|
Little
Assawoman Bay Watershed Coordinator
PINE,
the Poultry Integrators Nutrient Effort, is a program developed
by the Center for the Inland
Bays (CIB) in response to a “model watershed concept”
proposed by Perdue
Farms, Inc., in 2001. The idea for a “model watershed”
was brought to the Center for the Inland Bays by the major poultry
integrators as a project for partnership between the environmental
and agricultural sectors. Both were interested in establishing a
“model watershed” as an example of complete voluntary
compliance by the agricultural sector with the Delaware
Nutrient Management Law.
The Little Assawoman
Bay watershed was targeted for the “model watershed”
approach because 57% of the land use is agricultural and there are
no point sources. Because of this, Best Management Practices (BMPs)
put into place can impact the water quality and the resulting nutrient
reductions can be more easily quantified.
In an
effort to implement the PINE program, the CIB established a PINE
Steering Committee to coordinate representative interests from the
agricultural sector, state government and the Center for the Inland
Bays. A grant from the EPA's
Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program has enabled the PINE Steering
Committee to establish a Watershed Coordinator to manage nonpoint
source nutrient reduction projects in the Little Assawoman Bay watershed.
This $60,000 grant will be matched by $15,000 from the Delaware
Nutrient Management Commission.
During
the first six to eight months, the Coordinator will identify and
solicit volunteer agricultural operations for nutrient management
data collection. The Coordinator will also be working on an Environmental
Assessment of the watershed to assist in the development of a Strategic
Watershed Plan. This assessment will help DNREC and the poultry
integrators determine what improvements have been made and the steps
necessary to meet the TMDL for Little Assawoman Bay. Habitat restoration
assessments, shoreline enhancement projects, and storm water retrofit
projects will be included in the plan, along with other mitigation
projects. The position is a two-year, contractual position for someone
who is familiar with agricultural practices and the unique ecology
of the Inland Bays.
The search for a Little
Assawoman Bay Watershed Coordinator began in February with an announcement
in local media sources. Nine applicants were considered and the
steering committee members interviewed four candidates for the position.
At this time, an employment offer has been delayed awaiting final
notification of the 319 assistance award for the PINE project.
With
the Coordinator in place, the PINE Steering Committee hopes to use
the Little Assawoman Bay Watershed as an example for the nation
regarding the impact of voluntary agricultural efforts on nutrient
reduction.
|
