| Working Together to Protect Water Quality |
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Written by Susan Ortiz
Published with permission from the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District
The Agricultural Water Quality Management (AgWQM) Program is responsible for developing and implementing agricultural pollution prevention and control programs to protect the quality of Oregon's waters. The Agricultural Water Quality Management Program has evolved in response to water quality programs and requirements under various state and federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act and Senate Bill 1010, passed in 1993 by the Oregon legislature.
Working in partnership with Linn SWCD, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) designated the South Santiam AgWQM Area. With the assistance of a local advisory committee (LAC), consisting of stakeholders residing in the watershed, a watershed plan was developed. The plan identified local water quality problems and opportunities for improvement. The South Santiam plan was adopted in 2003 and recently underwent a biennial review.
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Fencing of riparian areas is one way to encourage streamside vegetation growth. | The goal of the South Santiam AgWQM plan is to limit water pollution from soil erosion and agricultural activities to achieve applicable water quality standards. In order to address stream temperature and near stream area issues the plan suggests: promoting site-appropriate riparian vegetation in order to minimize stream bank erosion and moderate solar heating, limit irrigation runoff, and to improve the watershed’s ability to capture, store, and release moisture to limit runoff. To address bacteria and nutrient issues in our surface water the plan suggests reducing contaminants in runoff from agricultural lands. The plan does not specify how each agricultural landowner comply with the plan, instead each owner or operator can decide which solutions best suit their operational needs.
Sound conservation practices are already being employed by many farmers and ranchers to protect water quality. Rotational grazing and manure storage are methods being used by confined animal feeding operations such as dairies. Nurseries are utilizing irrigation systems that return and recycle nutrient-laden water back to the plants. Innovative cropping strategies are being employed. A vegetative filter strip acts as a buffer between grazing livestock and a stream. Alternate watering sources are being used effectively to keep animals away from streams. Straw mulch and cover crops are being used in the field between rows, slowing water runoff and reducing both erosion and loss of nutrients.
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Lack of ground cover can contribute to gully formation and soil erosion.
| Education and technical assistance are the focus of efforts by Linn SWCD and ODA to implement the plan. There may be situations that require corrective action to be taken by operators. In those cases when an operator refuses to take action, the law allows ODA to use civil penalties, if necessary, to get things cleaned up. | 
Providing off-stream watering allows for restricting animal access to stream areas.
| Linn SWCD offers technical assistance to assist with bringing each property into compliance with the plan. There are also cost-share programs available to help both large and small owners and operators implement water quality changes to their operations.
More SWCD success stories
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