§570.206. Operation and Maintenance Criteria

The following operation and maintenance criteria shall apply as best management practices to all runoff field application systems:

 

a)         Protect the field application area from damage by farm equipment, traffic and livestock.  LIVESTOCK MUST BE FENCED OUT OF THE RUNOFF FIELD APPLICATION AREA.

 

b)         Avoid damaging the field application area with herbicides.

 

c)         Fertilize the field application area when necessary to establish growth.

 

d)         Harvest when the forage is at the proper state of maturity for maximum quality feed.  No harvesting shall occur after September 15.  Use the following guide for cutting stages and minimum cutting height for the species seeded:

 

1)         Reed canarygrass – cut at early boot stage to heading – minimum cutting height 6 inches.

 

2)         Reed canarygrass – tall fescue mixture – cut at early boot to heading – minimum cutting height 6 inches.

 

e)         Repair damage caused by erosion or equipment immediately so the runoff field application system will continue to perform properly.  Rills and small channels must be repaired.  A shallow furrow on the contour across the field application area can be used to reestablish sheet flow.

 

f)         To prevent excess organic solids from entering the field application area:

 

1)         Scrape feedlot regularly; however, do not scrape waste into settling facilities, but place in separate manure stacking area away from settling basin.

 

2)         Drainage from manure stacking facilities should be directed to settling basin or contained.

 

3)         Remove solids from the settling basin when 2 to 4 inches accumulate.

 

4)         Scrape lot frequently during early spring.  At least once each 7 days is recommended.

 

g)         If organic wastes accumulate on the field application area and are damaging vegetation, redistribute wastes.

 

h)         Remove solids that accumulate in the effluent transport system, junction box, and distribution manifold regularly.

 

i)          Solids removed from runoff field application system components shall be disposed of pursuant to Technical Policy WPC-2-Design Criteria for Field Application of Livestock Waste.

 

j)          Periodic soil testing of the field application area is suggested to determine changes in phosphorus, potassium, and pH levels.

 

k)         Each spring, relevel the distribution manifold and restore the design slope on other pipes.

 

l)          When vegetation of a kind other than reed canarygrass or tall fescue infests 20% or more of the field application area, the infested area shall be revegetated as provided in Section 570.205.