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Kansas Corn and
WATER QUALITY
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.

For more information on TMDLs and Water Quality, contact:
Jessica Caylor, KCGA Director of Environmental Programs


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