| TMDLs
and
Water
Quality
in
Kansas
Kansas
Growers
Active
in
TMDL
Implementation
Total
Maximum
Daily
Loads
or
TMDLs
are
one
of
the
latest
regulatory
challenges
for
Kansas
producers.
A
TMDL
is
a
written,
measurable
assessment
of
a
specific
stream
segment
and
its
water
quality
problems
and
contributing
pollutants.
It
outlines
the
amount
of
a
pollutant
that
needs
to
be
reduced
to
meet
water
quality
standards,
allocates
control
responsibilities
among
pollution
sources
in
a
watershed
and
provides
a
basis
for
taking
actions
to
restore
water
quality.
A
TMDL
also
includes
monitoring
programs
and
outlines
plans
for
public
input
and
response.
The
TMDL
process
is
voluntary
until
2009.
At
that
point
the
EPA
will
review
the
water
quality
progress
that
Kansas
has
made
and
will
determine
if
further
action
is
needed.
If
progress
is
not
sufficient,
it
is
possible
that
the
program
would
no
longer
be
voluntary
and
further
regulatory
measures
could
be
taken.
It
is
important
for
agricultural
producers
to
use
best
management
practices
and
stay
informed
about
the
water
quality
issues
in
your
area.
Several
Kansas
agricultural
groups
have
formed
the
TMDL
Agricultural
Working
Group.
The
goal
of
the
working
group
is
to
first
educate
agricultural
leaders
in
each
area
of
the
state
and
then
utilize
those
leaders
to
work
with
their
fellow
farmers
and
ranchers
at
a
local
level.
The
Kansas
Corn
Commission
is
represented
by
the
Kansas
Corn
Growers
Association.
Pollutants
addressed
by
TMDLs
are
divided
into
two
categories,
point
and
non-point.
A
point
source
is
any
discernible,
confined
and
discrete
conveyance
from
which
pollutants
are,
or
may
be
discharged.
Many
TMDLs
of
this
type
are
written
for
city
water
treatment
plants.
A
non-point
source
is
runoff
from
agriculture,
forestry,
or
construction
activities.
The
12
basins
and
their
TMDL
dates
are:
Kansas
Lower
Republican-1999;
Cimarron,
Lower
Arkansas
and
Upper
Arkansas-2000;
Marais
des
Cygnes
and
Missouri-2001;
Neosho,
Walnut
and
Verdigris-2002;
Smoky-Hill
Saline,
Upper
Republican
and
Solomon-2003. |
BMPs:
Kansas'
Best Management Practices for Atrazine
Kansas
farmers
are
more
productive
than
ever,
and
much
of
the
increased
productivity
is
due
to
effective
and
efficient
use
of
crop
protection
tools
like
the
herbicide
atrazine
for
weed
control.
When
Kansas
growers
were
faced
with
the
possible
loss
of
atrazine
due
to
water
quality
concerns,
they
used
their
checkoff
dollars
to
fund
research
to
develop
state-specific
Best
Management
Practices.
Growers
and
the
environment
have
benefited
from
Beset
Management
Practices
developed
through
research
conducted
by
Kansas
State
University
and
funded
by
the
Kansas
Corn
Commission
and
Kansas
Grain
Sorghum
Commission
with
grower
checkoff
funds.
These
Best
Management
Practices
are
proven
to
effectively
reduce
farm
chemical
runoff
into
waterways.
Kansas
Atrazine
BMPs
Incorporate
atrazine
into
the
top
2
inches
of
soil.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
60-75%.)
Use
early
pre-plant
applications-fall
or
early
spring
application.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
50%.)
Use
split
applications
of
atrazine.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
25%.)
Reduce
soil-applied
atrazine
application
rates.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
33%.)
Use
postemergence
atrazine
applications.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
50-67%.)
Use
reduced
soil-applied
application
rates
followed
by
a
postemergence
atrazine
application.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
25%.)
Use
alternative
non-atrazine
herbicides.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
100%.)
Alternative
herbicides
may
also
be
lost
in
runoff
if
BMPs
are
not
used.
Use
integrated
pest
management
strategies.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
0
to
100%.)
Establish
vegetative
and
riparian
buffer
strips.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
25-35%.)
Band
herbicides
at
planting
or
cultivating.
(Can
reduce
atrazine
runoff
by
50-67%.)
Use
proper
atrazine
rates,
mixing,
loading
and
disposal
practices.
Use
conservation
practices
and
structures.
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