AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP
A POSITIVE APPROACH - Working in cooperation with Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Our objective is to work with farmers and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to resolve, in a timely and commonsense manner, water quality problems reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) concerning nutrients, sediment and toxins from agricultural activities.
Why Is This Program Important?
Virginia's agricultural community has for years
promoted stewardship of our land and water resources. As a show of commitment
to this concept, agricultural leaders supported the passage of the Agricultural
Stewardship Act (ASA) during the 1996 General Assembly. The ASA program gives
the farmer an opportunity to correct a water quality problem voluntarily before
any enforcement action is taken. The ASA can also be an opportunity to educate
all parties involved regarding best management practices and agriculture.
How
Is The Program Structured?
The ASA program is administered by the VDACS Commissioner's
Office which will receive all complaints. If a complaint is under the jurisdiction
of the ASA, the local Soil and Water Conservation District is contacted and
given the opportunity to investigate. After a complaint is investigated,
the Commissioner's Office reviews the findings and determines if the complaint
is founded and requires further action under the ASA. If so, the farmer
is required to develop a plan to correct the problem and then complete plan
implementation within eighteen months. The Commissioner's Office contacts
complainants to inform them of the findings.
What Kinds Of Activities Are Not Covered By The Act?
The ASA does not cover
agricultural activities subject to water quality permits from the Department
of Environmental Quality, forestry activities, air pollution, odor concerns,
and landfills or waste problems that do not involve agricultural products and
that have no clear water quality impact.
Link to Farm*A*Syst, a program which partners government and private business and enables individuals to prevent pollution on farms, ranches, and homes.
What Are Examples Of Water Quality Problems?
Water quality problems may be
caused by nutrients from manure in feed lot runoff, sediment from erosion on
crop fields, toxins from pesticide runoff, etc.
Civil Penalties Matrix for the Agricultural Stewardship Act Program (Authority:
Section 10.1-559.7 of the Code of Virginia)
Agriculture Stewardship Annual Report
Agriculture Stewardship Guidelines