Comment Period Allows Farmers A Voice In Nutrient Management Law
Cover of the updated nutrient management technical
manual. This is used by nutrient management planners
and reviewers to write Act 6 plans.
This farmer along Rt. 283 in Lancaster County applies manure to his fields.
(Continued from Page A 37)
2004, according to Goodlander.
For farmers, this public review
process will give them the oppor
tunity to review the proposed
changes and share their thoughts
on how the regulations will work
on the farm.
To help farmers understand
the changes, the SCC and Penn
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 22, 2003-A39
State Cooperative Extension will
be on hand to assist farmers.
“The commission staff is avail
able to any group who wants us
to come out and talk about the
changes,” said Goodlander. “We
will be anywhere, any time, if
somebody wants us there to talk
about what we are proposing. At
this proposal stage, we would be
glad to talk to any group, so they
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could constructively comment on
it.”
The SCC is also planning to
conduct several public hearings
and meetings. The times for these
meetings has not been estab
lished.
Alyssa Dodd of Penn State Co
operative Extension said cooper
ative extension is preparing to
help farmers.
Penn State plans to
have an easy-to-under
stand publication about
the major changes under
the Act 6 and how to
submit comments for re
view.
Dodd stresses that
farmers need to take the
time to submit their
comments on the
changes.
“The regulations do
not change very often.
So, there is quite a long
period between when
people can comment
and really shape envi
ronmental policies thai
are affecting agricul
ture,” said Dodd. “It’s
an opportunity for peo
ple to voice their opinion
of their knowledge about
the subject that has not
been herd by policy
makers. Ultimately, they
can have an impact on
regulations in final
form.”
“This is their indus
try,” said Goodlander on
why farmers need to
comment. “It’s (Act 6)
the core base of what
Pennsylvania will use
for years in whether or
not farmers are properly
managing nutrients, not
just from the nutrient
management act pro
gram. DEP (Department
of Environmental Pro
tection) uses the same
nutrient management
plan as a base for num
ber of their permits,
such as CAFO permits.”
Goodlander also said
Act 6, when revised, will
serve as a reference in
USDA Natural Re
sources Conservation
Service (USDA-NRCS)
programs.
Goodlander said
fanner input is needed
to help the commission
see if the proposed regu
lations are “realistic and
reasonable” for agricul
ture. Non-agriculture
citizens groups also will
be looking at the regula
tions.
“I would say to the in
dustry, even if they
would support what we
are doing in these areas
that even if they think
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