements
              administrative requirements on pesticide users, including agricultural
              producers. A summary of major provisions applicable to agricultural
              producers is provided below.

              •       Use restrictions: The pesticide product label is information printed on
                     or attached to the pesticide container.  Users are legally required to
                     follow the label.  Labeling is the pesticide product label and other
                     accompanying materials which contain directions that pesticide users
                     are legally required to follow.  Under FIFRA §12, each pesticide must
                     be used only in a way that is consistent with its labeling.

                     —     As a part of the pesticide registration, EPA must classify the
                           product for general use, restricted use, or general for some uses
                           and restricted for others (Miller, 1993). For pesticides that may
                           cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment,
                           including injury to the applicator, EPA may require that the
                           pesticide be applied either by or under the direct supervision of
                           a certified applicator.

                     —     It is against the law (Endangered Species Act) to harm an
                           endangered species. Harm includes not only acts that directly
                           injure or kill the protected species, but also  significant habitat
                           modification or degradation that disrupts breeding, feeding, or
                           sheltering. Pesticide users must comply with any pesticide
                           labeling restrictions or requirements that concern the protection
                           of endangered species or their habitats.

              •       Tolerances and Exemptions A tolerance is the maximum amount of
                     pesticide residue that can be on a raw product and still be considered
                     safe. Before EPA can register a pesticide that is used on raw
                     agricultural products, it must grant a tolerance or exemption from a
                     tolerance (40 CFR.163.10 through 163.12). Under the Federal Food,
                     Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), a raw agricultural product is
                     deemed unsafe if it contains a pesticide residue, unless the residue is
                     within the limits of a tolerance established by EPA or is exempt from
                     the requirement.

                     To avoid being responsible for products being over tolerance, users
                     must be particularly careful to comply with the label instructions
                     concerning application rate and minimum days between pesticide
                     application and harvest (i.e., preharvest interval), slaughter, freshening,
                     or grazing.
Sector Notebook Project
133
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                   Industry-Specific Requirements
                      Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Requirements for Users. The
                      WPS for Agricultural Pesticides (40 CFR Parts 156 and 170) covers
                      pesticides that are used in the commercial production of agricultural
                      plants on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses.  The WPS
                      requires pesticide users to take steps to reduce the risk of pesticide-
                      related illness and injury if they or their employees may be exposed to
                      pesticides used in the  commercial production of agricultural plants.

                      Cancellation and Suspension EPA can cancel a registration if it is
                      determined that the pesticide or its labeling does not comply with the
                      requirements of FIFRA or causes unreasonable adverse effects on the
                      environment (Haugrud, 1993).

                      In cases where EPA believes that an "imminent hazard" would exist if
                      a pesticide were to continue to be used through the cancellation
                      proceedings, EPA may suspend the pesticide registration through an
                      order and thereby halt the sale, distribution, and usage of the pesticide.
                      An "imminent hazard" is defined as an unreasonable adverse effect on
                      the environment or an unreasonable hazard to the survival of a
                      threatened or endangered species that would be the likely result of
                      allowing continued use of a pesticide during a cancellation process.

                     When EPA believes and emergency exists that does not permit a
                     hearing to be held prior to suspending, EPA can issue an emergency
                     order that makes the suspension immediately effective.

       Toxic Substances Control Act

              TSCA has a limited impact on the agricultural sector.  TSCA §3, Definitions,
              specifies that the term chemical substance means any organic or inorganic
              substance of a particular molecular identity. The definition also states, as
              declared at subsection (2)(B)(ii), that such term does not include any pesticide
              (as defined in FIFRA) when manufactured,  processed, or distributed in
              commerce for use as a pesticide. Since the  majority of potentially hazardous
              substances used by agricultural producers are pesticides, they are regulated
              under FIFRA. Regulation of hazardous substances under other authorities is
              part of TSCA's overall scheme which allows EPA to decline to regulate a
              chemical under TSCA if other federal regulatory authorities (e.g., FIFRA) are
              sufficiently addressing the risks posed from those substances.

                    Asbestos and Asbestos-Containing Material.  Under TSCA §6 and
                    40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M, EPA regulates the renovation/demolition
                    activities, notification,  work practices and removal, and disposal of
                    asbestos-containing material (ACM). ACM should be carefully
Sector Notebook Project
134
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Federal Statutes and Regulations:
  Industry-Specific Requirements
                    monitored; however, the mere presence of asbestos in a building is not
                    considered hazardous. ACM that becomes damaged, however, may
                    pose a health risk since it may release asbestos fibers over time.  If a
                    material is suspected of containing asbestos and it is more than slightly
                    damaged, or if changes need to be made to a building that might
                    disturb it, repair or removal of the ACM by a professional is needed.

                    Asbestos Brake Pads. Facilities that repair their own brakes should
                    be aware of asbestos requirements. Asbestos brake pads must be
                    removed .using appropriate control measures so that no visible
                    emissions of asbestos will be discharged to the outside air. These
                    measures can include one of the following: (1) wetting that is generally
                    done through the use of a brake washing solvent bath, such as those
                    provided by a service; (2) vacuuming that is usually performed with a
                    commercial brake vacuum specifically designed for use during brake
                    pad changing or pad re-lining operations; or (3) combination of
                    wetting and vacuuming.

                    Asbestos brake pads and wastes must be managed by: (1) labeling
                    equipment, (2) properly disposing of spent solvent, (3) properly
                    disposing of used vacuum filters, and (4) sealing used brake pads. The
                    containers or wrapped packages must be labeled using warning labels
                    as specified by OSHA [29 CFR 1910.001 (j) (2) or 1926.58 (k)(2)(iii)].

                     Asbestos waste must be disposed of as soon as practical at an EPA-
                     approved disposal site.  The asbestos containers must be labeled with
                     the name and location of the waste generator.  Vehicles used to
                     transport the asbestos must be clearly labeled during loading and
                     unloading. The waste shipment records must be maintained (40 CFR
                     61.150) so that the asbestos shipment can be tracked and substantiated.

                     Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).  PCBs were widely used in
                     electrical equipment manufactured from 1932 to 1978. Types of
                     equipment potentially containing PCBs include transformers and their
                     bushings, capacitors, reclosers, regulators, electric light ballasts, and
                     oil switches. Any equipment containing PCBs in their dielectric fluid
                     at concentrations of greater than 50 ppm are subject to the PCB
                     requirements.

                     Under TSCA §6 and 40 CFR Part 761, facilities must ensure through
                     activities related to the management of PCBs  (e.g., inspections for
                     leaks, proper storage) that human food or animal feed are not exposed
                     to PCBs. While the regulations do not establish a specific distance
                     limit, any item containing PCBs is considered to pose an unacceptable
 Sector Notebook Project
                                          135
                September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                Proposed and Pending Regulations
                     exposure risk to food or feed if PCBs released in any form have the
                     potential to reach/contaminate food or feed.

                     Lead.  Approximately 1.7 million children have blood-lead levels high
                     enough to raise health concerns. Studies suggest that lead exposure
                     from deteriorated residential lead-based paint, contaminated soil, and
                     lead in dust are among the major existing sources of lead exposure
                     among children in the U.S.

                     Section 1018 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction
                     Act of 1992 directs EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban
                     Development (HUD) to jointly issue regulations requiring disclosure
                     of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards by persons
                     selling or leasing housing constructed before the phaseout of
                     residential lead-based paint use in 1978. Under that  authority, EPA
                     and HUD jointly issued on March 6, 1996, regulations titled Lead;
                     Requirements for Disclosure of Known Lead-Based Paint and/or
                     Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (40 CFR Part 35 and 40 CFR
                     Part 745). In these regulations, EPA and HUD established
                     requirements for sellers/lessors of residential housing built before
                     1978.

                     Pre-Renovation Lead Information Rule. If conducted improperly,
                     renovations in housing with lead-based paint can create serious health
                     hazards to workers and occupants by releasing large amounts of lead
                     dust and debris. Under TSCA §406 and through a rule published on
                     June 1,  1998 entitled Lead; Requirements for Hazard Education
                     Before Renovation of Target Housing (40 CFR Part 745), EPA
                     required the distribution of lead hazard information (i.e., EPA-
                     developed pamphlet) prior to professional renovations on residential
                     housing built before 1978.

IV.C.  Proposed and Pending Regulations

       Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990

              Implementation of Management Measures. Under Section 6217,
              states/tribes must fully implement the management measures in their Coastal
              Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs by January 2004. States/tribes are
              required to perform effectiveness monitoring between 2004 and 2006 and
              implement other measures between 2006 and 2009,
Sector Notebook Project
136
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
 Federal Statutes and Regulations:
Proposed and Pending Regulations
       Safe Drinking Water Act

              Management of Class V Wells. EPA plans to propose additional
              requirements addressing the environmental risks posed by the highest risk
              Class V wells. This rulemaking potentially affects agricultural operations that
              use industrial and commercial disposal wells and large capacity cesspools.

       Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

              Pesticide Management and Disposal: Proposed Rule - issued on May 5,
              1993 (FR26857). The regulations for this rule will be found in the Code of
              Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR Part 165 - Regulations for the
              Acceptance of Certain Pesticides and Recommended Procedures for the
              Disposal and Storage of Pesticides and Pesticides Containers. This final rule
              will:

              •  Describe procedures for voluntary and mandatory recall actions.
              •  Establish criteria For acceptable storage and disposal plans which
                 registrants may submit to EPA to become eligible for reimbursement of
                 storage costs.
              •  Establish procedures for the indemnification of owners of suspended and
                 canceled pesticides.
              •  Amend the Agency's responsibility for accepting for disposal suspended
                 and canceled pesticides.
  Sector Notebook Project
                                          137
                 September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                  Federal Statutes and Regulations:
                 Proposed and Pending Regulations
                    THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
Sector Notebook Project
138
                                                                       September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
            Compliance and Enforcement History
V.  COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HISTORY
V.A. Background

              Until recently, EPA has focused much of its attention on measuring
              compliance with specific environmental statutes. This approach allows the
              Agency to track compliance with the Clean Air Act, the Resource
              Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, and other
              environmental statutes. Within the last several years, the Agency has begun to
              supplement single-media compliance indicators with facility-specific,
              multimedia indicators of compliance. In doing so, EPA is in a better position
              to track compliance with all statutes at the facility level and within specific
              industrial sectors.

              A major step in building the capacity to compile multimedia data for industrial
              sectors was the creation of EPA's Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis
              (IDEA) system. IDEA has the capacity to "read into" the Agency's single-
              media databases, extract compliance records, and match  the records to
              individual facilities.  The IDEA system can match air, water, waste,
              toxics/pesticides, EPCRA, Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), and enforcement
              docket records for a given facility and generate a list of historical permit,
              inspection, and enforcement activity.  IDEA also has the capability to  analyze
              data by geographic area and corporate holder. As the capacity to generate
              multimedia compliance data improves, EPA will make available more in-
              depth compliance and enforcement information. Additionally,  EPA is
              developing sector-specific measures of success for compliance assistance
              efforts.

V.B.  Compliance and Enforcement Profile Description
              This section uses inspection, violation,
              and enforcement data from the IDEA
              system to provide information about the
              historical compliance and enforcement
              activity of this sector. While other
              sector notebooks have used Standard
              Industrial Classification (SIC) data from
              the Toxics Release Inventory System
              (TRIS) to define their data  sampling
              universes, none of the SIC  codes
              associated with the crop production
              sectors identifies facilities that report to
              the TRI program. As such, sector-
              defining data have been provided from
              EPA data systems linked to EPA's Facility Indexing System (FINDS), which
             Note: Many of the previously
             published sector notebooks
             contained a chapter titled
             "Chemical Release and Transfer
             Profile. " The information and
             data for that chapter were taken
             primarily from EPA's Toxic
             Release Inventory (TRI). Because
             the industries discussed in this
             notebook do not, in general,
             directly report to TRI, that chapter
             has not been included in this
             sector notebook.
 Sector Notebook Project
139
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History
              tracks facilities in all media databases.  This section does not attempt to define
              the actual number of facilities that fall within each sector. Instead, the section
              portrays the records of a subset of facilities within the sector that are well
              defined within EPA databases.

              As a check on the relative size of the full sector universe, most notebooks
              contain an estimated number of facilities within the sector according to the
              Bureau of Census. With sectors dominated by small businesses, such as metal
              finishers and printers, the reporting universe within the EPA databases may be
              small in comparison to Census data. However, the group selected for
              inclusion in this data analysis section should be consistent with this sector's
              general make-up.

              Before presenting the data, the next section defines general terms and the
              column heads used in the data tables. The data represent a retrospective
              summary of inspections and enforcement actions and solely reflect EPA, state,
              and local compliance assurance activities that have been entered into EPA
              databases. To identify trends, EPA ran two data queries, one for five calendar
              years (March 7, 1992 to March 6, 1997) and the other for a twelve-month
              period (March 7,1996 to March 6, 1997). The five-year analysis gives an
              average level of activity for that period for comparison to the more recent
              activity.

              Because most inspections focus on single-media requirements, the data
              queries presented in this section are taken from single media databases. These
              databases do not provide data on whether inspections are state/local or EPA-
              led.  However, the table breaking down the universe of violations does give
              the reader a crude measurement of the EPA's and state's efforts within each
              media program.  The presented data illustrate the variations across EPA
              regions for certain sectors.1 This variation may be attributable to state/local
              data entry variation, specific geographic concentrations, proximity to
              population centers, sensitive ecosystems, highly toxic chemicals used in
              production, or historical noncompliance. Hence, the exhibited data do not
              rank regional performance or necessarily reflect which regions may have the
              most compliance problems.
1       EPA Regions are as follows: I (CT, MA, ME, RI, NH, VT); II (NJ, NY, PR, VI); m (DC,
DE, MD, PA, VA, WV); IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN); V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI); VI
(AR, LA, NM, OK, TX); VH (IA, KS, MO, NE); Vm (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY); IX (AZ, CA, HI,
NV, Pacific Trust Territories); X (AK, ID, OR, WA).
Sector Notebook Project
140
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
            Compliance and Enforcement History
Compliance and Enforcement Data Definitions

       General Definitions

             Facility Indexing System (FINDS) - assigns a common facility number to
             EPA single-media permit records, establishing a linkage capability to the
             permit data. The FINDS identification number allows EPA to compile and
             review all permit, compliance, enforcement, and pollutant release data for any
             given regulated facility.

             Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis (IDEA) - is a data integration
             system that can retrieve information from the major EPA program office
             databases. IDEA uses the FINDS identification number to link separate data
             records from EPA's databases.  This allows retrieval of records from across
             media or statutes for any given facility, this creating a "master list" of records
             for that facility. Some of the data systems accessible through IDEA are AFS
             (Air Facility Indexing and Retrieval System, Office of Air and Radiation),
             PCS (Permit Compliance System, Office of Water), RCRIS (Resource
             Conservation and Recovery Information System, Office of Solid Waste),
             NCDB (National Compliance Data Base, Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and
             Toxic Substances), CERCLIS (Comprehensive Environmental and Liability
             Information System, Superfund), and TRIS. IDEA also contains information
             from outside sources, such as Dun and Bradstreet (DUN) and the
             Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Most data queries
             displayed in this section were conducted using IDEA.

       Data Table Column Heading Definitions

             Facilities in Search - based on the universe of TRI reporters within the listed
             SIC code range. For industries not covered under TRI reporting requirements,
             or industries in which only a very small fraction of facilities report to TRI, the
             notebook uses the FINDS universe for executing data queries. The SIC code
             range selected for each search is defined by each notebook's selected SIC code
             coverage described in Section II.

             Facilities Inspected - indicates the level of EPA and state agency inspections
             for the facilities in this data search. These values show what percentage of the
             facility universe is inspected in a one-year or five-year period.

             Number of Inspections - measures the total number of inspections conducted
             in this sector. An inspection event is counted each time it is entered into a
             single media database.
Sector Notebook Project
141
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
            Compliance and Enforcement History
             Average Time Between Inspections - provides an average length of time,
             expressed in months, between compliance inspections at a facility within the
             defined universe.

             Facilities With One or More Enforcement Actions - expresses the number of
             facilities that were the subject of at least one enforcement action within the
             defined time period. This category is broken down further into federal and
             state actions.  Data are obtained for administrative, civil/judicial, and criminal
             state actions.  A facility with multiple enforcement actions is only counted
             once in this column, e.g., a facility with 3  enforcement actions counts as 1
             facility.

             Total Enforcement Actions - describes the total number of enforcement
             actions identified for an industrial sector across all environmental statutes.  A
             facility with multiple enforcement actions is counted multiple times (i.e., a
             facility with 3 enforcement actions counts as 3).

             State Lead Actions - shows what percentage of the total enforcement actions
             are taken by state and local environmental agencies. Varying levels of use by
             states of EPA data systems may limit the volume of actions accorded state
             enforcement activity.  Some states extensively report enforcement activities
             into EPA data systems, while other states may use their own data systems.

             Federal Lead Actions - shows what percentage of the total enforcement
             actions are taken by the U.S. EPA.  This value includes referrals from state
             agencies. Many of these actions result from coordinated or joint federal/state
             efforts.

             Enforcement to Inspection Rate - is a ratio of enforcement actions to
             inspections, and is presented for comparative purposes only.  The ratio is a
             rough indicator of the relationship between inspections and enforcement. It
             relates the number of enforcement actions and the number of inspections that
             occurred within the one-year or five-year period. This ratio includes
             inspections and enforcement actions reported under the Clean Water Act
             (CWA), the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and
             Recovery Act (RCRA). Inspections and actions from the
             TSCA/FIFRA/EPCRA database are not factored into this ratio because most
             of the actions  taken under these programs are not the result of facility
             inspections. Also, this ratio does not account for enforcement actions arising
             from non-inspection compliance monitoring activities (e.g., self-reported
             water discharges) that can result in enforcement action within the CAA, CWA
             and RCRA.

             Facilities with One or More Violations Identified - expresses the percentage
             of inspected facilities having a violation identified in one of the following data
Sector Notebook Project
142
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
           Compliance and Enforcement History
             categories: In Violation or Significant Violation Status (CAA); Reportable
             Noncompliance, Current Year Noncompliance, Significant Noncompliance
             (CWA); Noncompliance and Significant Noncompliance (FIFRA, TSCA, and
             EPCRA); Unresolved Violation and Unresolved High Priority Violation
             (RCRA).  The values presented for this column reflect the extent of
             noncompliance within the measured time frame, but do not distinguish
             between the severity of the noncompliance. Violation status may be a
             precursor to an enforcement action, but does not necessarily indicate that an
             enforcement action will occur.

             Media Breakdown of Enforcement Actions and Inspections - four columns
             identify the proportion of total  inspections and enforcement actions within
             EPA Air, Water, Waste, and TSCA/FIFRA/EPCRA databases. Each column
             is a percentage of either the "Total Inspections," or the "Total Actions"
             column.

V.C. Compliance History for the Agricultural Production Industries: Crops,
      Greenhouses/Nurseries, and  Forestry
              Exhibit 23 provides an overview of the
              reported compliance and enforcement
              data for the agricultural production
              industries over the past 5 years (March
              1992 to March 1997).  These data are
              also broken out by EPA regions thereby
              permitting geographical comparisons.
            Note: It should be noted that the
            data presented in this section
            represent federal enforcement
            activity only. Enforcement activity
            conducted at the state level is not
            included in this analysis.
              A few points evident from the data are listed below. It should also be noted
              that agriculture crop production (SIC code 01) and forestry (SIC code 08) are
              presented separately in the exhibits.

              •      As shown, of the 6,688 facilities identified through IDEA with crop
                     •production NAICS codes, nearly half (3,046) were inspected over the
                     5-year period. The total number of inspections over the same 5 years
                     was 10,453, which means that, on average, each facility was subjected
                     to nearly 3.5 inspections over the 5 years.

              •      Region 7 has the most crop production facilities with 2,391  and has
                     conducted the most inspections (3,180).  Similarly, Region 5 has the
                     second most facilities and has conducted the second most inspections.
                     Inspections in these regions comprise more than half (57%) of all
                     inspections conducted.

              •      The 10,453 inspections conducted* nationwide have resulted in 262
                     enforcement actions, which results in an enforcement-to-inspection
 Sector Notebook Project
143
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History
                     rate of 0.03.  This means that for every 100 inspections conducted,
                     there are approximately 3 resulting enforcement actions.

               •      The average enforcement-to-inspection rate across the regions ranged
                     from 0.01 in Region 5 to 0.08 in Regions 1 and 2.

               Exhibit 24 provides an overview of the reported compliance and enforcement
               data for forestry SIC codes over the 5-year period by EPA region.

               •      Of the 97 facilities identified, approximately 25 percent (24 facilities)
                     were inspected in the 5-year period.
               •      The 68 inspections conducted nationwide have resulted in 10
                     enforcement actions, which results in an enforcement-to-inspection
                     rate of 0.15.
Sector Notebook Project
144
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History



1
•o
c
u
1
P*
O.
£
"es
I.
3
^
u
'£,
^J
1
X.
o
^
k.
CS
1
ao
S
q

1
0
U
•o
a
a
•*-»
o
O)
0)
V
B
re

i
fa
,
CO
s
s
r T






1-5
1— 1


a






o







fa




w






p



u




M

«

11
S*rf
U O)
U QH "S
HI!
££ J-<


ll"S I
j£ .£3 0> tS
 a
SL S
"-1 ^^ ai §
;| * g S
^ ^ "1 ^
fa W

«J
a> «i c S
Bin ^^ aj w
cs S « W
L. a > u
0) o -£ !>
-5 s f3^ ^
^^ ^^ ^"^ Ci
M
«*M CA
0 =

o» ^3
1 1
K ^

C* 4*
TS "*^
.tJ w
K «
CJ &(
c« 22
fa «
s €
'-C "
*3 c»
fa .S
s
«
00
0
o

so
co

^P
0^



CS







OO







CO
VO



oo
' — 1



r— I
"*



vo
T— 1


1-,

oo
0
o

g

0s*
T— 1
ON


O
00






ON







^




00
ON



^
"*



ON
i — i


a

S
o

£

2?
5i
ON


O
CS






o







in
ts



CS
00



^
^2



CO
CO


a

S
O

r-H

^
VO
00


00
CS






00







o




2
ts
j— T


CO
00
CS



ON
O
oo


6

o
o

CO
CO

s?
r-
vo


00







•vf







ts




VO
oo
ts^


0
CO



ON
^J~
•-1"

>

g
O

CO

x=
vo


o







00







00




in
o
.•"vj*



oo
CS



CS
m


P

S
O

ON
in

VO
5


^
l/~)






r-
CO






in




O
oo
f-H
co"


CO
r-H
i-H
! 	 1


ON

CN"

H

ts
o
0

o
0

s?
o


CO







CO







vo
vo



ON
ts
r—t



CO
in



ts
i— <


a

ts
o
0

oo

x=
CS
00


{
v-H






00







o
CO



I—
oo
in



^.
VO



oo
ON
CS


B

co
o
0

S?
CO
CO

S?
VO


vo







VO







t
CS
t— I



VO
0
CS



o
CS



2
^*


X

CO
o
o

CS

s?
CO


ts
VO
ts





^
1— I






oo
CO



CO
in
•xt"
0
1 — 1

vo
s
CO


oo
oo
vo
VO*

1
H
Sector Notebook Project
145
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History


•«•*
C0
•a
s
i— i
g
o
••a
u
T3
O
£


S
b
O
fa
 *-*3
53 53 .j cj
p« fa •<



llll
« 33 hJ y


_4_)
B
e w

^ 0} O
"o ** '-B
H .2 -<
W
^
S *• S M
'-C 2
=3 js S S '*
fa 1 | ^
w
CA
So w fi o
2 "S 1 "S
> 5 
0
0

0
o




3?
o



CO







1— I





oo
"*







0






CO




00


*
1
1

1




1
1



0







o





0
CN







CO






,_,




T-H


B
1
1

1




1



0







o





,








o






o




CN


B
:

i




1



0







o





0
oo







cs






,_,




vo


"
IT)
o

o




0
o



CN







rt





oo
CN







CO






OS




in


X
d

g




i



o







m





VO
00







3O






^.
CN



ON


|| TOTAL I
Sector Notebook Project
146
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
           Compliance and Enforcement History
Comparison of Enforcement Activity Between Selected Industries

             Exhibits 25 and 26 provide both the 5-year and 1-year enforcement and
             compliance data for most of the industries covered by the sector notebooks.
             These data allow the reader to compare the enforcement and compliance
             history of the sectors and identify trends across sectors and over the 5-year
             period.

             •      Of the industries presented, the crop production sector has the second
                    most identified facilities with 6,688; it also has the second highest
                    number of facilities inspected  (3,046) over the 5-year period. The
                    enforcement-to-inspection rate of 0.03 was the second lowest among
                    all sectors.

             •      Forestry has the second fewest number of facilities (97) among all
                    sectors and the fewest number of facilities inspected (24). Its
                    enforcement-to-inspection rate of 0.15 is the second highest, next to
                    petroleum refining (0.25).

             In Exhibit 26, when compared to all sectors over the last year, the crop
             production sector had the fifth most facilities inspected (1,012) and the fourth
             most inspections conducted (1,459). The enforcement-to-inspection rate of
             0.02 for the crop production sector was among the lowest rates across all
             sectors.  From March  1996 - March 1997, forestry had the fewest number of
             facilities inspected and the lowest number of inspections conducted.

             Exhibits 27 and 28 provide a more in-depth comparison between the crop
             production and forestry sectors and others by organizing inspection and
             enforcement data by environmental statute. Exhibit 27 provides inspection
             and enforcement data over the 5-year period,  while Exhibit 28 provides data
             for the March 1996 - March 1997 only.

             As shown in Exhibit 27, over the 5-year period, nearly three-quarters of all
             inspections conducted at crop production facilities were under the Clean Air
             Act. However, the CAA accounts for only 35 percent of all enforcement
             actions. The enforcement actions are spread  out across the CAA (35%), CWA
              (23%), and RCRA (25%) with FIFRA/TSCA/EPCRA/Other having the lowest
             percentage of enforcement actions (17%). For forestry, more than half of all
              inspections and exactly half of all enforcement actions have come under
              RCRA.

              For March 1996 - March 1997 (see Exhibit 28), again CAA inspections
              account for nearly three-quarters of all inspections for the crop production
              sectors. And, similarly to the 5-year history,  enforcement actions are fairly
              evenly disbursed among the CAA (31%), CWA (34%), and RCRA (28%). It
 Sector Notebook Project
147
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History
              should be noted that 7 percent of all enforcement actions were taken under the
              FIFRA/TSCA/EPCRA/Other category although no inspections were
              conducted within that category.  This number is possible because in many
              EPA regions, media inspectors are being trained to examine the facility from a
              multimedia viewpoint.  As a result, these actions may originate from the
              media inspections.  Regarding the forestry industry, 83 percent of all
              inspections were conducted under the RCRA program.  However, no
              enforcement actions were taken based on those inspections. Two-thirds of all
              enforcement actions were taken under the FIFRA/TSCA/EPCRA/Other
              category, although no inspections were conducted under those programs (see
              above note).
Sector Notebook Project
148
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
           Compliance and Enforcement History










J
s
•0
a
%
T^

<2
ft
B

s
cc
o
8
.2
o
U
•a
c
«
2
0)
u
,o

a
1
i
,>
fe
f
V,
|
&




"^




^^



X




O





fc,





td








r>
"



03

<
e —
1 -i „
.O »j
S M
U

=

(X ta 1

g2|
Isl

M
e
U r.
•3 S =
| S|
•S <
Ed
JS «.
'S ** S
-1 1 1

S o S • ^^ s

•s s
01 ™

S a.
II
s^
si
'i f
b i

1 -s
I"!

Industry Sector
o
o




I



^
oo



s




o






o
o




o
o




in
O
CN




8


[Livestock
o
0




£



&



CN




r-






00




•t
0



so
o




oo
s


l| Crop Production

0




1
TT



§



s




W1






s




90




S




r--


||Forestry
c-)
o




5



^



"




m






^




8
,-T



oo
r-
en




CN
en


cO
C
'H
§
~R

O




^



X)



CN




OO
oo






CN




CO
en



3




so
in
CN


bo
c
c
e
in
o
o




2
CN



o;



S




0,






*




r~-
o
so"



CN
O
^



so
SO


[Oil and Gas Extraction
in
o
o




N



•^



CN
CN
SO




CO






"n
CN




SO
CN
CN



o
OO
CN



in
CN
m
bo
c
'£
JNon-Metallic Mineral M
so
O
0




b



o



en
oo




^






2




in
_.



so
CN




«n
VI


1
o
o




S<
o
en



^



in
CN




en






V"l




r-
so
CN



§




CN


[Lumber and Wood

o




1



0^
OO



S




V")
so






en




ON
C--
cs



oo




a


(Furniture
o
o




0
N



S
OO



oo




0






so




0
s
•<*•



0
en




S


Pulp and Paper '
0
o




N



X>



OO
CN




OO
m
CN





5?




ON
r~~



CN
g
CN



CN
SO
OO
VI

bo
_c
1
oo
o
o




CN



0^



in
CN




OO






ON




ES
O
m



•o
oo
cs




^


Inorganic Chemicals
ON
O
O




CN



SO



ON
CN




en
OS






oo




o
en
CN



en
CN




ON
CN
en

£
9
Resins and Manmade Fil
o
o




o
CN



ds
O
OO



CN
CN




in
en






oo




o
,-,



ON
CS




S


Pharmaceuticals
-
o




en



in
so



oo




en
in






SO




CN
•^t-



v-j
in
en




§


Organic Chemicals
oo
0
o




0s-
SO



g



CN
O




S?






CN




en
ON
i— '



SO




en
so
CN


HAgricultural Chemicals
CN
O




N
en



S
so



en
so




s






en




oo
en



CO




•o
V)


Petroleum Refining
so
o
o




»



bo



SO
r--
CN




CO
r-






in
CN




en
oo
en
*3-



oo




oo
oo


Rubber and Plastic
oo
o
o




M



S



[-»
CN




r~
ON






^




tj
en



oo
oo
en




3

"S
CJ
Stone, Clay, Glass & Co
g
o




N



p;



S




CN






vs




iS
<*



t—
(N




OS


Iron and Steel
§
o




rvl



p



OS




2






S




in

-------
       Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                                                       Compliance and Enforcement History
        •2 £
        •=l|
         w
  I
  u

  •Sll u.

       « -
       I

       u

       «•« **
       3>
  e
  «ll
                                                                                              U-
        I'1
        I &


                                                                                              5"
                                                                                              -§S>
                                                                                              ss
                                                                                              ,OQ
                                                                                              Oo


                                                                                              3

                                                                                              SS
                                                                                              53
                                                                                              Sc
f»0

15
& "°
if
 
-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
           Compliance and Enforcement History



«]
01
i
(W
•a
H-t
•o
S
U
V
I/J
1
S
1
S3
«g
1
m
Enforcemei
In
_o
"o
a)
a
ive-Year Ins
Ifa
•*•
2
1

0 1
co n
FIFRA/T
EPCRA/(

U
C&
*w
Clean Wat(

'u
1
"
"e




ill
% of Total
Inspections
V)
111
% of Total
Inspections
111
% of Total
Inspections
<«
° -2 .2
% of Total
Inspections
i »
j 1 1
c
— 2
0 «
H fi-

t-~
e<
ro
V
T
S
1
•j
c

o
sS
1
9
IY
in
0
n
^
*i
sO
0
co
Tf
r*
1 Forestry 1

r-
^™
g
CO
CN
m
S
£
*""*
s
~
*
oo
2


1 — •
«
0
b
b
0^
vo
n
~
ex
c*
t--
M
'S
I
§

ro
O,
b
CO
!
i
£

r-
ON
O
r-
o
CN
O
ON
lOil and Gas Extraction 1

0^
ro
O
2
ro
O
sO
£
OO
•o
oo
CN
g
vo
CN
CO
O
CO
of
Non-Metallic Mineral Mining 1

VO
»
i
CO
CN
CN
£
"n
i
X
?
t-~
\o

'
OO
CN
CN
CO
0^
>n
in
X)
o
CO
rf
O
CO
O.
rt
D,


"
ON
(N
CO
ro
in
rS
\0
i
CO
ON
vo
CN
ON
o
r-
\

^

O
CO
CO
CN
S
Jjs.
4
JO
CO
m
ro
CN
i
ro"
oc
CN
llnorsanic Chemicals 1

VO
"^
ro
CN
OO
ro
O
CN
O
^
4
$
ON
CN
O
CO
CN"
CO
VO
CN
II Resins and Manmade Fibers 1

m
>n
o
CN

ss
in
CN
2
^
•*
in
ro
^-
2
ON
O
Cl

vo

28%
"
N
VO
*
4
^
^C
ON
r*
lOrganic Chemicals

^
"
o
CO
| 28%
sO
S
CN
^

O

ON
CN
S
lAericultural Chemicals

r-
01
CN
VO
ro
O
O
CN
S


«
OO
0
CO"
CO
IPetroleum Refining


CN
CO
CO
=
2
$
5
K

CO
oc
CO
CN
Rubber and Plastic

*^

CO
o
1 .
CO
0s-

VO
in
Si
c-*
co"
OO
ro
» Stone, Clay, Glass and ,
Concrete

CO

CO
oo
CN
VO
CN
VO
CN


f
O
CO
r-
CN
llron and Steel

2
CN
CO
CO
i
—
$
•*
S
ON
f
O
r
V
G
'G
c
1

O

ro
ro
CO
-
CO
0<

S

VD
vo
"fl
C

CO

ro
in
^
CN
0\

°
o
vo
Jc
oc
MFabricated Metal


CN
O
in
""
"
ro


x>
CO
«n
CN
0
VO
OO
lElectronics

ON
CN
0s-
CO
ro
ON
CO


5
"*
o
V
CN
ON
|
J
]

ON
CN
CN
»n
n
o


0s
CO


CO
c.
0
d
u
(

O
>n
-
CN
sO
N
•— '


JN
CO
CO
CN
ro
"c
O.
4
TD
C
03
DC
C/

CO
0s-
in
ON
CN
^
CN
0s-

(5s
ON
in

CN"
vo
CN,
co"
iGround Transportation

^
0s-
0s-
CO
CO
ro
ro
^
CO
CN
0s

ro

CO

Iwater Transportation

o

0s
OO
oo
i
CN
0s
CN
0s-
CN

n
CN
ON
ON
CO
CN
1 Air Transportation

^ 0
— c
o —
- ^f
CN
CN ro
CO
3N CO

n >n
CO VO
r—
•st" CO
vo VO
of r
1
o
|
v-
1 c
  Sector Notebook Project
151
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
             Compliance and Enforcement History
Sector Notebook Project
152
                                                                          September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                Review of Major Legal Actions
VI. REVIEW OF MAJOR LEGAL ACTIONS

             This section provides summary information about major cases that have
             affected this sector, and a list of Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs).

             Review of Major Cases

             The following cases are examples of EPA's enforcement against the
             agricultural production industries of crops, greenhouses/nurseries, and
             forestry.

             Cumberland Farms, Inc.  In September 1996, a District Court entered a
             consent decree between the U.S. and Cumberland Farms, Inc., which resolves
             a long standing wetlands enforcement action against Cumberland Farms, Inc.,
             for its unpermitted filling of 180 acres of wetlands in violation of the Clean
             Water Act between 1977 and 1990 in Halifax and Hanson, Massachusetts.
             Under the consent decree, Cumberland is required to deed two undeveloped
             tracts of land, totaling 225 acres, to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
             and Wildlife for permanent conservation. In addition, the company will
             establish a 30-acre wildlife and wetlands corridor on the most seriously
             damaged  site and pay a civil $50,000 penalty.  This settlement, along with
             others, will preserve a total of 490 acres of undeveloped habitat in the same
             watershed as the violations. This represents the largest permanent
             preservation of habitat arising from a federal enforcement in New England.

              U.S. v. Tropical Fruit.  Tropical Fruit, S.E., in  Guayanilla, Puerto Rico,
              operates a plantation where it grows mangoes,  bananas, and other fruits.  On
              December 20, 1996, Region 2 issued an administrative order under CERCLA
              106(a) to  Tropical Fruit, S.E., and its three individual partners of that company
              (Avshalom Lubin, Cesar Otero Acevedo, and Pedro Toledo Gonzalez) for
              application of pesticides using a high pressure  applicator that produced a
              cloud which sometimes would drift into the adjacent residential community,
              which is composed of minority and low income residents. The CERCLA
              order requires that the respondents immediately cease and desist from spraying
              pesticides, fungicides, and any other materials  that contain hazardous
              substances in such a manner that these substances might drift or otherwise
              migrate beyond the boundaries of the farm.

              Region 2 also issued an administrative complaint for violations of the Worker
              Protection Standard for agricultural workers under FIFRA. The complaint
              cited Tropical Fruit's failure to post warning signs during and after
              application, as well as its failure to maintain a  decontamination area and a
              central bulletin board with pesticide safety information.
 Sector Notebook Project
153
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
                  Review of Major Legal Actions
               On March 26, 1997, DOJ (acting on EPA's behalf) filed a complaint against
               Tropical Fruit seeking an injunction requiring the firm arid its partners to
               comply with EPA's CERCLA order and all applicable FIFRA requirements.
               Three of the pesticides routinely used by Tropical Fruits on its mango trees are
               not registered for use on mangoes; their use in this manner is in violation of
               FIFRA. The judicial complaint also sought penalties for violations of the
               CERCLA order since its issuance. Also on March 26, 1997, the court signed
               an interim consent order requiring Tropical Fruit to modify its pesticide
               application procedures to prevent these substances from drifting into the
               adjacent residential community.  The order also requires Tropical Fruit to
               better protect its workers by providing extensive training, protective clothing,
               respirators, and decontamination equipment.  Subsequently on May 21, 1997,
               EPA documented further violations of the CERCLA administrative order and
               the judicial interim consent order. On August 22, 1997, Tropical Fruit paid
               $ 10,000 in stipulated penalties for those violations.

               Region 2 also has documented additional FIFRA violations by Tropical Fruit,
               which included the illegal importation of Guitar, an unregistered pesticide
               from the Middle East. In addition, the region has documented violations of
               RCRA UST regulations, as well as violations of CWA §404 and the
               associated regulations regarding discharge of dredged or fill materials into
               wetlands. EPA anticipates that all of these violations will be subject to further
               enforcement action.

               Supplementary Environmental Projects (SEPs)

               SEPs are compliance agreements that reduce a facility's stipulated penalty in
              return for an environmental project that exceeds the value of the reduction.
               Often, these projects fund pollution prevention activities that can significantly
              reduce the future pollutant loadings of a facility. Information on SEPs can be
              accessed via the internet at http://www.epa.gov/oeca/sep.

              There was one SEP at an agricultural crop producing facility. This SEP was
              negotiated with Franklin Mushroom Farms, Incorporated (Franklin Farms) of
              Southington, CT.  The complaint alleged that Franklin Farms illegally
              discharged pollutants to a nearby river in violation of their NPDES Permit. As
              part of a settlement, Franklin Farms agreed to a SEP in which they would
              institute water recycling/conservation methods to reduce overall pollutant
              loading to the river. The cost of instituting these methods was $89,900 at the
              time of the settlement. Franklin Farms also was required to pay a penalty of
              $75,000. Details on this SEP can be found by accessing
              http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sep/searchsep.html, selecting '01 Agriculture - Crop
              Productipn' in the Industrial Sector of Violation  field, and choosing the
              Submit Search button.
Sector Notebook Project
154
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
      Compliance Assurance Activities and
      Initiatives
VII. COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES

             This section highlights the activities undertaken by this industry sector and
             public agencies to voluntarily improve the sector's environmental
             performance. These activities include those independently initiated by
             industrial trade associations. In this section, the notebook also contains a
             listing and description of national and regional trade associations.

VILA. Sector-Related Environmental Programs and Activities

             There are several federal programs available to  the agricultural community to
             assist agricultural producers in complying with  environmental regulations and
             reducing pollution. The following examples represent some industry
             initiatives that promote compliance or assess methods to reduce environmental
             contamination.

       National Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center

             The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the support of the
             Department of Agriculture (USD A), has developed a national Agriculture
             Compliance Assistance Center (Ag Center) to provide a base for "first-stop
             shopping" for the agricultural community — one place for the development of
             comprehensive, easy-to-understand information about approaches to
             compliance that are both environmentally protective and agriculturally sound.
             The Ag Center, a program offered by EPA's Office of Compliance, seeks to
             increase compliance by helping the agricultural community identify flexible,
             common sense ways to comply with the many environmental requirements
             that affect their business.  Initial efforts will focus on providing information
             about EPA's requirements. The Ag Center will rely heavily on existing
             sources of agricultural information and established distribution mechanisms.
             The Ag Center is designed so growers, livestock producers, other
             agribusinesses, and agricultural information/education providers can access its
             resources easily — through telephone, fax, mail, and Internet. The Ag Center
             website can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/agriculture.

Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations

             As part of President Clinton's Clean Water Action Plan (C WAP),  a USD A-
             EPA unified national strategy has been developed to minimize the water
             quality and public health impacts (e.g., nutrient loading, fish kills, odors) of
             animal feeding operations (AFOs). USDA and EPA's goal is for AFO owners
             and operators to take actions to minimize water pollution from confinement
             facilities and land application of manure. To accomplish this goal, this
             Strategy is based on a national performance expectation that all AFOs should
 Sector Notebook Project
155
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
       Compliance Assurance Activities and
       Initiatives
              develop and implement technically sound, economically feasible, and
              site-specific Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs) to
              minimize impacts on water quality and public health.

              CNMPs identify actions or priorities that will be followed to meet clearly
              defined nutrient management goals at an agricultural operation. They should
              address, as necessary, feed management, manure handling and storage, land
              application of manure, land management, recordkeeping, and other utilization
              options. While nutrients are often the major pollutants of concern, the plan
              should address risks from other pollutants, such as pathogens, to minimize
              water quality and public health impacts from AFOs. CNMPs should be site-
              specific and be developed  and implemented to address the goals and needs of
              the individual owner/operator, as well as the conditions on the farm.  USDA
              and EPA issued the final draft of this Strategy in March 1999. For more
              information, the complete  unified national strategy can be accessed at
              http://www.epa.gov/owm/finafost.htm.
VII.B. EPA Programs and Activities
              Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program
              In 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act (CWA) to establish the §319
              Nonpoint Source Management Program in recognition of the need for greater
              federal leadership to help focus state and local nonpoint source efforts.  Under
              §319, states, territories,,and Indian tribes receive grant money to support a
              wide variety of activities, including technical assistance, financial assistance,
              education, training,  technology transfer, demonstration projects, and
              monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation
              projects. For more information about the Clean Water Act §319 Program,
              refer to EPA's Office of Water website at
              http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/sec319.html.

              Clean Lakes Program
              EPA's Clean Lakes  Program supports a variety of lake management activities
              including classification, assessment, study, and restoration of lakes.  The
              program, authorized in §314 of the Clean Water Act, was established to
              provide technical and financial assistance to states/tribes for restoring the
              quality of publicly owned lakes. The Clean Lakes Program has funded
              approximately $145 million for grant activities since 1976 to address lake
              problems, but there  have been no appropriations for the program since 1994.
              EPA has not requested funds for the Clean Lakes Program in recent years, but
              has encouraged states to use §319 funds to fund "eligible activities that might
              have been funded in previous years under Section 314." Information on the
              Clean Lakes Program is available at the following Internet site:
              http://www.epa.gov/owow/lakes/cllkspgm.html.
Sector Notebook Project
156
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
      Compliance Assurance Activities and
      Initiatives
             National Estuary Program
             EP A's National Estuary Program is a national demonstration program,
             authorized in §320 of the Clean Water Act, that uses a comprehensive
             watershed management approach to address water quality and habitat
             problems in 17 estuaries. Nonpoint source pollution is a major contributor of
             contaminants in the estuary and coastal waters around the country. In this
             program, EPA and states/tribes develop conservation and management plans
             that recommend priority corrective actions to restore estuarine water, quality,
             fish populations, and other designated uses of the waters.  Information on the
             National Estuary Program is available at the following Internet site:
             http://www.epa.gov/owowwtrl/estuaries/nep.html or by contacting the
             National Estuary Program Office at (202) 260-1952.

             Chesapeake Bay Program and The Great Lakes National Program
             EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program and the Great Lakes National Program focus
             substantial resources on understanding the extent of nonpoint source pollution
             problems in their respective watersheds and supporting State implementation
             of nonpoint source pollution controls. Since 1984, the Chesapeake Bay
             Program, in particular, has supported the implementation of a substantial
             amount of animal waste management practices through State cost share
             programs funded jointly by the Bay States and EPA. Information on the
             Chesapeake Bay Program is available at
             http://www.epa.gov/owowwtrl/ecoplaces/partl/site2.html. Information on
             The Great Lakes National Program is available at http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/.

             AgSTAR Program
             The AgSTAR program is a voluntary program that promotes the use of
             profitable manure management systems that reduce pollution. The program, a
             component of President Clinton's Climate Action Plan, is based on a
             computer model that shows the economic value of capturing the methane
             naturally produced by manure.

             AgSTAR, a joint program of EPA, USD A, and the Department of Energy,
             helps agricultural producers determine which methane recovery and use
             technologies will work best for them, and develops financing sources to help
             with start-up costs. By investing in these technologies, AgSTAR participants
             realize substantial returns through reduced electrical, gas, and oil bills,
             revenues from high quality manure by-products, and savings on manure
             management operational costs. Partners also reduce pollution associated with
             water resources, odors, and global warming.  Information on AgSTAR is
             available at the following Internet site:
             http://yosemite.epa.gov/methane/home.nsf/pages/agstar.
Sector Notebook Project
157
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
       Compliance Assurance Activities and
       Initiatives
              Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program
              EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is a voluntary
              program dedicated to protecting human health and preserving the environment
              by reducing the risks associated with pesticide use.  The partnership is a key
              element of the program, which is sponsored by EPA, USD A, and FDA.
              Current partners include agricultural producers as well as non-agricultural
              interests. Partners in PESP volunteer to develop arid implement a well
              designed pesticide management plan that will produce the safest and most
              effective way to use pesticides.  In turn, EPA provides a liaison to assist the
              partner in developing comprehensive, achievable goals.  Liaisons act as
              "customer service representatives" for EPA, providing the partner with access
              to information and personnel. EPA also promises to integrate the partners'
              stewardship plans into its agricultural policies and programs.

              So far, agricultural producers have committed to a number of projects,
              including conducting more research into IPM techniques, developing
              computer prediction models for more precise pesticide applications, educating
              their members and the public regarding pesticide use, and working with
              equipment manufacturers to refine application techniques. Information on
              PESP is available at the following Internet site: http://www.pesp.org, or
              contact the PESP hotline at (800)  972-7717.

              Endangered Species Protection Program
              The Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) began in 1988. This
              program is largely voluntary at the present time and relies on cooperation
              between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS),  EPA Regions, States, and
              pesticide users. EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program is designed to
              protect Federally-listed endangered and threatened species from exposure to
              pesticides. The program is intended to provide information concerning and
              regulation for the use of pesticides that may adversely affect the survival,
              reproduction and/or food supply of listed species. Due to labeling
              requirements, potential users will be informed prior to making a purchase that
              there may be local limitations on product use due to endangered species
              concerns. Information on the Endangered Species Protection Program is
              available at the following Internet site:
              http://www.epa.gov/oppfeadl/endanger/index.htm.

              Energy Star® Buildings and Green Lights® Partnership
              In 1991, EPA introduced Green Lights®, a program designed for businesses
              and organizations to proactively combat pollution by installing energy-
              efficient lighting technologies in their commercial and industrial buildings. In
              April 1995, Green Lights® expanded into Energy Star® Buildings— a
              strategy that optimizes whole-building energy-efficiency opportunities. The
              energy needed to run commercial and industrial buildings in the United States
Sector Notebook Project
158
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
      Compliance Assurance Activities and
      Initiatives
             produces 19 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, 12 percent of nitrogen
             oxides, and 25 percent of sulfur dioxide, at a cost of $ 110 billion a year. If
             implemented in every U.S. commercial and industrial building, the Energy
             Star® Buildings upgrade approach could prevent up to 35 percent of the
             emissions associated with these buildings and cut the nation's energy bill by
             up to $25 billion annually.

             The more than 2,900 participants include corporations, small businesses,
             universities, health care facilities, nonprofit organizations, school districts, and
             federal and local governments. As of March 31,  1999, Energy Star®Buildings
             and Green Lights® Program participants are saving $775 million in energy
             • bills with an annual savings of 31.75 kilowatt per square foot and annual cost
             savings of $0.47 per square foot. By joining, participants agree to upgrade 90
             percent of their owned facilities with energy-efficient lighting and 50 percent
             of their owned facilities with whole-building upgrades, where profitable, over
             a seven-year period. Energy Star® participants first reduce their energy loads
             with the Green Lights® approach to building tune-ups, then focus on "right
             sizing" their heating and cooling equipment to match their new energy needs.
             EPA's  Office of Air and Radiation is responsible for operating the Energy
             Star® Buildings and Green Lights® Program. (Contact: Energy Star Hotline,
              1-888-STAJR-YES (1-888-782-7937) or Maria Tikoff Vargas, Co-Director at
             (202) 564-9178 or visit the website at http://www.epa.gov/buildings.)

             WasteWi$e Program
             The WasteWi$e Program was started in 1994 by EPA's Office of Solid Waste
             and Emergency Response. The program is aimed at reducing municipal solid
             wastes  by promoting waste prevention, recycling collection, and the
             manufacturing and purchase of recycled products. As of 1998, the program
             had about 700 business, government, and institutional partners. Partners agree
             to identify and implement actions to reduce their solid wastes by setting waste
             reduction goals and providing EPA with yearly progress reports for a three-
             year period. EPA, in turn, provides partners with technical assistance,
             publications, networking opportunities, and national and regional recognition.
              (Contact: WasteWi$e Hotline at (800) 372-9473 or Joanne Oxley, EPA
             Program Manager, (703) 308-0199.)

              Climate Wise Program
              In October 1993, President Clinton unveiled the Climate Change Action Plan
              (CCAP) in honor of the United States' commitment to reducing its greenhouse
              gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. Climate Wise, a project jointly
              sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, is one of the projects
              initiated under CCAP.
 Sector Notebook Project
159
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
       Compliance Assurance Activities and
       Initiatives
              Climate Wise is a partnership between government and industry that offers
              companies a nonregulatory approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
              Climate Wise state and local government "allies" work with U.S. industries to
              develop flexible, comprehensive strategies for achieving energy efficiency and
              pollution prevention. They help local business identify and implement projects
              that often require little capital investment, but promise a high rate of return.
              Companies that become Climate Wise partners receive technical assistance
              and financing information to help them develop and implement cost-effective
              changes. (Contact: Climate Wise Clearinghouse at (301) 230-4736 or visit the
              Climate Wise website at http://www.epa.gov/climatewise/allies.htm or
              http://www.epa.gov/climatewise/index.htm.)
VII.C.  USDA Programs and Activities
              Environmental Quality Incentives Program
              The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a USDA funded
              program (led by Natural Resources Conservation Service) that was established
              in the 1996 Farm Bill to provide a voluntary conservation program for fanners
              and ranchers who face serious threats to soil, water, and related natural
              resources. EQEP embodies four of USDA's former conservation programs,
              including the Agricultural Conservation Program, the Water Quality
              Incentives Program, the Great Plains Conservation Program, and the Colorado
              River Basin Salinity Control Program.

              EQIP offers 5 to 10 year contracts that provide incentive payments and cost-
              sharing for conservation practices called for in a site-specific conservation
              plan that is required for all EQIP activities. Cost-sharing may include up to
              75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices, such as grassed
              waterways, filter strips, manure management facilities, capping abandoned
              wells, and other practices. Incentive payments may be made to encourage land
              management practices such as nutrient management, manure management,
              integrated pest management, irrigation water management, and wildlife habitat
              management.  These payments may be provided for up to three years to
              encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not
              otherwise use without the program incentive.

              EQEP has an authorized budget of $1.3 billion through the year 2002. It was
              funded for $174 million in 1999. Total cost-share and incentive payments are
              limited to $10,000 per person per year and $50,000 for the length of the
              contract.  Eligibility is limited to persons who are engaged in livestock or
              agricultural production. Fifty percent of the funds must be spent on livestock
              production. The 1996  Farm Bill prohibits owners of large confined livestock
              operations from being eligible for cost-share assistance for animal waste
              storage or treatment facilities. However, technical, educational, and financial
Sector Notebook Project
160
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
      Compliance Assurance Activities and
      Initiatives
             assistance may be provided for other conservation practices on such
             operations. Further information relating to EQIP may be found on NRCS's
             website located at
             http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/OPA/FB96OPA/eqipfact.html.

             Conservation Reserve Program
             The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a highly successful conservation
             program administered by USD A. Since 1986,  CRP has provided financial
             incentives to farmers and ranchers to take land out of agricultural production
             and plant trees, grass and other types of vegetation. The result has been
             reduced soil erosion, improved air and water quality, and establishment of
             millions of acres of wildlife habitat.

             With the New Conservation Reserve Program, launched with the final rule
             published in the Federal Register on February 19, 1997, the Farm Service
             Agency (FSA) begins a renewed effort to achieve the full potential of
             government-farmer conservation partnerships. Only the most
             environmentally-sensitive land, yielding the greatest environmental benefits,
             will be accepted into the program.

             The 36.4-million-acre congressionally mandated cap on enrollments is carried
             over from the previous program, meaning that the new CRP has authority to
             enroll only about 15 percent of the eligible cropland.  To make the most of the
             program's potential, a new Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) was
             developed. The new EBI will be used to select areas and acreages offering the
             greatest environmental benefits.

             Conservation priority areas (CP As) are regions targeted for CRP enrollment.
             The four national CPAs are the Long Island Sound region, the Chesapeake
             Bay and surrounding areas, an area adjacent to the Great Lakes, and the Prairie
             Pothole region. FSA State  Committees may also designate up to 10 percent of
             a State's remaining cropland as a State Conservation Priority Area. The
             NRCS is responsible for determining the relative environmental benefits of
             each acre offered for participation.

             Continuous Sign-Up. For certain high-priority conservation practices yielding
             highly desirable environmental benefits, producers may sign up at any time,
             without waiting for an announced sign-up period. Continuous sign-up allows
             farmers and ranchers management flexibility in implementing certain
             conservation practices on their cropland.  These practices are specially
             designed to achieve significant environmental benefits, giving participants a
             chance to help protect and  enhance wildlife habitat, improve air quality, and
             improve the condition of America's waterways.  Unlike the general CRP
             program, sign-up for these special practices is open continuously. Provided
Sector Notebook Project
161
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
        Compliance Assurance Activities and
        Initiatives
               certain eligibility requirements are met, acreage is automatically accepted into
               the program at a per-acre rental rate not to exceed the Commodity Credit
               Corporation's maximum payment amount, based on site-specific soil
               productivity and local prevailing cash-equivalent rental rates. For more
               information on the CRP, see USDA's website at
               http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crpinfo.htm.

               Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
               The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a refinement of the
               CRP, is a state-federal conservation partnership program targeted to address
               specific state and nationally significant water quality, soil erosion and wildlife
               habitat issues related to agricultural use. The program uses financial incentives
               to encourage farmers and ranchers to voluntarily enroll in contracts of 10 to 15
               years in duration to remove lands from agricultural production. This
               community-based conservation program provides a flexible design of
               conservation practices and financial incentives to address environmental
               issues. For more information about CREP, refer to USDA's website at
              http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafb/cepd/crep/crephome.htm.

              Wetlands Reserve Program
              Congress authorized the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) under the Food
              Security Act of 1985, as amended by the 1990 and 1996 Farm Bills.  USDA's
              Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the program in
              consultation with the Farm Service Agency and other Federal agencies. WRP
              is a voluntary program to restore wetlands. Landowners who choose to
              participate in WRP may sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share
              restoration agreement with USD A to restore and protect wetlands. The
              landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private
              ownership.

              WRP offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30-year
              easements, and restoration cost-share agreements of a minimum 10-year
              duration. In exchange for establishing a permanent easement, the landowner
              receives payment up to the  agricultural value of the land and 100 percent of
              the restoration costs for restoring the wetland. In exchange for the 30-year
              easement, the landowner receives a payment of 75 percent of what would be
              provided for a permanent easement on "the same site and 75 percent of the
              restoration cost. The restoration cost-share agreement is an agreement
              (generally for a minimum of 10 years) to re-establish degraded or lost wetland
              habitat, in which USD A pays the landowner 75 percent of the cost of the
              restoration activity. Restoration cost-share agreements establish wetland
              protection and restoration as the primary land use for the duration of the
              agreement. In all instances, landowners continue to control access to their
              land. For more information about WRP, see NRCS's website at:
Sector Notebook Project
162
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
      Compliance Assurance Activities and
      Initiatives
              http://wl.fb-net.org/.

              Conservation Farm Option
              The Conservation Farm Option (CFO) is a voluntary pilot program for
              producers of wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice. The program purposes
              include conservation of soil, water, and related resources, water quality
              protection and improvement, wetland restoration, protection and creation,
              wildlife habitat development and protection, or other similar conservation
              activities. Eligibility is limited to owners and producers who have contract
              acreage enrolled in the Agricultural Market Transition program. Participants
              are required to develop and implement a conservation farm plan.  The plan
              becomes part of the CFO contract which covers a ten year period.  CFO is not
              restricted as to what measures may be included in the conservation plan, so
              long as they provide environmental benefits. During the contract period the
              owner or producer (1) receives annual payments for implementing the CFO
              contract, and  (2) agrees to forgo payments under the Conservation Reserve
              Program, the  Wetlands Reserve Program, and the Environmental Quality
              Incentives Program in exchange for one consolidated program.

              Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
              The Wildlife  Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program
              (administered by NRCS) for people who want to develop and improve wildlife
              habitat primarily on private lands.  It provides both technical assistance and
              cost-share payments to help establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat.

              Under this program, NRCS helps participants prepare a wildlife habitat
              development plan in consultation with the local conservation district. The
              plan describes the landowner's goals for improving wildlife habitat, includes a
              list of practices and a schedule for installing them, and details the steps
              necessary to maintain the habitat for the life of the agreement.  This plan may
              or may not be part of a larger conservation plan that addresses other resource
              needs such as water quality and soil erosion.

              USDA and the participant  enter into a cost-share agreement that generally
              lasts between 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed. Under the
              agreement: the landowner  agrees to install and maintain WHIP, practices and
              allow NRCS  or its agent access to monitor the effectiveness of the practices;
              and USDA agrees to provide technical assistance and pay up to 75 percent of
              the cost of installing the wildlife habitat practices.

              WHIP is currently budgeted for $50 million total through the year 2002.
              WHIP funds  are distributed to States based on State wildlife habitat priorities,
              which may include wildlife habitat areas, targeted species and their habitats
              and specific practices.  WHIP may be implemented in cooperation with other
 Sector Notebook Project
163
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
        Compliance Assurance Activities and
        Initiatives
               Federal, State, or local agencies; conservation districts; or private conservation
               groups.  For more information, see NRCS's website at
               http://www.nrcs.usda.gov.

               Conservation of Private Grazing Land Initiative
               The Conservation of Private Grazing Land initiative will ensure that technical,
               educational, and related assistance is provided to those who own private
               grazing lands. It is not a cost share program.  This technical assistance will
               offer opportunities for better grazing and land management; protecting soil
               from erosive wind and water; using more energy-efficient ways to produce
               food and fiber; conserving water; providing habitat for wildlife; sustaining
               forage and grazing plants; using plants to sequester greenhouse gases and
               increase soil organic matter; and using grazing lands as a source of biomass
               energy and raw materials for industrial products.

               The Wetland Conservation Provision (Swampbuster)
               This provision, part of the 1985, 1990, and 1996 farm bills, requires all
               agriculture producers to protect wetlands on the farms they own or operate if
               they want to be eligible for USDA farm program benefits. The Swampbuster
               program generally allows the continuation of most ongoing farming practices
               as long as wetlands are not converted or wetland drainage increased. The
              program discourages farmers from altering wetlands by withholding Federal
               farm program benefits from any person who does the following:

              —      Plants an agricultural commodity on a converted wetland that was
                     converted by drainage, dredging, leveling or any other means after
                     December 23, 1985.
              —      Converts  a wetland for the purpose of or to make agricultural
                     commodity production after November 28, 1990.

              In order to ensure farm program benefits under the Swampbuster provisions,
              the local NRCS office should be contacted before clearing, draining, or
              manipulating any wet areas on any farmland.
VII.D.  Other Voluntary Initiatives
              NICE3
              The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors a grant program called National
              Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics
              (NICE3). The NICE3 program provides funding to state and industry
              partnerships (large and small businesses) for projects demonstrating advances
              in energy efficiency and clean production technologies. The goal of the NICE3
              program is to demonstrate the performance and economics of innovative
              technologies  in the U.S., leading to the commercialization of improved
Sector Notebook Project
164
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
     Compliance Assurance Activities and
     Initiatives              	
              industrial manufacturing processes. These processes should conserve energy,
              reduce waste, and improve industrial cost-competitiveness. Industry applicants
              must submit project proposals through a state energy, pollution prevention, or
              business development office. Awardees receive a one-time, three-year grant of
              up to $400,000, representing up to 50 percent of a project's total cost. In
              addition, up to  $25,000 is  available to support the state applicant's cost share.
              (Contact: View the website at http//www.oit.doe.gov/Access/nice3; Steve
              Blazek, DOE, (303) 275-4723; or Eric Hass, DOE, (303) 275-4728.)

              ISO 14000
              ISO 14000 is a series of internationally-accepted standards for environmental
              management. The series includes standards for environmental management
              systems (EMS), guidelines on conducting EMS audits, standards for auditor
              qualifications,  and standards and guidance for conducting product lifecycle
              analysis.  Standards for auditing and EMS were adopted in September 1996,
              while other elements of the ISO 14000 series are currently in draft form.
              While regulations and levels of environmental control vary from country to
              country, ISO 14000 attempts to provide a common standard for environmental
              management.  The governing body for ISO 14000 is the International
              Organization for Standardization (ISO), a worldwide federation of over 110
              country members based in Geneva,  Switzerland. The American National
              Standards Institute (ANSI) is the United States representative to ISO.
              Information on ISO is available at the following Internet site:
              http://www.iso.ch/welcome.html.

              American Forest and Paper Association Sustainable Forest Initiative
              (SFI)
              The Sustainable Forestry  Initiative (SFI) program is a comprehensive system
              of principles, objectives and performance measures that integrates the
              perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife,
              plants, soil and water quality. AFPA members are committed to following the
              substance and spirit of best management practices (BMPs) on their own land
              and in operations they are involved in with other landowners and loggers.

 VILE. Summary of Trade Associations

              There are more than 200  trade associations that deal with  agricultural issues.
              Many of these are at the national level, while others deal specifically with
              regions of the country or  individual states.  The following identify some of the
              major associations addressing agricultural production.
  Sector Notebook Project
165
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
 Compliance Assurance Activities and
 Initiatives
              Agricultural Retailers Association
              (ARA)
              11701 Borman Drive, Suite 110
              St. Louis, MO 63146
              314-567-6655

              American Farm Bureau Federation
              Headquarters Office
              225 Touhy'Ave.
              Park Ridge, IL 60068
              847-685-8600

              American Farm Bureau Federation
              Washington DC Office
              Suite 800
              600 Maryland Ave. S.W.
              Washington, DC 20024
              202-484-3600

              American Feed Industry Association
              1501 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
              Arlington, VA 22209
              703-524-0810

              American Oat Association
              415  Shelard Parkway, Suite 101
              Minneapolis, MN 55426
              612-542-9817

              American Society of Agronomy
              677  S. Segoe Rd.
              Madison, WI53711
              608-273-8080 ext.3030

              American Sugarbeet Growers
              Association
              156  15th Street, NW, Suite 1101
              Washington, DC 20005
              202-833-2398
    American Crop Protection
    Association
    1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 400
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-296-1595

    American Forest & Paper
    Association (AF&PA)'
    1111 19th St., NW, Suite 800
    Washington, DC 20036
    202-463-2700
    E-mail: INFO@afandpa.org

    American Nursery & Landscape
    Association
    1250 I Street, NW
    Suite 500
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-789-2933

    American Pulpwood Association,
    Inc.
   .,600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350
    Rockville, Maryland 20852
    301-838-9385

    American Soybean Association
    540 Maryville Centre Drive
    P.O. Box 419200
    St. Louis, MO 63141
    314-576-1770

    Association of American Pesticide
    Control Officials
    P.O. Box 1249
    Hardwick, VT 05843
    802-472-6956
Sector Notebook Project
166
September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
Compliance Assurance Activities and
Initiatives
             Association of American Plant Food
             Control Officials (AAPFCO)
             Food & Drug Protection Division
             North Carolina Department of
             Agriculture'
             4000 Reedy Creek Rd.
             Raleigh, NC 27607
             919-733-7366

             Clean Water Network
             1200 New York Ave, NW
             Washington, DC 20005
             202-287-2395

             Eastern Dark-fired Tobacco Growers
             Association
             1109 S. Main Street
             PO Box 517
             Springfield, TN 37172
             615-384-4543

             Farmworker Justice Fund
             1111 19th Street, NW Suite 1000
             Washington, DC 20036
             202-776-1757

             Garden Centers of America
              1250 I Street, NW, Suite 500
             Washington, DC 20005
             202-789-2900

             National Association of State
             Departments of Agriculture
              (NASDA)
              1156 15th St., NW, Suite 1020
              Washington, DC 20005
              202-296-9680

              National Coalition Against the
              Misuse of Pesticides
              701 E Street, SE, Suite 200
              Washington, DC 20003
              202-543-5450
    Burley Tobacco Growers
    Cooperative Association
    PO Box 860
    Lexington, KY 40587
    606-252-3561

    California Fertilizers Association
    1700 I St., Suite 130
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    916-441-1584

    Conservation Technology
    Information Center (CTIC)
    1220 Potter Drive, Room 170
    West Lafayette, IN 47906-1383
    765-494-9555

    Environmental Working Group
    1101 Wilson Blvd.
    Arlington, VA 22209
    703-243-3002

    Forest Landowners Association
    P.O. Box 95385
    Atlanta, Georgia 30347
    800-325-2954

    Institute for Agriculture and Trade
    Policy
    2105  1st Avenue South
    Minneapolis, MN 55404
    612-870-0453

    National Association of Wheat
    Growers
    415 2nd Street, ME, Suite 300
    Washington, DC 20002
    202-547-7800

    National Corn Growers Association
    1000 Executive Parkway, Suite 105
    St.  Louis, MO 63141
    314-275-9915
 Sector Notebook Project
 167
September 2000

-------
  Agricultural Crop Production Industry
  Compliance Assurance Activities and
  Initiatives
               National Cotton Council
               1521 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
               Washington, DC 20036
               202-745-7805

               National Council of Farmer Coops
               (NCFC)
               50 F Street, NW, Suite 900
               Washington, DC 20001

               National Hay Association
               102 Treasure Island Causeway
               Suite 201
               St. Petersburg, FL 33706
               813-367-9702

              National Sunflower Association
              4023 State Street
              Bismark, ND 58501
              701-328-5100

              Society of American Foresters
              5400 Grosvenor Lane
              Bethesda, MD20814
              301-897-8720
              E-mail: safweb@samet.org

              United Farm Workers of America
              1188 Franklin Street, Suite 203
              San Francisco, CA 94109
              415-674-1884

              USDA's Forest Service
              Auditors Building
              201 14th Street, S.W.
              Washington, DC 20024
              202-205-1661
     National Council of Agricultural
     Employers
     1112 6th Street, NW, Suite 920
     Washington, DC 20036
     202-728-0300

     National Grain and Feed Association
     1201 New York Avenue, NW
     Suite 830
     Washington, DC 20005
     202-289-0873

     National Pest Control Association
     8100 Oak Street (NPCA)
     Dunn Loring, VA 22027
     703-573-8330

     Potato Association of America
     University of Idaho
     1776 Science Center Drive
     Idaho Falls, ID .83402
     208-529-8376

     The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)
     501 Second Street, NE
    Washington, DC 20002

    USA Rice Council
    P.O. Box 740123
    Houston, TX 77274
    713-270-6699
Sector Notebook Project
168
                                                                    September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
        Contacts/Resource Materials/Bibliography
VIII.  CONTACTS/RESOURCE MATERIALS/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For further information on selected topics within the agricultural crop production industries, a
list of contacts and publications are provided below.

Contacts2                                                                    	
Name
Ginah Mortensen
Arty Williams
Jean Frane
David Stangel
Joseph Hogue
Robert McNally
Joseph Nevola
Ellen Kramer
Robert A. Forrest
Nancy Fitz
John MacDonald
Organization
EPA, Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance (OECA),
Agriculture Division, Agriculture
Branch
EPA, Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances (OPPT)
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OECA
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OPPT
Telephone
913-551-5211
703-305-5239
703-305-5944
202-564-4162
703-308-9072
703-308-8085
703-308-8037
703-305-6475
703-308-9376
703-305-7385
703-305-7370
Subject
Notebook Contact
Ground Water
Pesticide Management
Plan Rule
Food Quality
Protection Act
Stored or Suspended
Pesticides; Good
Laboratory Practice
Standards; Pesticide
Management and
Disposal
FIFRA
Restricted Use "
Classifications
FIFRA Pesticide
Tolerances
FIFRA Pesticide
Tolerances
FIFRA Pesticide
Tolerances
FIFRA Exemptions
FIFRA Pesticide
Management and
Disposal
Certification and
Training
 2 Many of the contacts listed above have provided valuable information and comments during the development
 of this document. EPA appreciates this support and acknowledges that the individuals listed do not necessarily
 endorse all statements made within this notebook.
 Sector Notebook Project
169
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
         Contacts/Resource Materials/Bibliography
Kevin Keaney
Al Havinga
Carol Galloway
Sharon Buck
Greg Beatty
Roberta Parry
Robin Dunkins
Kurt Roos
Howard Beard
Tracy Back
EPA, OPPT
EPA, OECA
EPA, OECA
EPA, OWOW
EPA, OWM
EPA, OPEI
EPA, OAQPS
EPA, OAR
EPA, OGWDW
EPA, CCSMD
703-305-5557
202-564-4147
913-551-5008
202-260-0306
202-260-6929
202-260-2876
919-541-5335
202-564-9041
202-260-8796
202-564-7076
FIFRA Worker
Protection Standards .
Livestock Issues
Livestock Issues
Nonpoint Source Issues
NPDES Permniting
Issues
Livestock and Crop
Issues
Air Issues
Atmospheric Programs
Drinking water Issues
Compliance Assistance
Centers
 General Profile
 1997 National Resources Inventory - Summary Report, National Resources Conservation
 Service, United States Department of Agriculture. December 1999.

 Occupational Outlook Handbook Home Page, Bureau of Labor Statistics Home Page.
 December 1996.

 SIC Code Profile 01 and 07, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution
 Prevention and Toxics, Draft, September 30, 1994.

 Newsletter: Small and Part Time Farms, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fall 1996.

 Enforcement Accomplishments Report, FY 1992, U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement
 (EPA/230-R93-001), April 1993.
                                                            ^
Enforcement Accomplishments Report, FY 1993, U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement
 (EPA/300-R94-003), April 1994.

Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Accomplishments Report, FY  1994, U.S. EPA,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (EPA/300-R94-003), April 1995.
Sector Notebook Project
170
                             September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
       Contacts/Resource Materials/Bibliography
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Accomplishments Report, FY 1995, U.S. EPA,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (EPA/300-R94-003), April 1996.

Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Accomplishments Report, FY 1996, U.S. EPA,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (EPA/300-R-97-003), 1997.

Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Accomplishments Report, FY 1997, U.S. EPA,
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (EPA/300-R-98-003), July 1998!

Occupational Outlook Handbook Home Page, Bureau of Labor Statistics Home Page.
December 1996.

North American Industrial Classification System, Office of Management and Budget.

Standard Industrial Classification Manual, Office of Management and Budget, 1987.

U.S. Agriculture Census, 1992 and 1997.

Operations and Pollution Prevention	.	

Best Management Practices for Field Production of Nursery Stock, North Carolina State
University Biological and Agricultural Engineering Extension Service
(http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/ag-env/nursery/).

Biocontrol of Plant Diseases Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, 1997 Internet
search.

1998 Crop Residual Management Survey Executive Summary, Top 10 Conservation Tillage
Benefits, Conservation Tillage Information Center.

Effect ofpH on Pesticide Stability and Efficacy, Winand K. Hock, Perm State University
(http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/facts-slides-self/facts/gen-peapp-ph.html).

Environmental Guidelines for Greenhouse Growers - Site Planning, British Columbia
Ministry (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/fppa/pubs/environ/greenhse/grnhse.htm).

Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal
Waters, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/)
January 1993.

Nonpoint Source Pollution:  The Nation's Largest Water Quality Problem Pointer No. 1, US
EPA 1996.

NRCS Conservation Practice Standards, http://www.ncg.usda.gov/practicejstds.h1ml.
 Sector Notebook Project
171
September 2000

-------
 Agricultural Crop Production Industry
         Contacts/Resource Materials/Bibliography
 Principles of Irrigation Management: Water Management Guidelines for Nursery/Floral
 Producers, 1997, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/environ/wmprinc.html).

 Texas Greenhouse Management Handbook, Dr. Don Wilkerson, Texas Agricultural
 Extension Service (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/guides/green/green.html)
 (no date).

 Treating and Recycling Irrigation Runoff: Water Management Guidelines for Nursery/Floral
 Producers, 1997, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/envirori/wmrecyc.html).

 Water Quality and Waste Management, North Carolina Cooperative Extension,
 http://www2.ncsu.edu/bae/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/index.html.

 Miller, W.P., "Environmental Considerations in Land Application of By-Product Gypsum,"
 Agricultural Utilization of Urban and Industrial By-Products, American Society of
 Agronomy, Madison, WI,  1995.

 Regulatory Profile	'     	

 Ag Environmental Programs, http://es.epa.gov/oeca/ag/aglaws/.

 Enforceable State Mechanisms for the Control ofNonpoint Source Water Pollution,
 Environmental Law Institute, 1997.

 1996 Farm Bill Conservation Provisions,
 http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/OPA/FB96OPA/FBillLnk.html.

 1996 Farm Bill Summary, http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/titleO.htm.

 Major Existing EPA Laws and Programs That Could Affect Producers of Agricultural
 Commodities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Agriculture and Ecosystems Division
 Augusts, 1996.

 Overview of the Storm Water Program, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection
 Agency, June 1996. EPA 833-R-96-008.

 U.S. EPA Permit Writers' Manual, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water
 (EPA-833-B-96-003) December 1996.

Haugnid, K. Jack. "Agriculture," Chapter 8 in Sustainable Environmental Law, Integrating
Natural Resource and Pollution Abatement Law from Resources to Recovery, Environmental
Law Institute, St. Paul, 1993.

Landfair, Stanley W.  "Toxic Substances Control Act," Chapter 11 in Environmental Law
Handbook, 12th ed., Government Institutes, Inc., Rockville, MD, 1993.
Sector Notebook Project
172
                              September 2000

-------
Agricultural Crop Production Industry
       Contacts/Resource Materials/Bibliography
Miller, Marshall E.  "Federal Regulation of Pesticides," Chapter 13 in Environmental Law
Handbook, 12th ed., Government Institutes, Inc., Rockville, MD, 1993.

Other Resources	^___	

AgNIC, http://WAVw.agnic.org/.

Farm*A*Syst, http://www.wisc.edu/farmasyst/index.html.

The Quality of Our Nation's Water, http://www.epa.gov/305b.

Manure Master Decision Support Tool, http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ManureMaster/.

State Partners of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
http://www.reeusda.gov/statepartners/usa.htm.
 Sector Notebook Project
173
September, 2000

-------
                                             Charge your order,
                                                  It's easy!
        Order Processing Code: 3212
                                                                            Fax your orders (202) 512-2250
                                                                         Phone your orders (202) 512-1800
                                                                    Order online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov
Qty







































GPO Stock #

005-000-0051 2-5
055-000-0051 3-3

055-000-0051 5-0
005-000-0051 6-8
055-000-0051 7-6
055-000-0051 9-2
055-000-00520-6
055-000-00521 -4

055-000-00523-1

005-000-00525-7
055-000-00526-5
055-000-00527-3
055-000-00528-1

055-000-0051 4-1





055-000-00574-5





055-000-00579-6
055-000-0061 9-9



055-000-00635-1

055-0 0 0-00633-4
055-000-00634-2
Title
Published in 1995
Profile of the Dry Cleaning Industry, 104 paqes
Profile of the Electronics and Computer Industry, 160 paqes
Profile of the Fabricated Metal Products Industry, 164 paqes
3rofile of the Inorganic Chemical Industry, 136 paqes
Profile of the Iron and Steel Industry, 128 paqes
3rofile of the Lumber and Wood Products Industry, 136 paqes
3rofile of the Metal Mininq Industry, 148 paqes
3rofile of the Motor Vehicle Assembly Industry, 156 paqes
3rofile of the Nonferrous Metals Industry, 140 paqes
Drofile of the Non-Fuel, Non-Metal Mininq Industry 108 paqes
^rofile of the Organic Chemical Industry, 152 paqes
Profile of the Petroleum Refininq Industry, 124 paqes
^rofile of the Printinq Industry, 124 paqes
3roffle of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 1 56 paqes
^rofile of the Rubber and Plastic Industry, 1 52 paqes
3rofile of the Stone, Clay, Glass and Concrete Industry, 124 pages
3rofile of the Transportation Equipment Cleaninq Industry 84 pages
'rofile of the Wood Furniture and Fixtures Industry, 132 paqes
Published in 1997
3rofile of the Air Transportation Industry, 90 paqes
'rofile of the Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation Ind., 160 pages
'raffle of the Ground Transportation Industry, 130 pages
'rofile of the Metal Casting Industry, 1 50 paqes
'rofile of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry, 147 paqes
'raffle of the Plastic Resin & Man-made Fiber Industry, 180 paqes
3rofile of the Shipbuildinq and Repair Industry, 120 paqes
'rofile of the Textile Industry, 130 paqes
'rofile of the Water Transportation Industry, 90 paqes
Published in 1998
Sector Notebook Data Refresh-1997, 210 paqes
'raffle of the Aerospace Industry, 130 paqes
Published in 1999
'rofile of Local Government Operations, 310 pages
Published in 2000
'rofile of the Agricultural Chemical, Pesticide and Fertilizer Industry 200p
'rofile of the Agricultural Crop Production Industry, 1 78 pages
Profile of the Agricultural Livestock Production Industry 1 59 paqes
'rofile of the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry,
Price (each

$6 50

$11 00
$9 00
$8 00
$9 00
$10 00
$1 1 00
$900
$6 00

$11 00
$7 50
$11.00
$11 00
$7.50
$550



$14.00

$13 00


$950



$1700


$25 00


$1600
$15 00
$16.00
Total







































The total cost of my order is $ . Price includes regular shipping and
handling and is subject to change. International orders add 25 percent.
        Company or personal name (please type or print)
        Additional address/attention line
        Street Address
        City, State, Zip Code
                                                           Check method of payment:
                                                           CH Check payable to Superintendent of Documents
                                                           D GPO Deposit Account _
                                                           D VISA  D MasterCard
                                                           Credit Card # _
                                                                                        Discover/NOVUS
                                                              Expiration date _
                                                                               Thank you for your order!
**
     Daytime phone including area code

Important: Please include completed order form with payment
                                                              Authorizing signature

                                                              Mail to: Superintendent of Documents
                                                                     P.O. Box 371954
                                                                     Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

-------

-------
o ^


   5>
Pi
          
-------