Rural Land Program. A guide to reducing the impact of runoff to waterways

Transcription

1 Rural Land Program A guide to reducing the impact of runoff to waterways

2 We are all land stewards Whether we earn an income from agriculture or just enjoy living in a rural area, it is important that our land management practices do not harm our waterways. This manual details the principles around good land management for improving the quality of runoff from your property. It describes a number of best management practices that you can implement to keep nutrients and sediments on your property and out of our waterways. Implementing these best management practices will not only have a positive impact on the waterways, taking actions to improve runoff from your property also makes good business sense. Valuable soils are retained on farm, less money is spent on fertilisers and a safer working environment is created. Other flow-on benefits may include productivity improvements, enhanced aesthetics and a healthier farm environment. The manual also features a simple checklist in each section to help you privately assess your own land management. If you are already implementing best management practices, well done! If not, the manual will help you identify areas that could be improved, and the steps that you can take to improve the quality of runoff leaving your property.

3 How runoff threatens our waterways Rain that falls on your property can end up in our creeks or rivers as runoff. As it travels across your property, runoff has the potential to collect sediment, nutrients and other contaminants which are then deposited into our waterways. The management practices outlined in this manual are based on the following eight principles of responsible land management for improving the quality of runoff from your property: 1. Plan to protect the water sensitive areas on your property pg 2 2. Exclude water sensitive areas from production pg 4 3. Vegetate your water sensitive areas pg 6 4. Manage your property to optimise soil health pg 8 5. Understand, monitor and plan your property s nutrient inputs and outputs pg Design and manage drainage systems to reduce erosion and prevent runoff flowing directly into water sensitive areas pg Design and manage tracks, roads and crossings to reduce erosion and runoff pg Design, construct and manage treatment systems to intercept and treat sediment and nutrient loads pg 20 The detrimental impacts of sediment, nutrients and other contaminants on our waterways include: poor water quality the proliferation of nuisance algae increased eutrophication (when an abundance of algae starves other aquatic organisms of oxygen) higher incidence of waterborne diseases loss of biodiversity. Prevention is better than a cure Treating the problems caused by excessive nutrients, sediments and contaminants entering our creeks and rivers is costly. A more effective strategy involves encouraging responsible land management practices to reduce the amount of nutrients, sediments and other contaminants leaving properties in runoff. Water Sensitive Farm Design / 1

4 1. Plan to protect the water sensitive areas on your property locate where the water sensitive areas are on your property take action to protect them communicate the plan to everyone who works on/uses your property assess and monitor your plan regularly. Planning to protect water sensitive areas I have prepared a Property Management Plan (PMP) that shows the water sensitive areas on my property. Water sensitive areas are those areas on your property that hold or carry water, or that can be reasonably expected to hold or carry water in certain conditions. Water sensitive areas include waterways, drains, dams, wetlands, gullies and natural drainage lines, seeps, soaks, springs, low-lying or seasonally wet areas. The PMP clearly shows the at risk water sensitive areas on my property (those areas where runoff is likely to collect sediment, nutrients or other contaminants) eg: areas prone to erosion, pugging, waterlogging, compaction high traffic areas unvegetated slopes places where stock congregate eg feed areas, troughs. Benefits of planning to protect the water sensitive areas on your property include: a better understanding of how your actions impact the quality of runoff leaving your property identifying ways that you could use your property more efficiently the ability to prioritise your goals the ability to monitor and evaluate your progress a means of communicating your property goals to your family/employees. 2 / Melbourne Water 2012 The PMP documents the actions I am taking to: manage the water sensitive areas manage and/or repair the problem areas. I regularly check and assess the condition of the water sensitive areas and problem areas on my property and record my observations in the PMP. Water Sensitive Farm Design / 3

5 2. Exclude water sensitive areas from production avoid cultivating water sensitive areas exclude stock from water sensitive areas. Although water sensitive areas can be productive, they are also fragile. Livestock and the equipment used for cultivation can damage the soil structure and destroy the protective layer of vegetation, causing erosion and sedimentation. There is also a high risk that manure and urine (which are both high in nutrients and bacteria), fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides will flow into our waterways, particularly after rain events. Benefits of excluding water sensitive areas from production include: improved water quality, because stock are not polluting the water sensitive areas improved water quality because fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides etc are not being used near the waterway reduced erosion and sedimentation because stock, vehicles and machinery are not damaging the physical structure of the soil safer working environment safer and more efficient stock management well managed water sensitive areas are usually aesthetically attractive and can lead to increased property values indigenous vegetation is likely to regenerate naturally, making it easier and cheaper to revegetate the area. reduced stock losses from getting bogged/falling in water sensitive areas. Excluding water sensitive areas from production I never cultivate or graze the streams and wetlands on my property. I only graze the seasonally wet areas of my property: in dry periods, and if they are well-vegetated (ideally 100% groundcover). I have created a buffer zone between the water sensitive areas and the areas that I graze or cultivate that is: at least 20m wide well-vegetated (ideally 100%) at all times planted with native (preferably indigenous) trees, shrubs and grasses. All stock water is provided via troughs that are: located at least 20m from water sensitive areas constructed on a firm base to prevent erosion not connected to water sensitive areas via drainage lines. I have built tracks and laneways at least 20m from the water sensitive areas. I have constructed bridges and/or crossings in accordance with the BMPs on pg 19. Feed points are: located as far from water sensitive areas as possible not connected to water sensitive areas via drainage lines shifted around the paddock regularly. Waste (rubbish, manure, carcasses etc) is: never stockpiled or stored near water sensitive areas always disposed of (at refuse tip, knackery, on-farm) in accordance with relevant legislation. 4 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 5

6 3. Vegetate your water sensitive areas maintain adequate groundcover to reduce erosion and filter nutrients establish indigenous vegetation to provide natural filtering encourage biodiversity to improve soil biology and nutrient cycling manage pastures according to seasonal conditions. Vegetate the water sensitive areas on your property I have created buffer zones along the water sensitive areas on my property that are: Healthy root systems minimise the negative impacts of production activities because they bind the soil and trap nutrients before they enter our waterways. Indigenous vegetation is preferable to exotic species because it provides habitat for wildlife, and encourages healthy aquatic ecosystems that play an important role in recycling nutrients. Vegetating your waterways can also have productivity benefits, including shade and shelter for stock, and windbreaks for crops. at least 20m wide well-vegetated (ideally 100%) at all times. The vegetation in the buffer zones is: indigenous to my area a mixture of grasses, shrubs and trees. Invasive woody weeds (such as willows and blackberries) have been removed from the water sensitive areas. Benefits of revegetating your water sensitive areas include: reduced erosion and sedimentation, because healthy vegetation binds the soil and reduces water flow improved water quality, because nutrients and contaminants are trapped before they can enter the waterway shelter and shade for stock windbreak for crops improved biodiversity a more attractive property that can contribute to increased land values. 6 / Melbourne Water 2012 I undertake ongoing weed control to ensure that invasive weeds do not re-establish in the water sensitive areas. Water Sensitive Farm Design / 7

7 4. Manage your property to optimise soil health maintain pasture/vegetation cover to promote soil biology and avoid erosion soil test regularly monitor and treat imbalances such as acidity and salinity avoid excessive soil disturbance calculate your nutrient requirements using the results of soil tests and your specific production objectives (these may vary over your property). Soils that are biologically active, chemically balanced and well-structured are more effective at retaining moisture, resisting erosion and utilising available soil nutrients than less healthy soils. Adopting strategies that improve soil health will reduce runoff, erosion and sedimentation, and allow you to use less inputs (fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides) for production. Benefits of optimising soil health include: retention of valuable assets (soil and nutrients) through better soil management more productive soil, because healthy soils retain moisture and nutrients reduced fertiliser bills, because healthy soils enable plants to use the nutrients that are already in the soil and atmosphere safer environment for humans and stock. Optimising soil health I have divided the property into distinct production and management areas according to the different: soil types topography (eg slopes, depressions) soil capabilities problem areas*. *problem areas are those areas where runoff is likely to collect sediment, nutrients or other contaminants eg: areas prone to erosion, pugging, waterlogging, compaction high-use areas unvegetated slopes places where stock congregate eg feed points, troughs. I have revegetated or taken action to remediate: slopes >15 depressions and low points problem areas. I carry out soil tests: at least every two years (or more according to industry practice) on samples taken from 30 cores collected from representative transects, taken at the same time of year. using accredited laboratories and sampling techniques ideally, using the same laboratory to provide interpretation and advice. I take action to address problems or imbalances identified by soil tests including: acidity/alkalinity (ph) salinity nutrient deficiencies. I am taking steps to improve soil biological activity on my property eg: incorporating organic matter into the soil minimum tillage rotational grazing/cropping optimising fertiliser use using chemicals in a way that will not inhibit soil biological activity. 8 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 9

8 continued... Optimise soil health My buffer zones are complemented by: grass filter strips swales diversion banks and/or contour banks to slow and filter runoff before it reaches the waterways. I cultivate slopes: I aim to maintain full groundcover throughout the property. I rotationally graze every paddock on my property according to a system that: aims to maintain full groundcover at all times takes into account seasonal variations in stock needs and pasture quality includes a rest period. The pasture on my property: is predominantly perennials, and comprises several different species. on the contour where safe to do so I maintain full groundcover by: so that rows are at right angles to the direction of water flow having no fallow periods in my cropping schedule leaving a grass strip (or volunteer sod) between rows. planting green manure crops or having more established plantings on steep areas when high rainfall is expected Runoff is directed into an appropriate treatment system (see pg 23) before it enters the water sensitive areas. using a feedpad or sacrifice area (positioned away from water sensitive areas and waterways) to assist with maintaining pasture cover I harrow each paddock at regular intervals to incorporate the manure into the soil. 10 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 11

9 5. Monitor and plan your property s nutrient inputs and outputs develop a nutrient management plan ensure that fertilisers and waste products are kept out of water sensitive areas match your nutrient inputs to your soil s capabilities and your production goals match irrigation to crop/pasture requirements treat runoff that contains nutrients before it leaves your property time your nutrient applications to maximise uptake by crops/pasture (ie during growth periods) and to minimise the risk of runoff (ie avoiding rain events) dispose of waste in compliance with all relevant legislation store waste materials away from water sensitive areas. Unabsorbed nutrients (fertilisers, manure and effluent) are easily transported off your property in runoff. This nutrient load is both a loss to production, and a threat to our waterways. Taking the time to understand exactly how much nutrients your soils, crops and pastures actually require (and when they require them) will improve the quality of runoff leaving your property. It will also reduce your fertiliser costs because you will not be paying for nutrients that your soils, crops and pastures cannot absorb. Benefits of monitoring and planning your property s nutrient inputs and outputs include: improved water quality because nutrients are not entering the waterways in runoff improved production because the plants specific nutrient needs are being identified and met reduced fertiliser bill because: - only the nutrients that are needed are being applied - nutrients are being applied at rates and times to maximise plant uptake - less wastage through runoff. Nutrient management I have prepared a Nutrient Management Plan for each management area on my property that includes: the results of soil tests* fertiliser history current production objectives optimum nutrient levels to meet production objectives current best management practices for applying fertilisers current best management practices for storing fertilisers and chemicals. *refer to pg 9 Each year, I prepare a Nutrient Budget for each management area on my property that includes: total nutrient inputs (eg fertiliser, trace elements) total nutrient outputs (eg crops, hay, wool, meat, milk, manure) net nutrients (ie total outputs less total inputs). Each year, I use the Nutrient Budget to calculate: the amount of fertiliser (nutrients and trace elements), and the application rate required for each management area on my property. I rely on the results: of soil tests, visual examination, and leaf or tissue analysis to determine whether nutrient levels are adequate for plant growth. I avoid applying fertiliser: to waterlogged soils within 20m of water sensitive areas within 30m of water sensitive areas where the slope > 3 over drainage lines to Problem Areas to areas with less than full pasture cover on days of high wind 12 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 13

10 continued... Nutrient management I schedule fertiliser and effluent applications to: avoid irrigation or rain events (2 days in the case of nitrogen and 4 days in the case of phosphorus) take place when plant nutrient uptake will be greatest, as indicated by: - soil moisture levels, - soil temperature, and - plant growth cycles. When applying fertiliser or effluent, I: select the most efficient and practical method for applying fertiliser for each crop type ensure that the delivery method is correctly calibrated before use. Fertilisers and chemicals are stored, used and handled: away from water sensitive areas in a manner that prevents fertilisers and chemicals entering water sensitive areas in compliance with all relevant legislative and industry requirements eg: - EPA - Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act I have an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit. I use a Fertcare accredited spreader. 14 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 15

11 6. Design and manage drainage systems to reduce erosion and prevent runoff flowing directly into waterways use vegetation to slow flows and trap and filter nutrients and sediment slow water flows, to reduce erosion risk maintain drainage and treatment systems in good working order if sediment and nutrient loads remain high, install a treatment system to treat runoff before it enters our waterways. Designing and maintaining drainage systems I have received: advice on designing efficient and effective drainage systems from an appropriately qualified consultant any necessary approvals to build the drainage systems on my property. Poorly designed and/or maintained drainage systems are a major contributor to poor water quality in our catchments. Features such as swales will help to reduce water flow speeds and minimise the risk of erosion. Use reed beds, sediment traps, retention ponds or grassed paddocks to remove nutrients, sediment and other contaminants from runoff before it enters our waterways. The drains on my property: are broad, shallow and grassed do not connect directly with a water sensitive area are intercepted by at least one treatment process that is capable of managing high flow events (eg a paddock) slow water flow to a walk (if necessary, hay bales or coir logs can be placed into drainage lines). are fenced off to exclude stock and machinery Benefits of well designed and maintained drainage systems include: improved water quality because runoff is treated before it enters the waterways additional source of water and nutrients (eg retention ponds, effluent ponds). 16 / Melbourne Water 2012 are protected by a filter strip that is at least 5m wide I have designed drains that: can accommodate maximum runoff from high rainfall events are placed along contour lines are built with side slopes (batters) that are stable for the soil type and allow for easy maintenance preferably no steeper than 3 (horizontal) : 1 (vertical) Water Sensitive Farm Design / 17

12 7. Design and manage tracks, roads and crossings to reduce erosion and runoff tracks, roads and crossings should be well-constructed and built on hard, stable ground direct runoff to appropriate drainage/treatment points avoid water sensitive areas where possible design tracks, roads and crossings to shed water, not carry it. Runoff from poorly designed or maintained roads, tracks and crossings is a major source of sediment, nutrients and contaminants. Roads and tracks should be built of hard materials that will not erode. Crossings should not interfere with the natural waterflow. It is important that runoff is intercepted and ideally treated (eg via reed beds, sediment traps, retention ponds or grassed paddocks) before it enters our waterways. Roads, tracks and crossings The Property Management Plan (PMP) (see pg 3) includes: all roads, tracks and crossings observations about the type of traffic and frequency of use observations about runoff annual inspection of drains, roads, tracks and crossings strategies for remediating runoff problems (including erosion). Benefits of managing tracks, roads and crossings include: reduced erosion because roads and tracks are well-constructed and sited safer, easier environment for moving stock and machinery reduced maintenance costs roads and tracks are well-constructed and sited. Crushed rock or surface gravel are used to protect: all high-use roads and tracks crossings those parts of low-use roads and tracks that are at risk of erosion eg slopes. Roads and tracks: are built on hard, stable ground are shaped to shed water are wide enough for both traffic and drainage. Runoff from roads and tracks is diverted into an appropriate treatment system. Roads and tracks are never used as containment areas or feed pads. Crossings are avoided if possible, but if required, are: free span bridges located at stable parts of the waterway fenced so that stock cannot wander into the waterway built and managed in compliance with relevant legislation designed to prevent erosion and drainage into the waterway complemented by well-vegetated banks and verges. 18 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 19

13 8. Design, construct and manage treatment systems to intercept and treat sediment and nutrient loads identify the source of the nutrient and/or sediment load and take steps to reduce the load before considering a treatment system select an appropriate treatment system for the type and size of sediment and/or nutrient load and the catchment area remember that a chain of treatment systems is more effective than one treatment system monitor and maintain the treatment system. Most of the best management practices in this manual are preventative: that is, they are designed to prevent sediments and nutrients from entering the runoff on your property. Sometimes, however, sediment and nutrient loads remain unacceptably high. In these situations, runoff must be intercepted and treated before it can safely leave your property. Remedial treatment systems for removing sediment and coarse contaminants from runoff include sediment traps, sediment retention basins and grassed swales. Remedial treatment systems for removing nutrients from runoff include wetlands, bio-retention/filtration systems and grassed swales. Benefits of managing treatment systems include: reduced risk of waterborne disease and contamination of water supply reduced fertiliser bill, as a result of recycling waste products (manure, crop residue etc) Treatment systems I have identified and measured the key pollutants in the sediment/nutrient load. I have: identified the source of the sediment and/or nutrient load, and taken action to reduce the amount of the sediment and/or nutrient load. I have received: advice on designing efficient and effective treatment systems from an appropriately qualified consultant, and any necessary approvals to build the treatment systems on my property. The treatment system is appropriate for the: size and type of sediment and/or nutrient load, size of the catchment area, soil type, topography, and available cleaning equipment I have constructed a chain of treatment systems to maximize the effectiveness of the overall system. I ensure that sediment loads are treated before nutrient loads. I maintain and monitor the effectiveness of my treatment system. neater, more attractive property creates an additional water source which can be reused or recycled 20 / Melbourne Water 2012 Water Sensitive Farm Design / 21

14

15 You ve completed the checklist, and have identified some areas where you could improve your land management practices. What next? Your next step is to develop an action plan that sets out what you are going to do to improve your management practices. There are a number of organisations including Melbourne Water and Landcare that can help you develop, and in certain cases, implement action plans. For general and technical advice, and information on funding support: Melbourne Water Rural Land Program River Health Incentives Program (03) Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (03) Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (03) Landcare (03) Greening Australia (03) Waterwatch Weeds Australia (03) Useful industry contacts Dairy Australia (03) EnviroVeg (03) Horticultural Industry Network Meat & Livestock Australia (02) Victoria Farmers Federation For general information about legislation that may apply to the way you manage your property Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Melbourne Water 990 La Trobe Street, Docklands VIC 3008 PO Box 4342 Melbourne Victoria 3001 Telephone melbournewater.com.au ISBN (print) ISBN (web) Copyright 2012 Melbourne Water Corporation. All rights reserved.