Rice Production Rice Production Best Management Practices (BMPs)

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RICE RICE endorsed by Rice Production Rice Production B B Best M M Management P P P ractices (BMPs)

Transcript of Rice Production Rice Production Best Management Practices (BMPs)

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

WHY BMPS ARE

IMPORTANT TO LOUISIANA

In Louisiana we are blessed with beautiful and

abundant waters to enjoy fishing, hunting, boating or justrelaxing on the shore of a lake, river or bayou. Most ofthe water in Louisiana’s rivers and lakes comes fromrainfall runoff. As this runoff travels across the soil sur-face, it carries with it soil particles, organic matter andnutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Agriculturalactivities contribute to the amount of these materialsentering streams, lakes, estuaries and groundwater. Inaddition to assuring an abundant, affordable food supply,Louisiana farmers must strive to protect the environ-ment.

Research and educational programs on environ-mental issues related to the use and management ofnatural resources have always been an important part ofthe LSU AgCenter’s mission. Working with representa-tives from the agricultural commodity groups, the Natu-ral Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Louisi-ana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), theLouisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) and the Loui-siana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF),the LSU AgCenter has taken the lead in assembling agroup of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for eachagricultural commodity in Louisiana.

BMPs are used by agricultural producers tocontrol the generation or delivery of pollutants fromagricultural activities to water resources of the state,thereby preventing degradation of surface and ground-water.

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Introduction ......................... 3

Site Selection ....................... 4

Sediment Management inSurface Water ..................... 5

Pesticide Management andPesticides ............................ 14

Nutrient Management ..... 19

General Farm BMPs ......... 25

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riceBMPs

INTRODUCTION

Rice is one of the mostimportant crops produced inLouisiana with regard to bothtotal acreage grown and for itseconomic value. Production hasexpanded from the traditionalrice-producing area of southwest-ern Louisiana to other areas ofLouisiana, especially the north-eastern portion. Rice acreage hasfluctuated in Louisiana in recentyears from a high of 620,000acres in 1994 to a low of 518,000acres in 1991. Much of thisfluctuation has been caused byfarm policy programs and worldmarket economics that directlyaffect the price received byLouisiana producers.

The loss of soil, plantnutrients and crop protectionproducts, such as pesticides,from cropland has been identi-fied as a significant environmen-tal problem. This guide describesthe conservation measures or

Best Management Practices(BMPs) for rice productionimplemented primarily for thepurpose of conserving andprotecting soil and water re-sources by controlling the move-ment of potential agriculturalpollutants into surface andgroundwater. They may, however,in addition to protecting theenvironment in many cases,enhance yields, wildlife habitats,improve overall production andprovide for sustainability of soilproductivity and a continuedsupply of water of suitablequality.

References are made tospecific Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS)production codes, which areexplained in the text of thisdocument. More detailed infor-mation about these practices canbe found in the NRCS FieldOffice Technical Guide (FOTG).

The FOTG can be found in allSoil and Water Conservationdistrict offices and all NRCSfield offices or on the NRCS webpage. These BMPs also aredescribed in the Rice ProductionHandbook published by the LSUAgricultural Center. Additionally,under voluntary participation bythe producer, technical assistanceto develop and implement afarm-specific conservation planis available through the Conser-vation Districts, NRCS fieldoffices and LSU AgCenter parishoffices.

The potential for degrada-tion of surface waters is greatestfollowing land preparation, landleveling and conventional waterplanting. Measures to reduce thepotential adverse effects of theseactivities on surface waters arediscussed in detail.

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Because rice is grown underflooded conditions, it is bestproduced on land that is nearlylevel, minimizing the number ofwater-retaining barriers or leveesrequired. Some slope is requiredto facilitate adequate drainage.Generally slopes of less than 1percent are necessary for ad-equate water management. Mostof Louisiana’s rice-growing areasare well suited for rice produc-tion with a minimum of landforming. Recent innovationsusing laser systems have madeprecision leveled or graded fieldsphysically and economicallyfeasible (NRCS code 462).

Precision grading of fieldsto a slope of 0.2 foot or lesschange in elevation betweenlevees is important in rice pro-duction for the following rea-sons:

1. permits uniform flood depth

2. may eliminate a large numberof levees

3. facilitates rapid irrigation anddrainage

4. can lead to the use of straight,parallel levees that willincrease machine efficiency

5. eliminates knolls and potholesthat may cause delay offlood or less than optimumweed control

6. reduces the total amount ofwater necessary for irrigation

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Precision landleveling

Parallel levees

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SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT INSURFACE WATER

Field PreparationThe following are soil and

water management practices touse to reduce the amount ofsediment leaving the rice field inthe irrigation water, therebyreducing soil loss from the fields(NRCS code 746). The methodsused on your farm will depend onweather conditions, level of redrice infestation, soil type androtational crops.

In fields that require waterleveling in the spring, the irriga-tion water will be retained in thefield to allow for the suspendedsediment to settle before release.The “Suspended Sediment Test

Kit” developed by the LSUAgCenter or other approvedmethods of measuring suspendedsediment will be used to timeplanting and water release tominimize soil loss. These kits areavailable at your parish LSUAgCenter Extension Serviceoffice.

The kits are very simple touse. A sample of the floodwateris taken 24 hours after waterleveling. Take the sample fromseveral places in the field andplace in a bucket. Next, put asample from the bucket into thetest kit bottle. Add a pinch ofalum (provided in the kit) to thesample in the test bottle, andshake the bottle to mix the alumwith the water. Then place thebottle where it will not be dis-turbed for 24 hours. The sus-pended sediment will settle to thebottom of the bottle. After 24hours, measure the depth of thesediment in the bottle. This is thestarting measurement. Additionalsamples are then taken at two- orthree-day intervals, using thesame procedure. The goal is toreduce the amount of suspendedsediment by at least 50 percentbefore releasing the floodwater.For most rice growers, this meansholding the floodwater for aboutseven to 14 days. By using thekits, the rice grower can timeplanting and water release tominimize soil loss.

In fields that need extensivewater leveling, the work shouldbe done in the fall and the waterheld as described above to allowfor settling. Water may be heldduring the winter if desired(NRCS code 644). Holding thewater over the winter also willcreate additional wetland habitatfor waterfowl, furbearers andother wildlife.

Water needed for eachirrigation application shall beapplied in the most efficientmanner (NRCS code 449). Waterwill be applied at a rate and insuch a manner that it will notcause excessive soil and waterloss. Installation of Structures forWater Control (NRCS code 587)and Grade Stabilization Struc-tures (NRCS code 410) willfacilitate water application andrelease. Grade stabilizationstructures (such as pipe drops orother approved devices) will beinstalled and maintained toreduce erosion.

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Using thesuspendedsedimenttest kit

Efficient application of floodwater

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Irrigation Land Leveling(NRCS Code 464)The reshaping of the surface of the land that is tobe irrigated to planned grades. The purpose is toallow for efficient application of irrigation waterwithout causing erosion, loss of water quality ordamage to land by waterlogging and at the sametime to provide for adequate surface drainage.

Land Smoothing(NRCS Code 466)The removing of irregularities on the land surfaceby use of special equipment. This improvessurface drainage, provides for more effective useof precipitation, obtains more uniform plantingdepths, provides for more uniform cultivation,improves equipment operation and efficiency,improves terrace alignment and facilitates con-tour cultivation.

Regulating Water in Drainage System(NRCS Code 554)Controlling the removal of surface runoff, primarily through theoperation of water control structures. It is designed to conservesurface water by controlling the outflow from drainage systems.

Surface Drainage - Field Ditch(NRCS Code 607)A graded ditch for collecting excess water in a field or forirrigation water drainage. This practice intercepts or collectssurface water and carries it to an outlet.

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Precision Land Forming(NRCS Code 462)Reshaping the surface of the land to planned grades. It improves surface drainage, provides formore effective use of rainfall, facilitates the installation of more workable drainage systems,reduces the incidence of mosquito infestation, controls erosion, improves water quality and pre-vents damage to land by waterlogging.

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The following conservationpractices apply to riceproduction.

The practice and the NRCSproduction code are listed.

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Irrigation Canal or Lateral(NRCS Code 320)A permanent irrigation canal or lateral constructed to conveywater from the source of supply to one or more farms. Theconservation objectives are to prevent erosion or degradationof water quality or damage to land, to make possible properwater use and to convey water efficiently.

Irrigation Field Ditch(NRCS Code 388)A permanent irrigation ditch constructed to convey waterfrom the source to a field or fields in a farm distributionsystem. It is designed to prevent erosion or loss of waterquality or damage to the land, to make possible proper irriga-tion water use and efficiently convey water.

Controlled Drainage(NRCS Code 335)The control of surface water through the use of drainagefacilities and water control structures. Its purpose is to con-serve water and maintain optimum soil moisture. It is de-signed to store and manage rainfall for more efficient cropproduction. It improves surface water quality by increasinginfiltration, thereby reducing runoff that may carry sedimentinto nearby water bodies.

Lined Waterway or Outlet(NRCS Code 468)A waterway or outlet having an erosion-resistant lining ofconcrete, stone or other permanent material. The lined sectionextends up the side slopes of the outlet. It provides for effi-cient flow of runoff without damage from erosion.

Open Channel(NRCS Code 582)The constructing or improving of a channel, either natural orartificial, in which water flows with a free surface. It providesdischarge capacity required for flood prevention, drainage ora combination of these purposes.

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Filter Strips(NRCS Code 393)These are strips or areas of vegetation for removing sedi-ment and other pollutants from runoff. The area is on thelower edge of fields or above conservation practices such asterraces or diversions, or on fields adjacent to streams,ponds and lakes.

Tailwater Recovery(NRCS Code 447)This is a facility to collect, store and transport irrigationtailwater to reuse in a farm irrigation distribution system. Itis designed to conserve irrigation water supplies andimprove water quality by collecting discharge water forreuse.

Field Borders(NRCS Code 386)These are strips of perennial vegetation established at theedge of a field. A field border controls erosion and protectsedges of fields that are used as “turnrows” or travel lanes forfarm machinery.

Grassed Waterways(NRCS Code 412)These are natural or constructed channels that are shaped orgraded to required dimensions and established in suitablevegetation for the stable conveyance of runoff. They aredesigned to convey runoff without causing erosion or flood-ing and to improve water quality.

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For more information on these practicesand how to implement them, contact your local

NRCS or Conservation District office.

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Planting MethodsS

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Water seeding is the predominant methodof rice seeding used in Louisiana. It is widelyused in southwestern Louisiana and, to alesser extent, in the northern portion of thestate.

Using a water-seeding system is anexcellent cultural control method of red riceand also is the primary reason for the popularity of this system inSouth Louisiana. Water seeding is sometimes an alternative plantingoperation when excessive rainfall prevents dry planting methods.

Alternative planting methods will be used to reduce sedimentloading and reduce soil loss. Methods used will depend on weather

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conditions, level of red riceinfestation, soil type and rota-tional crops. The plantingmethod(s) used will be chosenfrom these options.

Sowing of dry or soaked seed into a flooded field.Usually implemented for any or all of the following reasons: red rice control,

wet planting season, planting efficiency and earlier crop maturity.

To reduce the possibility of seeddrift, a grooving implement canbe used. The result is a seedbedwith grooves 1 to 2 inches deepon 7- to 10-inch centers. In somecases, a field cultivator can do anacceptable job. The shallowgrooves provide a depression forthe seed to fall into and givesome protection from waveaction.

ADVANTAGES• Less wear and tear on equipment• Possibility of less labor• Possibility of reduced water mold• Decreases the amount of suspended sediment in the floodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weed control, especially with red rice andaquatics• Increases possibility of seed drift• Difficult to prepare seedbed in wet spring

DRY SEEDBED seedbed prepareddry before flood establishment (clearwater planting).

Prepare a dry seedbed in the spring, closelevees immediately and apply floodwater.

Plant rice and release clear water.

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ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear on equipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Decreases the amount of suspended sediment inthe floodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weedcontrol• Increases chance of poor standestablishment• May increase use of herbicides

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ADVANTAGES• Helps to control red rice• Should provide a more level seedbed• Should reduce amount of existing vegetation• Reduces seed drift

DISADVANTAGES• Increases equipment and labor cost• Difficult to maintain levees during the time neededfor sediment to settle• Unless the floodwater is held in the field to allowfor settling, increased soil loss from the field willoccur

FLOODED SEEDBED(with water retention) -seedbed prepared following floodestablishment (mudding in).

Close levees and flood the field; water level thefield; the floodwater must be held in the field after allwater leveling or other mechanical soil-disturbingactivities have been conducted to allow for settling ofsuspended materials, plant rice and release floodwa-ter.

Because red rice and commercial rice are soclosely related genetically, herbicides that control redrice will generally kill commercial rice. Water man-agement alone can often effectively suppress red riceand reduce competition. Presence of red rice man-dates that rice be produced in a water-seeded system.Uniform, level seedbeds are critical for success. Inthis system, a flood is established with the rice seedbeing seeded directly into the floodwater. Beforeflying on the rice seed, till the field to muddy thewater and kill germinated red rice that would other-wise emerge through the clear water. The floodwateris then released and rice seedlings are allowed to peginto the soil. If this planting method is used, however,the procedures described in the “Field Preparation”section on page 5 must be followed to reduce theamount of sediment leaving the field in the floodwa-ter.

SPRING STALE SEEDBEDseedbed prepared dry followed byestablishment of native vegetation,usually three to six weeks preplant.May require application of preplantburndown herbicides before flooding.

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ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear onequipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Decreases the amount ofsuspended sediment in thefloodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weedcontrol• Increases chance of poorstand establishment• May increase use ofherbicides

ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear on equipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Decreases the amount of suspended sediment in thefloodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weed control• Increases chance of poor stand establishment• May increase use of herbicides

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FALL STALE SEEDBEDseedbed prepared dryfollowed byestablishment of nativevegetation, usually fourto five months preplant.May require applicationof preplant burndownherbicides beforeflooding.

NO-TILLplanting into either previous crop residue,native vegetation or existing crawfish pondswithout any soil disturbance. Usually requiresapplication of preplant burndown herbicidebefore planting.

Maintain previous crop residue on the soil surface, applya recommended herbicide before planting to kill volunteervegetation, close levees and apply floodwater, hold water untilrice is planted. No disking of residue, water leveling or any othermechanical soil-disturbing activity is allowed.

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Dry Plantingsowing seed into a dry seedbed (drilling or broadcasting).

CONVENTIONAL SEEDBEDmechanical seedbed preparationimmediately before planting.

ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear on equipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Decreases the amount of suspended sedimentin the floodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weed control• Increases chance of poor standestablishment• May increase use of herbicides

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ADVANTAGES• Less wear on equipment• Lower seed requirements• Less intensively managed (water management)• Timely planting• More flexibility of planting

DISADVANTAGES• Weather dependent• Planting requires more time

FALL STALE SEEDBEDseedbed prepared dryfollowed byestablishment of nativevegetation, usually fourto five months preplant.May require applicationof preplant burndownherbicides beforeflooding.

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SPRING STALE SEEDBEDseedbed prepared dry followed byestablishment of native vegetation,usually three to six weeks preplant.May require application of preplantburndown herbicides.

NO-TILLplanting into eitherprevious crop residue,native vegetation orexisting crawfish pondswithout any soildisturbance.Usually requiresapplication of preplantburndown herbicidebefore planting.

ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear onequipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Decreases the amount ofsuspended sediment in thefloodwater

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weedcontrol• Increases chance of poor standestablishment• May increase use of herbicides

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Maintain previous cropresidue on the soil surface, applya recommended herbicide beforeplanting to kill volunteer vegeta-tion. No disking of residue, waterleveling or any other mechanicalsoil-disturbing activity is done.

Research is beingconducted on the develop-ment of herbicide-resistantrice varieties. The potentialenvironmental benefits fromusing these varieties will besubstantial. If these varietiesare approved for use, theywill alter the methods ofplanting rice that we usetoday. They will give ricegrowers a better method ofcontrolling red rice, and thecultural practices used todayfor controlling red rice willnot be needed as extensively.

ADVANTAGES• Uses less water• Reduces use and wear on equipment• Reduces labor• Lower input cost possible• Timely planting• More flexibility of planting

DISADVANTAGES• Possibility of reduced weed control• Increases chance of poor stand establishment• May increase use of herbicides

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Pesticides can directly entergroundwater by spills around poorlyconstructed or sealed wells, or wellswith improper casting, or by back-siphoning during spray tank filling.

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ANDANDANDANDAND P P P P PESTESTESTESTESTICIDESICIDESICIDESICIDESICIDES

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IntroductionTo preserve the availability of

clean and environmentally safe waterin Louisiana, contamination ofsurface and groundwater by allagricultural and industrial chemicalsmust be prevented. Some sources ofcontamination are easily recognizablefrom a single, specific location. Othersources are more difficult to pinpoint.This is called nonpoint source pollu-tion. Nonpoint source pollution ofwater with pesticides is caused byrainfall runoff, particle drift or perco-lation of water through the soil. Pestmanagement practices will be basedon current research and extensionrecommendations. By using theserecommendations, you will followenvironmentally sound guidelines forpesticide usage.

Pest Management ProceduresPesticides will be applied only when they are necessary for the protection of

the crop. The pesticide will be chosen following guidelines to assure that the onechosen will give the most effective pest control with the least potential adverseeffects on the environment.

Water quality, both surface and ground, will be protected by following all ofthe label recommendations and guidelines dealing with waterquality.

All label statements and use directions designed specifi-cally to protect groundwater will be followed closely.

Specific Best Management Practices designed to protectsurface water will be closely followed.

Erosion control practices (such as pipe drops, etc.) willbe used to minimize runoff that could carry soil particles withadsorbed pesticides and/or dissolved pesticides into surfacewaters.

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Pesticides can directly entergroundwater by spills around poorlyconstructed or sealed wells, or wellswith improper casting, or by back-siphoning during spray tank filling.

Rainfall runoffwill also movepesticides acrossthe soil surface.

Rain or irrigationstarts pesticidesmoving into andthrough soil.

Soil-incorporatedsystemic pesticide

Pesticide is carriedinto and throughsoil. Movementthrough soil isaffected by soil andpesticideproperties andamount andtiming of water.Pesticide residueand by-productsnot absorbed arebroken down intothe groundwater.

Groundwater flow

Movement withgroundwater –additionalbreakdowngenerally slowed,but depends onchemical nature andgroundwater.

Pesticide is taken upby plants, brokendown by organisms,sunlight or chemicalreactions.

WATER TABLE

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PesticideApplication

Management practices suchas the pesticide selected, theapplication method, the pesticiderate used and the applicationtiming influence pesticide move-ment. Pesticides should beapplied only when needed toprevent economic loss of a crop.

Using chemicals at ratesabove those specified by thelabel is ILLEGAL and an envi-ronmental hazard because morepesticide is exposed to erosion,runoff or leaching. In pesticideapplication, “the label is thelaw.” Poor timing of a pesticideapplication also can result inpesticide movement into watersources, as well as give littlecontrol of the targeted pest.

Certain areas on your farmsuch as streams and rivers,wellheads and lakes or ponds aresensitive to pesticides. Youshould create around these areasbuffer zones where pesticide usewill be reduced or eliminated. Bybuffering these areas, you mayreduce water quality problems.Areas such as roads, off-sitedwellings and areas of publicgatherings should be identified.You may want to limit the use ofpesticides near these types ofareas, too.

These practices will be followed: Select the pesticide to

give the best results with the leastpotential environmental impactoutside the spray area.

Select with care andcarefully maintain applicationequipment.

Carefully calibrate theapplication equipment at thebeginning of the spray season andperiodically thereafter. Sprayaccording to recommendations.

Minimize spray drift byfollowing the label instructionsand all rules and regulationsdeveloped to minimize spray drift(the physical movement of spray particles at the time of orshortly after application).

Before applying a pesticide, make an assessment ofall of the environmental factors involved in allof the area surrounding the application site.

Carefully maintain records of allpesticide applications, not just a record ofRestricted Use Pesticides.

Pesticide SelectionWhen selecting pesticides, a farmer should consider

chemical solubility, adsorption, volatility and degradationcharacteristics. Chemicals that dissolve in water readilycan leach through soil to groundwater or be carried tosurface waters in rainfall or irrigation runoff. Somechemicals hold tightly to, or are adsorbed on, soil par-ticles, and do not leach as much. But even these chemi-cals can move with sediment when soil erodes duringheavy rainfall. Runoff entering surface waters mayultimately recharge groundwater reserves. Chemicals thatare bound to soil particles and organic matter are subjectto the forces of leaching, erosion or runoff over a longerperiod, thus increasing the potential for water pollution.

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Unsaturated zone

WATER TABLEGroundwaterSaturated zone

Rainfall runoff

The water tableseparates theunsaturated zonefrom the saturatedzone (groundwater)

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These practices will be followed:

Selection will be based upon recommendations by qualifiedconsultants, crop advisors and upon the published recommendationsof the LSU AgCenter, Cooperative Extension Service.

The selection of the pesticide to be used will be based upon itsregistered uses and its ability to give the quality of pest controlrequired

The selection also will be based upon its impact onbeneficials, other non-target organisms and on the general environ-ment.

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Exceptions forFarmers

Farmers disposing of usedpesticidecontainers fortheir own useare not requiredto comply withthe require-ments of thehazardouswaste regula-tions provided that they triplerinse or pressure wash eachcontainer and dispose of theresidues on their own farms in amanner consistent with thedisposal instructions on thepesticide label.Note thatdisposal ofpesticideresidues intowater or wherethey are likelyto reach surfaceor groundwatermay be considered a source ofpollution under the Clean WaterAct or the Safe Drinking WaterAct and therefore illegal.

After the triple rinse proce-dure, the containers are then“empty” and the farmer candiscard them in a sanitary wastesite without further regard to thehazardous waste regulations. Theempty containers are still subjectto any disposal instructionscontained within the labeling ofthe product, however. Disposal ina manner “inconsistent with thelabeling instructions” is a viola-tion of EPA guidelines and couldlead to contamination of water,soil or persons and legal liability.

stored in an area susceptible toflooding or where the character-istics of the soil at the site wouldallow escaped chemicals topercolate into groundwater.Storage facilities should be dry,well ventilated and should beprovided with fire protectionequipment. All stored pesticidesshould be carefully labeled andsegregated and stored off of theground. Do not store pesticidesin the same area as animal feed.The facility should be keptlocked when not in use. Furtherprecautions include appropriatewarning signs and regular inspec-tion of containers for corrosionor leakage. Protective clothingshould be stored close by but notin the same room as the pesti-cides because they may becomecontaminated. Decontaminationequipment should be presentwhere highly toxic pesticides arestored.

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Farmers and commer-cial pesticide applicatorsare subject to penalties if theyfail to store or dispose of pesti-cides and pesticide containersproperly. Each registered pesti-cide product, whether general orrestricted use, contains briefinstructions about storage anddisposal in its labeling. TheLouisiana Pesticide Law ad-dresses specific requirements forstorage and disposal. The appli-cator must follow these require-ments carefully and ensure thatemployees follow them as well.

The recommended proce-dures do not apply to the disposalof single containers of pesticidesregistered for use in the homeand garden, which may be dis-posed of during municipal wastecollection if wrapped accordingto recommendations.

Storage sites should becarefully chosen to minimize thechance of escape into the envi-ronment. Pesticides should not be

Pesticidestorage shed

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Emergency Planningand CommunityRight-to-Know

Agricultural Chemicals and Worker Safety

The EPA has general author-ity to regulate pesticide use inorder to minimize risks to humanhealth and theenvironment.This authorityextends to theprotection offarm workersexposed to pesticides. All em-ployers must comply with ALLinstructions of the Worker Pro-tection Standard concerningworker safety or be subject topenalties. Labels may include,for example, instructions requir-ing the wearing of protectiveclothing, handling instructions

and instruc-tions setting aperiod of timebefore work-ers are al-lowed to re-

enter fields after the applicationof pesticides (Restricted EntryInterval).

Employers should also readthe Worker Protection Standardregulations governing the use ofand exposure to pesticides. Therule sets forth minimum stan-dards for the protection of farmworkers and pesticide handlersthat must be followed. The

regulations include standardsrequiring oral warnings andposting of areas where pesticideshave been used, training for allhandlers and early re-entryworkers, personal protectiveequipment, emergency transpor-tation anddecontami-nationequipment.

TheEPA regula-tions hold the producer of theagricultural plant on a farm,forest, nursery or greenhouseultimately responsible for com-pliance with the worker safetystandards. This means the land-owner must ensure complianceby all employees and by allindependent contractors workingon the property. Contractors andemployees also may be heldresponsible for failure to followthe regulations.

TheOccupationalSafety AndHealth Act(OSHA)

The federal govern-ment also regulates farmemployee safety under theOccupational Safety andHealth Act (OSHA).OSHA applies to allpersons (employers)engaged in businessaffecting interstate com-merce. The federal courtshave decided that allfarming and ranchingoperations affect interstatecommerce in some respect,regardless of where goodsare produced, sold orconsumed, and thus aresubject to OSHA’s require-ments. In general, everyemployer has a duty toprovide employees with anenvironment free fromhazards that are causing orare likely to cause death orserious injury.

Farms that use pesticides may be “facilities” subject to thenotification requirements of the law. Notification also is requiredfor emergency releases of hazardous chemicals. Proper applicationof pesticides is not covered under this law. The community right-to-know provisions of the act require that material safety datasheets required under OSHA, as well as documents showing thelocation and amount of chemicals present at the facility (if thequantity exceeds the “reportable quantity”), be provided to thestate and local emergency planning bodies and to the local firedepartment.

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In SummaryA. All label directions will be

read, understood and followed.

B. The Louisiana Departmentof Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF)is responsible for the certification ofpesticide applicators. All pesticideapplicators in Louisiana mustsuccessfully complete a certificationtest administered by the LDAF. TheLSU AgCenter conducts trainingsessions and publishes study guidesin various categories covered by thetest. Contact your county agent fordates and times of these trainings.

C. All requirements of theWorker Protection Standard (WPS)will be followed, including, but notlimited to:

• Notifying workers of apesticide application (either oral orposting of the field), abiding by therestricted entry interval (REI).

• Maintaining a centralnotification area containing thesafety poster; the name, address andtelephone number of the nearestemergency medical facility; and alist of the pesticide applicationsmade within the last 30 days thathave an REI.

• Maintaining a decontami-nation site for workers and han-dlers.

• Furnishing the appropriatepersonal protective equipment(PPE) to all handlers and earlyentry workers, and ensuring thatthey understand how and why theyshould use it.

• Assuring that all employ-ees required to be trained under theWorker Protection Standard haveundergone the required training.

D. Pesticides will be stored ina secure, locked enclosure and in acontainer free of leaks, abiding byany specific recommendations on thelabel. The storage area must bemaintained in good condition,without unnecessary debris. This

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ESenclosure will be at least 150 feetaway and down slope from anywater wells.

E. All uncontained pesticidespills of more than one gallon liquidor four pounds dry weight will bereported to the director of Pesticideand Environmental Programs,Louisiana Department of Agricultureand Forestry within 24 hours bytelephone (225-925-3763) and bywritten notice within three days.Spills on public roadways will bereported to the Louisiana Depart-ment of Transportation and Develop-ment. Spills into navigable waterswill be reported to DEQ, CoastGuard, USEPA.

F. Empty metal, glass orplastic pesticide containers will beeither triple rinsed or pressurewashed, and the rinsate will beadded to the spray solution to dilutethe solution at the time or stored,according to the LDAF rules, to beused later. Rinsed pesticide contain-ers will be punctured, crushed orotherwise rendered unusable anddisposed of in a sanitary landfill.(Plastic containers may be taken tospecific pesticide container recyclingevents. Contact your county agentfor dates and locations in your area.)

G. All pesticides will beremoved from paper and plastic bagsto the fullest extent possible. Thesides of the container will be cut andopened fully, without folds orcrevices, on a flat surface; any

pesticides remaining in the openedcontainer will be transferred into thespray mix. After this procedure, thecontainers will be disposed of in asanitary landfill.

H. Application equipment willbe triple rinsed and the rinsateapplied to the original applicationsite or stored for later use to dilute aspray solution.

I. Mix/load or wash pads(NRCS production code Interim)will be located at least 150 feet awayand down slope from any waterwells and away from surface watersources such as ponds, streams, etc.

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Wash pad with collection pond

This...backflowprotection

...Not Thischemicalssiphoned backinto water supply

The pads will be constructed of animpervious material, and there willbe a system for collecting and/orstoring the runoff.

J. Empty containers will notbe kept for more than 90 days afterthe end of the spray season.

K. Air gaps will be maintainedwhile filling the spray tank toprevent back-siphoning.

Air gap

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NNNNNUTUTUTUTUTRIENTRIENTRIENTRIENTRIENT M M M M MANAGEMENTANAGEMENTANAGEMENTANAGEMENTANAGEMENT

IntroductionA sound soil fertility pro-

gram is the foundation uponwhich a profitable farmingbusiness must be built. Agricul-tural fertilizers are a necessity forproducing abundant, high qualityfood, feed and fiber crops. Usingfertilizer nutrients in the properamounts and applying themcorrectly are both economicallyand environmentally important tothe long-term profitability andsustainability of crop production.The fertilizer nutrients that havepotential to become groundwateror surface water pollutants arenitrogen and phosphorus. Ingeneral, other commonly usedfertilizer nutrients do not causeconcern as pollutants.

Because erosion and runoffare the two major ways nonpoint-source pollutants move intosurface water resources, practicesthat reduce erosion or runoff are

considered Best ManagementPractices (BMPs). Similarly,practices that limit the buildup ofnutrients in the soil, which canleach to groundwater or bepicked up in runoff, and practicesthat ensure the safe use of agri-cultural chemicals also areconsidered BMPs. In general,soil conservation and waterquality protection are mutuallybeneficial; therefore the BMPsdescribed here are the best meansof reducing agricultural nonpointsource pollution resulting fromfertilizer nutrients.

NitrogenNitrogen (N) is a part of all

plant and animal proteins. There-fore, human survival depends onan abundant supply of N innature. Approximately 80 percentof the atmosphere is nitrogengas, but most plants cannot usethis form of nitrogen. Supple-mental nitrogen must suppliedthrough the soil. A crop wellsupplied with N can producesubstantially higher yields, onthe same amount of water, thanone deficient in N. Properlyfertilized crops use both N andwater more efficiently, thusimproving environmental qualityand profitability.

Supplemental N will benecessary on almost all non-legume crops in Louisiana formaximum profits. Rely on Nrecommendations based onLouisiana research. These recom-mendations take into accountmaximum economic yield poten-tials, crop variety, soil texture

and area of the state. Nitrogenrecommendations from the LSUAgCenter are usually ample toprovide optimum economicyields.

Decomposition of organicmatter results in simpler inor-ganic N forms such as ammo-nium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-).These are soluble in soil waterand readily available for plantuptake. The ammonium form isattracted to and held by soilparticles, so it does not readilyleach through the soil withrainfall or irrigation water.Nitrates, on the other hand, arenot attached to soil particles anddo move downward with soilwater and can be leached intogroundwater or run off intosurface waters.

Excessive nitrate concentra-tions in water can acceleratealgae and plant growth instreams and lakes, resulting inoxygen depletion. Nitrate con-centrations above a certain levelin drinking water may injuresome animals or human infants.

PhosphorusPhosphorus (P), like nitro-

gen, is essential for plant growth.Naturally occurring P exists in aphosphate form either as solubleinorganic phosphate, solublephosphate, particulate phosphateor mineral phosphate. The min-eral forms of phosphorus (cal-cium, iron and aluminum phos-phates) are low in solubility. Theamount of these elements (cal-cium, iron and aluminum)

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present in reactive forms varieswith different soils and soilconditions. They determine theamount of phosphorus that canbe fixed in the soil.

The immediate source ofphosphorus for plants is thatwhich is dissolved in the soilsolution. A soil solution contain-ing only a few parts per millionof phosphate is usually consid-ered adequate for plant growth.Phosphate is absorbed from thesoil solution and used by plants.It is replaced in the soil solutionby soil minerals, soil organicmatter decomposition or appliedfertilizers.

Phosphate is not readilysoluble. Most of the ions areeither used by living plants oradsorbed to sediment, so thepotential of their leaching togroundwater is low. That portionof phosphate bound to sediment

particles is virtuallyunavailable to livingorganisms, but be-comes available as itdetaches from sedi-ment. Only a small partof the phosphatemoved with sedimentinto surface water isimmediately availableto aquatic organisms.Additional phosphate canslowly become available throughbiochemical reactions, however.The slow release of largeamounts of phosphate fromsediment layers in lakes andstreams could cause excessivealgae blooms and excessivegrowth of plants, thereby affect-ing water quality.

Nutrients will be used toobtain optimum crop yieldswhile minimizing the movementof nutrients to surface and

Nutrient Application Rates

groundwater (NRCS ProductionCode 590). A nutrient manage-ment plan should be developedfor the proposed crop by usingsoil analyses from approvedlaboratories.

Nutrient application rateswill be based on the results of asoil analysis. Select only thosematerials recommended for useby qualified individuals from theLouisiana Cooperative ExtensionService, Louisiana AgriculturalExperiment Station, certifiedcrop advisors, certified agricul-tural consultants and/or pub-lished LSU AgCenter data.

Soil testing is the founda-tion of a sound nutrient man-agement program.

A soil test is a series ofchemical analyses on soil thatestimates whether levels ofessential plant nutrients aresufficient to produce a desiredcrop and yield. When not takenup by a crop, some nutrients,particularly nitrogen, can be lostfrom the soil by leaching, runoffor mineralization. Others, likephosphorus, react with soilminerals over time to formcompounds that are not availablefor uptake by plants. Soil testing

can be used to estimate howmuch loss has occurred andpredict which nutrient(s) andhow much of that nutrient(s)should be added to produce aparticular crop and yield. Takesoil tests at least every threeyears or at the beginning of adifferent cropping rotation.

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Algae bloom

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Recommended Practices1. Soil test for nutrient status andpH to:

• determine the amounts of additionalnutrients needed to reach designated yield goalsand the amount of lime needed to correct soilacidity problems

• optimize farm income by avoiding exces-sive fertilization and reducing nutrient losses byleaching and runoff

• identify other yield-limiting factors suchas high levels of salts or sodium that may affectsoil structure, infiltration rates, surface runoffand, ultimately, groundwater quality

2. Base fertilizer applications on:• soil test results• realistic yield goals and moisture pros-

pects• crop nutrient requirements• past fertilization practices• previous cropping history

3. Manage low soil pH by limingaccording to the soil test to:

• reduce soil acidity• improve fertilizer use efficiency• improve decomposition of crop residues• enhance the effectiveness of certain soil-

applied herbicides

4. Time nitrogen applications to:• correspond closely with crop uptake

patterns• increase nutrient use efficiency• minimize leaching and runoff losses

5. Inject fertilizers or incorporatesurface applications when possibleto:

• increase accessibility of fertilizer nutrientsto plant roots

• reduce volatilization losses of ammonia Nsources

• reduce nutrient losses from erosion andrunoff

6. Use animal manures and organicmaterials:

• when available and economically feasible• to improve soil tilth, water-holding

capacity and soil structures• to recycle nutrients and reduce the need

for commercial inorganic fertilizers

7. Rotate crops when feasible to:• improve total nutrient recovery with

different crop rooting patterns• reduce erosion and runoff• reduce diseases, insects and weeds

8. Use legumes where adapted to:• replace part or all of crop needs for

commercial N fertilizer• reduce erosion and nutrient losses• maintain residue cover on the soil surface

9. Control nutrient losses inerosion and runoff by:

• using appropriate structural controls• adopting conservation tillage practices

where appropriate• properly managing crop residues• land leveling• implementing other soil and water con-

servation practices where possible• using filter strips

10. Skillfully handle and applyfertilizer by:

• properly calibrating and maintainingapplication equipment

• properly cleaning equipment anddisposing of excess fertilizers, containers andwash water

• storing fertilizers in a safe place

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Nutrient Management Plans(NMPs)

important to understand for yourfarming operation.

Another important part of asuccessful NMP are BMPs.BMPs, such as soil testing, helpyou select the right nutrient rateand application strategy so thatcrops use nutrients efficiently.This not only reduces nutrientlosses and protects the environ-ment but also increases farmprofitability. BMPs may includemanaging the farm to reduce soilerosion and improve soil tilththrough conservation tillage,planting cover crops to useexcess nutrients or using filterstrips and buffers to protect waterquality.

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Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and theU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are encouraging a voluntaryapproach to handling nonpoint source issues related to agriculture.

The implementation of Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs) byall agricultural producers will ensure that fertilizers are managed inan environmentally friendly fashion.

Developing a Nutrient Management PlanA nutrient management plan (NMP) is a strategy for making

wise use of plant nutrients to enhance farm profits while protectingwater resources. It is a plan that looks at every part of your farmingoperation and helps you make the best use of manures, fertilizers andother nutrient sources. Successful nutrient management requiresthorough planning and recognizes that every farm is different. Thetype of farming you do and the specifics of your operation will affectyour NMP. The best NMP is one that is matched to the farmingoperation and the needs of the person implementing the plan.

The Parts of an NMPAn NMP looks at how nutrients are used and managed through-

out the farm. It is more than a nutrient management plan that looksonly at nutrient supply and needs for a particular field. Nutrients arebrought to the farm through feeds, fertilizers,animal manures and other off-farm inputs. Theseinputs are used, and some are recycled by plantsand animals on the farm. Nutrients leave the farmin harvested crops and animal products. These arenutrient removals. Ideally, nutrient inputs andremovals should be roughly the same. Whennutrient inputs to the farm greatly exceed nutrientremovals from the farm, the risk of nutrient lossesto groundwater and surface water is greater. Whenyou check nutrient inputs against nutrient remov-als, you are creating a mass balance. This nutrientmass balance is an important part of an NMP and

Filter strip

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The Basic StepsNMPs consist of four major

parts: evaluation of nutrientneeds, inventory of nutrientsupply, determination of nutrientbalance and preventive mainte-nance and inspection.

wellheads and lakes or ponds aresensitive to nutrient overload.You should create buffer zonesaround these areas on your mapwhere nutrient use will be re-duced or eliminated. By buffer-ing these areas, water qualityproblems may be decreased.

Soil TestingComplete and accurate soil

tests are important for a success-ful nutrient management plan.You will need soil tests everythree years to determine howmuch nutrient addition is needed.The needed nutrients can besupplied from commercialfertilizer and/or organic sources.Be sure to take representativesoil samples and have themtested by a reputable laboratoryfamiliar with Louisiana soils andcrop production. Your countyagent can help you submitsamples to the LSU Soil TestingLaboratory.

Determine NutrientsNeeded for Each Field

Once you have set realisticyield goals and you have yoursoil test results, you can deter-mine the nutrients your cropswill need. The amount of nutri-ents needed should be based onyour local growing conditions. Ata minimum, the amounts of lime,

nitrogen,phosphorus andpotassium should be listedin the plan for each field. Mostsoil and plant analysis labs willgive you recommended applica-tion rates based on the soil testresults. Your county agent canhelp you with this.

Inventory ofNutrient Supply Many of the nutrientsneeded to grow your crops arealready present on your farm inthe soil, in animal manures or incrop residues. Knowing theamounts of nutrients alreadypresent in these sources isimportant so that you do not buyor apply more nutrients thanneeded.

Determine the Quantityof Nutrients Availableon Your Farm

Supply planning starts withan inventory of the nutrientsproduced on the farm. Thisinformation will allow you tobalance your nutrient purchaseswith what is available on yourfarm for the realistic productionpotential of the crops grown.

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Evaluation ofNutrient Needs

Maps and FieldInformation

You will need a detailedmap of your farm. The mapshould include:

• farm property lines

• your fields with the fieldidentification

• the location of all surfacewaters such as streams, rivers,ponds or lakes

• direction of surface flows

• arrows showing the direc-tion that streams or rivers flow

• a soils map, if available

This map will serve as thebasis for the entire plan, so eachfield should have a uniqueidentification. In addition to themap, prepare a list of the crops tobe grown in each field with arealistic yield goal for each crop.Most of this information isavailable at your local USDAFarm Service Center.

Locate Critical AreasCertain areas on your farm

such as streams and rivers,

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DeterminingNutrient BalanceBalance Between Supplyand Need

Once you have determinedboth the supply and need ofnutrients for each of your fields,a critical aspect of NMPs isbalancing the two. This can bedone in several ways. MostNMPs are developed based onnitrogen, but other factors suchas phosphorus or metals couldcontrol how much you can putout under certain conditions. Aphosphorus index is being devel-oped to help producers determinewhen nutrient management basedon phosphorus would be advis-able.

PreventiveMaintenance andInspections

Keeping good, detailedrecords that help you monitoryour progress is essential toknow if your NMP is to accom-plish your goals. You should keepall results from soil and plant andexamine how they change withtime with your managementpractices. Records should be kepton crop yields, nutrient applica-tion rates, timing and applicationmethods. Keep detailed sched-

ules and records on calibration ofspraying and spreading equip-ment. When you have a majorchange in production, updateyour plan to reflect thesechanges.

Where Can You ObtainInformation Needed forYour NMP?

The LSU AgCenter, theUSDA Natural Resources Con-servation Service, the LouisianaDepartment of Agriculture andForestry, certified crop advisorsor other private consultants willbe able to assist you in develop-ing parts of a comprehensivenutrient management plan.

An NMP is a good tool tohelp you use your on- and off-farm resources more efficientlyand prevent future problems. Asuccessful NMP will help youobtain the maximum profit whileprotecting the environment.

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GENERAL FARM BMPS

Water wellprotection

Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Systshould be usedevery threeyears to deter-mine potentialthreats to waterwells. Threatsidentified willbe ranked andmeasured tocorrect themost serious.

Used engine oil,grease, batteries,tires, etc.

• Used engine oil should bestored in a waste oil container(tank or drum) until recycled.

• Empty paint cans, anti-freeze containers, used tires, oldbatteries, etc., will be stored in asecure area until they can bedisposed of properly.

Irrigation waterquality

Irrigation water (surfaceand/or well) should be tested inthe spring to determine thesalinity (salt) level before flood-ing rice fields. Take samples toan approved laboratory foranalysis.

Fuel storage tanksAbove-ground fuel storage tanks in Louisiana are regulated by

the State Fire Marshal and by the EPA if surface water is at risk.Above-ground tanks containing 660 gallons or more require second-ary containment. The State Fire Marshal recommends that some sort

of secondary containment beused with all fuel storagetanks. This could include theuse of double-walled tanks,diking around the tank forimpoundment or remoteimpoundment facilities.

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These practices are to befollowed:

• Any existing above-groundfuel storage tank of 660 gallonsor more (1320 gallons if morethan one) must have a contain-ment wall surrounding the tankcapable of holding 100 percentof the tank’s capacity (or thelargest tank’s capacity if morethan one) in case of spillage.

• The tank and storage areashould be located at least 40 feetfrom any building. Fuel storagetanks should be placed 150 feetand downslope from surfacewater and water wells.

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• It is recommended that thestorage tank be on a concreteslab to prevent any spillage fromentering surface and ground-water.

• The storage area should bekept free of weeds and othercombustible materials.

• The tank should be con-spicuously marked with the nameof the product that it containsand “FLAMMABLE — KEEPFIRE AND FLAME AWAY.”

• The bottom of the tankshould be supported by concreteblocks approximately 6 inchesabove the ground surface toprotect the bottom of the tankfrom corrosion.

• If a pumping device isused, it should be tightly andpermanently attached and meetNFPA approval. Gravity dis-charge tanks are acceptable, butthey must be equipped with avalve that will automaticallyclose in the event of a fire.

• Plans for the installation ofall storage tanks that will containmore than 60 gallons of liquidmust be submitted to the StateFire Marshal for approval.

• All tanks that catch on firemust be reported to the State FireMarshal within 72 hours of thefire.

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• Underground storage tanksare defined as containing morethan 10 percent of their totalvolume beneath the soil surface.Underground tanks representmore of a problem than above-ground tanks, because leaks canoften go for long periods withoutbeing detected. This poses aserious threat to groundwatersources in the vicinity of thetank. If you have an undergroundfuel storage tank, you need tocontact the State Fire Marshal’sOffice for regulations affectingthese storage tanks.

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This tank would be classified asan underground fuel tank.

25% of tank is belowground level

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Information in this publicationwas compiled by

Fred S. Sanders, Ph.D.,Environmental Sciences.

Other LSU AgCentercontributors were

Johnny Saichuk, Ph.D.;Pat Bollich, Ph.D.;

Eddie Funderburg, Ph.D.;and Mary L. Grodner, Ph.D.

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Visit our website:www.lsuagcenter.com

Produced by LSU AgCenter Communications

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, William B. Richardson, ChancellorLouisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, R. Larry Rogers, Vice Chancellor and Director

Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Jack L. Bagent, Vice Chancellor and Director

Pub. 2805 (2M) 7/00

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with theUnited States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in

programs and employment.

Funded through a cooperative agreement with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Contract 522100.

The complex nature of nonpoint pollution means programs designed toreduce its impact on the environment will not be easy to establish ormaintain. Controlling these contaminants will require solutions as diverseas the pollutants themselves. Through a multi-agency effort, led by theLSU AgCenter, these BMP manuals are targeted at reducing the impactof agricultural production on Louisiana’s environment. Agriculturalproducers in Louisiana, through voluntary implementation of theseBMPs, are taking the lead in efforts to protect the waters of Louisiana.The quality of Louisiana’s environment depends on each of us.