Office Location: 650 Hawthorne Ave SE, Ste # 130 Salem, OR 97301-5894 We are located in the Salem USDA Service Center Phone: (503) 391-9927 Fax: (503) 399-5799 E-mail: marion.swcd@oacd.org Office Photo and Map

The Agricultural Water Quality Management Program administered by the Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA) Natural Resources Division, is responsible for addressing water pollution associated with agricultural lands and activities. The Agricultural Water Quality Management Program has evolved in response to requirements under various state and federal laws, such as the Clean Water Act.

In 1993, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1010 or the Agricultural Water Quality Management Act, which provides for ODA to be the lead state agency working with agriculture to address water pollution. Through the Agricultural Water Quality Management Act (AgWQM Act), ODA is authorized to develop and carry out a water quality management plan for any agricultural or rural lands area whenever a water quality management plan is required by state or federal law.

In 1995, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 502 (ORS 561.191) which stipulates that ODA "shall develop and implement any program or rules that directly regulate farming practices that are for the purpose of protecting water quality and that are applicable to areas of the state designated as exclusive farm use zones or other agricultural lands." The implications of this legislation are that in Oregon, ODA is the agency solely responsible for regulating agricultural activities that affect water quality.

The AgWQM Act directs ODA to work with farmers and ranchers to develop Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plans (AgWQM Area Plans) for watersheds. Basically, it provides a framework for ODA to develop watershed based plans which identify measures and strategies necessary for landowners to prevent and control water pollution resulting from agricultural activities. The AgWQM Act watershed planning process is begun by ODA once water quality issues in a watershed have been identified and a watershed plan is required by state or federal law. One example of such a "trigger" for the planning process is a listing under section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act.

ODA, in consultation with other state agencies, determines priority watersheds for development of AgWQM Area Plans. Through its locally based planners, ODA assembles a Local Advisory Committee consisting of stakeholders residing in the watershed. The committee is responsible for developing a draft action plan to address water quality issues arising from agricultural activities and soil erosion on rural lands. Under the AgWQM Area Plan, local operators will be asked to deal with identified problems such as soil erosion, crop nutrient loss from fields, or degraded streamside areas. The AgWQM Act provides flexibility so that landowners in each watershed are able to develop their own approaches to local problems. Farmers and ranchers are allowed to choose their own ways of meeting established water quality goals. ODA does not want to "sit in the tractor seat" with Oregon farmers and ranchers, but rather to give them an opportunity to manage their own business as long as they are following their local AgWQM Area Plan to help meet watershed goals and objectives. However, those who are asked to deal with a problem but continually refuse to do so could be assessed a civil penalty.

Benefits of the Agricultural Water Quality Management Act include:

• providing a mechanism for agriculture to address water quality issues in watersheds identified as water quality limited
• maintaining flexibility for landowners to address site specific issues to meet overall water quality goals
• promoting coordinated watershed planning and avoids "one size fits all" approaches
• helping landowners and others understand the cumulative effects and benefits of individual actions
• providing a forum to summarize and present the actions being taken by agriculture to overcome water quality problems resulting from agricultural activities

Click here to be taken to the "Plans & Publications" page for a summary of the Ag Water Quality Management Plan for the Molalla-Pudding-French Prairie & North Santiam Subbasins. This plan applies to most of Marion County. Click here to see a map of the state showing all Ag Water Quality Management areas. Information on this section was obtained from the Natural Resources Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. You can see their website for more information.

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The Marion SWCD is an equal opportunity employer, providing services to the public without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political belief, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

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Marion Soil and Water Conservation District
650 Hawthorne Avenue SE, Suite 130
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 391-9927
Fax: (503) 399-5799
E-mail: marion.swcd@oacd.org
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday thru Friday (except federal holidays)

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