CNMP*

Plans for nutrient management shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Plans for nutrient management shall be developed in accordance with policy requirements of the NRCS General Manual Title 450, Part 401.03 (Technical Guides, Policy and Responsibilities) and Title 190, Part402 (Ecological Sciences, Nutrient Management, Policy); technical requirements of the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG); procedures contained in the National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH), and the NRCS National Agronomy Manual (NAM) Section 503.

Persons who review or approve plans for nutrient management shall be certified through any certifications program acceptable to NRCS within the state.

Plans for nutrient management that are elements of a more comprehensive conservation plan shall recognize other requirements of the conservation plan and be compatible with its other requirements.

A nutrient budget for N, P and K shall be developed that considers all potential sources of nutrients including, but not limited to animal manures and organic by-products, waste water, commercial fertilizer, crop residues, legume credits and irrigation water.

Realistic yield goals shall be established based on soil productivity information, historical yield data, climatic conditions, level of management and/or local research on similar soil, cropping systems, and soil and manure/organic by-products tests. For new crops or varieties, industry yield recommendations may be used until documented yield information is available.

Plans for nutrient management shall specify the form, source, amount, timing, and method of application of nutrients on each field to achieve realistic production goals, while minimizing nitrogen and/or phosphorus movement to surface and/or ground waters.

Erosion, runoff, and water management controls shall be installed, as needed, on the fields that receive nutrients.

Plans and specification shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose(s), using nutrients to achieve production goals and to prevent or minimize water quality impairment.

The following components shall be included in the NMP:

•  aerial photograph or map and a soil map of the site;
•  current and/or planned plant production sequence or crop rotation;
•  results for soil, plant, water, manure or organic by-product sample analyses;
•  quantification of all nutrient sources;
•  recommended nutrient rates, timing, form, and method of application and incorporation;
•  location of designated sensitive areas or resources and the associated, nutrient management restriction;
•  guidance for implementation, operation, maintenance, record keeping and complete nutrient budget for N, P, and K for the rotation or crop sequence.

If increases in soil P levels are expected, plans shall document:

•  The soil P levels at which it may be desirable to convert to a P-based implementation,
•  The relationship between soil P levels and potential for P transport from the field and the potential for soil P drawdown from the production and harvesting of crops.

When applicable, plans shall include other practices or management activities as determined by specific regulation, program requirements, or producer goals.

In addition to the requirements described above, plans for nutrient management shall also include:

• Discussion about the relationship between N and P transport and water quality impairment. The discussion about N should include information about N leaching into shallow groundwater and potential health impacts. The discussion about P should include information about P accumulation in the soil, the increased potential for P transport in soluble form, and the types of water quality impairment that could result from P movement into surface water bodies.
• Discussion about how the plan is intended to prevent the nutrients (N and P) supplied for production purposes from contributing to water quality impairment.
• A statement that the plan was developed based on the requirements of the current standard and any applicable federal, state, or local regulations or policies; and that changes in any of these requirements may necessitate a revision of the plan.

*The information presented was taken from www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ECS/nutrient/documents.html