Comprehensive Air QualityManagement Plan Criteria

Practice/ActivityCode (126) (No.)

1. Definition

ComprehensiveAirQualityManagement Plans (CAQMPs) can bepart of conservation plans applicableto manyagricultural operations. Theseplans assess practicesand strategiesadopted byagricultural operations to addressenvironmental concerns directlyrelatedto airqualityandatmospheric change. Also recommended are management options and structural alternatives to address resource concerns identified duringthe assessment. A ComprehensiveAirQualityManagement Plan(CAQMP):

a. Meets NRCSqualitycriteriaorameasureableimprovement forairqualityand otheridentified resourceconcerns;

b. Complies with federal, state, tribal, and local laws, regulations and permit requirements;

c. Addresses theoperator’sobjectives.

2. CAQMPCriteria

This section establishes theminimum criteriato be addressed in thedevelopment ofCAQMP.

A.General Criteria - TheCAQMPshall bedeveloped bycertified Technical ServiceProviders(TSPs). In accordancewith Section 1240 (A), theEnvironmental QualityIncentiveProgram (EQIP)program providesfundingsupport throughcontracts with eligibleproducers to obtain services ofcertified TSPs fordevelopment ofCAQMP. ThespecificTSP criteriarequiredforCAQMPdevelopment is located on theTSPregistry(TechReg)web site at:

B.Theplannershall addressthe followingelements duringtheCAQMPdevelopment process:

•Background and SiteInformation;

•Documentation oftheCAQMPEmissions ofConcern;

•Documentation oftheCAQMPcomponents;

•References

C. CAQMPspecific element criteriawill offer conservation treatment practices related to the followingairqualityandatmospheric change resourceconcerns:

•ParticulateMatter,

•OzonePrecursors,

•Odors (where appropriate), and

•GreenhouseGases

  1. Each oftheCAQMPelements will address specific criteria. Thedegreeto which these elements areaddressed in thedevelopment and implementation of asite-specificCAQMPis determined bythespecific criteriaprovided foreach element oftheCAQMPbelow.

a)Background and SiteInformation. This element provides abriefdescription of:

•Nameofowner/operator;

•Facilitylocation(s)andmailing address;

•Typeand sizeoftheoperation;

•AirQualityresource concerns

b)Documentation oftheCAQMPEmissions ofConcern. This element documents theowner’s/operator’sconsideration oftheCAQMPemissions of concern. It is recognizedthat aCAQMPmaynotaddress all ofthese emissions; however eachemission of concern needs to be considered bythe planner and owner/operatorduringthedevelopment oftheCAQMP, and the owner’s/operator’s decisions regarding each mustbedocumented. The followingeight emissions contributeto theNRCSairqualityand atmospheric changeresource concerns (the applicableconcern(s) areincluded in parentheses afterthe emission). Examples ofpractices and activities to consider to address each emission areincluded below the emission.

1) Direct ParticulateMatterEmissions (ParticulateMatter)

• Pavingorgravel application

• Dust suppressant application

• Mulch application

• Speed ortrafficreduction

• Residuemanagement

• Wind management (e.g.,vegetativebarriers; windbreaks)

• Irrigation management

• Rangemanagement

• Animal incineration

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization (e.g.,manure removal, manurescraping, andcovered storage)

• Sprinklerirrigation

• Engineemissions management (e.g.,engine replacement, filters, etc.)

2) Ammonia (ParticulateMatter, Odors)

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization

• Incorporating/injecting manure

• Fertilizermanagement

• Feed management

• Biofilter/scrubberinstallation

3) VolatileOrganicCompounds/VOCs (ParticulateMatter, OzonePrecursors, Odors)

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization

• Incorporating/injecting manure

• Biofilter/scrubberinstallation

• Feed management

• Non-burningalternativesto prescribed burningofcrop residue/waste

• Engineemissions management (e.g., engine replacement, engine retrofit, etc.)

• Pesticidemanagement

• Non-burningalternativesto open burning

• Prescribed burning

4) Oxides ofNitrogen/NOx(ParticulateMatter, OzonePrecursors)

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization

• Incorporating/injecting manure

• Fertilizermanagement

• Feed management

• Engineemissions management (e.g., engine replacement, engineretrofit, etc.)

• Non-burningalternativesto open burning

• Prescribed burning

• Soil management

5) Odorous sulfur compounds (Odors)

• Manure/wastemanagement

• Feed management

• Incorporating/injecting manure

• Biofilter/scrubberinstallation

6) Carbon Dioxide/CO2(GreenhouseGases)

• Residuemanagement

• Carbon sequestration to offset CO2emissions

• Soil management

• Utilization of agriculturalresidues/wastesas renewable fuel feedstock

• Engineemissions management (e.g., engine replacement, engine retrofit, etc.)

• Non-burningalternativesto open burning

• Prescribed burning

7) Methane/CH4(GreenhouseGases)

• Anaerobicdigesterpowergeneration with animal waste feedstock

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization

• Feed management (e.g.,amendments)

8) Nitrous Oxide/N2O (GreenhouseGases)

• Manure/wastemanagement and utilization

• Incorporating/injecting manure

• Fertilizermanagement

• Feed management

• Soil management

c)Documentation oftheCAQMP Components. TheCAQMPshall address the resource concerns identified. This element documents theowner’s/operator’s decisions as to what NRCSconservation practices areplanned. Typical NRCS Conservation PracticeStandards areincluded in the components below. Itis recognized that aCAQMPmaynotcontain all ofthese components; howevereach component needs to be considered bytheplanner and owner/operatorduringthedevelopment ofthe CAQMP, and the owner’s/operator’s decisions regarding each mustbedocumented. CAQMP Components:

1) LandTreatment Practices for erosion controlandair emissions management whichcould includeirrigation, unpaved road,and surfacetreatment, barriers and windbreaks,fertilizermanagement, incorporating/injectingmanure, etc.

2) LandTreatment Practices for carbon sequestration thatcould includenutrient, fertilizer and pest management.

3) Crop ResidueManagement for erosion control orto minimize emissions from prescribed burningwhich could includeno-tilling, mulch till, chippingand mulchingoforchard pruning’s, utilization ofagriculturalresidues/wastes as renewable fuel feedstock, etc.

4) ManureManagement Systems forodor and otherair emissions management whichcould includemanureand wastewaterhandling and storagepractices such as theuseoflagooncovers, solid-liquid separation, biofilters/scrubbers, anaerobicdigesters, etc.

5) Livestockfeedingto managenutrient content in feed to reduce emissions from animal agriculturethat impact airquality

6) LivestockHousing and Feedlots to address dust, odors, and otherair emissions from the confinement of animals which could include biofilters/scrubbers, cleaningup spilled materials,manureremoval, irrigation sprays, etc.

7) OtherUtilization Activities

a)

b)

c)

d)ReferencesElement.Thiselementliststhetechnicaldocumentation sourcesusedfor theCAQMP and mayinclude theactualdocumentsor web sitesthatcontainthe technicaldocumentationusefulfor theproducer.

3. Deliverables for theClient– a hardcopy oftheplanthatincludes:

  1. Coverpage– name, address, phoneof client andTSP; Total Acres ofthe Plan, signatureblocks fortheTSP, producer, andasignatureblock fortheNRCS acceptance.
  2. Soils map and appropriatesoil descriptions
  3. Resource assessment results (wind and watererosion, water availability, soilfertility, and others thatmaybeneeded)
  4. CompleteHardcopyofthe client’s plan (MSWordcopy). Document theplannedconservation practices showing the planned amount, the fields wherethepracticeis to be applied, and theplannedyearof application.
  5. When the following practices are planned include the appropriate Jobsheet or Implementation Requirements (founding in Section IV of the State eFOTG):

Code / Practice Name
371 / Air Filtration and Scrubbing
372 / Combustion System Improvement
373 / Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces
375 / Dust Control from Animal Activity on Open Lot Surfaces
380 / Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
  1. For engineering/structural and other practices. Document when theplannedpracticewill be applied, the estimated extent, and the location on the conservation plan map.

4. Deliverables forNRCSFieldOffice:

  1. CompleteHardcopyandElectronic copyofthe client’s plan (MSWordcopy) and other applicable digital supporting documents.
  2. Digital Conservation Plan Map with fields, features, and structural practices located.
  3. Digital Soils Map.

NRCS

August 2012

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