Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality: The role of USDA

1. Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality:The role of USDA Michael P. O’Neill Dale A. Bucks USDA- CSREES USDA-ARS

2. The Impact of Agriculture on Water Quality • Agriculture is the leading source of non-point source pollution in the United States. • “The glass is half empty” • Through research, education, technical and financial assistance, USDA helps agriculture become part of the solution. • “The glass is half full”

3. Non-Point Source (NPS) Definition Legal from the Clean Water Act . . . any source of water that does not meet the legal definition of point source

4. NPS Definition Descriptive Nonpoint Source pollution generally results from precipitation, land runoff, infiltration, drainage, seepage, hydrologic modification, or atmospheric deposition. As runoff from rainfall or snowmelt moves, it picks up and transports pollutants from human activity and from natural sources, ultimately depositing them into rivers, lakes, wetlands, coastal waters, and ground water.

5. Water Pathways

6. Top Impairments (reported by states)

7. Sediment Nutrients (N, P) Pesticides Pathogens Salinity Metals Temperature Habitat Loss Pharmaceuticals Impacts of Agriculture

9. $50 $60 $120 $600 $820 USDA RESEARCH FUNDS--2000 Other ERS FS CSREES ARS

10. Research Needs for Water Quality • Research at the watershed scale • Build upon the sound tradition of plot and field-based efforts • Research led by stakeholder involvement • Solving problems at the local level • Recognize and build upon regional differences

11. Research Activities • Agricultural Research Service (ARS) • Instrumented Watersheds • Field and Plot Investigations • Laboratory Studies • Economic Research Service (ERS) • Costs and Benefits of Programs and Practices • Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) • University Research

12. ARS Mission (Water Resources) • To develop innovative concepts for determining the movement of water and its associated constituents in agricultural landscapes and watersheds. • to develop new and improved practices, technologies, and strategies to manage the Nation's agricultural water resources. 

13. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) • Research Focus Area (Water Resources) • Agricultural Watershed Management • Water Quality Protection and Management • Irrigation and Drainage Management http://www.nps.ars.usda.gov/programs/programs.htm?NPNUMBER=201

14. Economic Research Service (ERS) • Research Focus Area: Harmony Between Agriculture and the Environment • Irrigation and Water Use • Conservation and Environmental Policy • Agricultural Chemicals and Production Technology http://www.ers.usda.gov/Emphases/Harmony/

15. Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) • Land Grant Universities (CSREES) • Basic and Applied Research • Watershed Scale Water Quality Investigations • Combining Research with Outreach/Extension Activities • Eight Research “Themes” http://www.usawaterquality.org

16. CSREES Research Themes • Animal Manure Management (AFO/CAFO) • Drinking Water and Human Health • Environmental Restoration (Aquatic and Riparian Habitat) • Nutrient and Pesticide Management • Pollution Assessment and Prevention • Watershed Management • Water Conservation and Agricultural Water Management • Water Economics and Policy

17. Understanding Nutrient Transport in an Intensively Cropped WatershedJames L. Baker, Iowa State Univ. SUMMARY Infiltration rate and degree of subsurface drainage, is critical in determining mode and amount of nutrient transport/loss.

18. Assessing Bacterial Loading in Estuarine Environments Nancy White, NC State Univ. MAR Results Resistant: Sensitive: Woodpecker Squirrel Septic Samples Raccoon Dog Cat Horse Bear Deer Hawk Duck Opossum

19. Education Needs for Water Quality • Place-based educational programs • Tailor programs to local environments • Connecting urban and rural audiences • Link urban consumers to food and fiber production • Education built upon “sound science” • Assure that educational materials reflect current state-of-the-science research and information

20. CSREES Water Program • The CSREES National Water Quality Program (www.usawaterquality.org) • State anchored, regionally coordinated, national coalition • Research, education, and extension practitioners from institutions across the United States and its territories • Focused on addressing issues related to the quality and quantity of the nation’s water resources.

21. www.usawaterquality.org

22. Education Materials Daniel Fagerlie Washington State Univ. Chet Arnold Univ. of Connecticut

23. Summary • Continued research at the watershed scale is needed to understand the complex interactions among pollution sources. • Locally relevant education programs that deliver state-of-the-science information are needed to sustain management practices that protect and improve water quality.

24. CSREES Mike O’Neill 202-205-5952 moneill@csrees.usda.gov Nancy Cavallaro 202-401-5176 ncavallaro@csrees.uda.gov ARS Dale Bucks 301-504-7034 dab@ars.usda.gov ERS Marc Ribaudo 202-694-5488 mribaudo@ers.usda.gov USDA National Program Contacts (Research & Education)