Is there a list of Best Management Practices that might be employed in agricultural areas?
Again, each TMDL is specifically tailored to address the conditions and circumstances that pertain to that impaired water. Many agricultural BMPs used successfully in the past to lower bacteria levels in streams include livestock exclusion from streams, reducing stormwater run-off from concentrated livestock areas by additional buffering in the riparian (near-stream) zone, and manure management practices. As in urban areas, addressing failing septic systems and straight pipes has been very effective. In general, riparian restoration activities have been shown to be very effective. More detailed information can be found at the following websites: http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/bmps_for_agnps.html and http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/descprob/strmbnks.html. More detailed information is also available in the TMDL IP Guidance Manual available from DEQ and DCR.
