part ii: defining soil disturbance - new jersey · 2014. 12. 12. · plow layer - the soil that is...
TRANSCRIPT
Part II: Defining Soil Disturbance
Rutgers Study Conclusions
• Effects of Compaction on Soil • Soil structure destroyed • Plant growth negatively affected • Natural hydrology circumvented • Increased water runoff/pollution hazard • Soil compaction not easily or rapidly remediated • Compacted soils have increased risk of greater subsequent
compaction • Subsoil compaction is a long-term and possibly unsolvable
problem. • Soils compacted for engineering purposes are permanently
changed. • Soils compacted for engineering have a nearly impermeable
surface layer or compacted layer.
SOIL DISTURBANCE NOT SOIL DISTURBANCE
“The degree and depth of the disturbance by compaction, as well as soil type,
influences whether a remedy is possible or feasible, or whether the damage is permanent.
- Rutgers Assessment of Soil Disturbance on Farmland
”
Rutgers Study Conclusions Degrees of Soil Compaction
Rutgers Study Conclusions
The study did not consider size and scope of disturbance, just the type of disturbance.
1. Most minor to significant negative practices can be remedied through various cultural practices, however, increasing costs (time, money) may be prohibitive and reduction in crop yield or quality may be depressed for periods of time. 2. Soil under almost any condition can be improved, but there is potential for a loss of productivity if the soil structure has been irreparably harmed.
Rutgers Study Conclusions
A vertical cross-section of soil showing the characteristic horizontal layers or horizons of the soil, which have formed as a result of the combined efforts the combined effects of parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and time.
“Surface Layer” means the soil that is ordinarily moved in normal tillage, or its equivalent in uncultivated soil, and is designated the Plow Layer or the Ap soil horizon.
“Subsurface Layer” means the soil horizon described by NRCS in the Soil Survey Report as the part of the soil profile below the surface layer.
“Subsoil” means the soil horizon described by NRCS in the Soil Survey Report as the part of the soil profile below the subsurface layer
Soil Profile
Definitions
Plow Layer - the soil that is moved in normal tillage, otherwise known as the Ap soil horizon (average maximum thickness in New Jersey of 12 inches). Common acceptance of plow layer nomenclature - same definition in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. Commonality of soil disturbance standards - U.S. Forest Service considers compaction of forest soils greater than 12 inches major soil disturbance. USDA-NRCS, for cultural resources compliance, considers activities below the plow layer to constitute soil disturbance.
Soil Profile
SUBSURFACE
SUBSOIL
SURFACE
Definitions
“Tillage is generally accepted as a routine and acceptable agricultural practice.”
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.
• Generally accepted agricultural practices for seedbed preparation and cultivation of soil
-Rutgers Assessment of Soil Disturbance on Farmland
Moldboard plowing Disking Chisel plowing Etc.
Normal Tillage
Definitions
Normal tillage is limited to the depth of the surface layer, designated as the plow layer, which is the Ap Soil Horizon.
http://wmearthcare.com/everyday-soil-science-4-bulk-density-porosity/
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/node/565
An indicator of how well plant roots are able to extend into the soil, calculated as the dry weight of soil divided by its volume
Bulk Density
Definitions
Soil Compaction
Any activity other than normal tillage that results in: • An increase in soil bulk
density or consolidation OR • Reduces a soil’s capacity to
infiltrate water Examples: • Preparing or using land for
the placement of engineered structures such as • Footings • Foundations • Earth-retaining
structures • Parking areas, or • Roadways
• Unless specifically identified by the Committee as an exempt agricultural practice.
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G1555
Definitions
Soil Movement
• Modification of the soil profile including
– Grading
– Smoothing – Leveling – Cutting – Filling – Importation of soil – Exportation of soil
• Unless specifically identified by the Committee as an exempt agricultural practice.
• Soil movement does not include normal tillage
Definitions
Soil Disturbance = • Soil Movement
• Soil Compaction
• The placement of:
– Asphalt
– Concrete
– Gravel
– Millings
– Other similar materials
Unless specifically identified by the Committee as an exempt agricultural practice.
Definitions
Unimproved Farm Lane –
Unsurfaced
Used to access production fields
Not frequently or intensively used
Not Considered Soil Disturbance
“It is the degree of attendant soil disturbance and not merely the use of geotextile that determines the effect of this kind of disturbance”
-Rutgers Assessment of Soil Disturbance on Farmland
Geotextile Fabrics - Permeable, woven and non-woven fabrics that allow for water infiltration into the underlying soil.
Not Considered Soil Disturbance
Hoophouses Not Considered Soil Disturbance
Solar Panels
Not Considered Soil Disturbance
Part III: Quantifying Soil Disturbance
Part V: Exemptions, Waivers, and Remediation
Part V: Exemptions, Waivers, and Remediation
Exemptions
Specific Exemptions: – Negligible Impact on Ag Use of the Soil
Resources – Subsurface drains – Irrigation pipelines – Irrigation storage reservoirs – Grass waterways, – Utility lines designed to service the premises only – Livestock watering pipelines – Deep tillage
General Requirements: • Must be an agricultural practice • Must be otherwise compliant with DOE
Exemptions
Irrigation Storage Reservoir
• Ponds, tailwater recovery storage areas, etc. when used for irrigation.
• Part of an approved and implemented farm conservation plan
Exemptions
– The use of geotextile fabrics and temporary plastic provided that no asphalt, concrete, gravel, millings, or other similar materials are utilized.
http://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/weed-control-in-re-used-plastic-mulch/
Exemptions
Unimproved Farm Lane
• Unimproved farm lanes
Exemptions
• Surfaced
• Connect Fields
– Improved Farm Lanes up to 1% of the Premises Acreage
Exemptions
Improved Farm Lane Example: 100 acre farm can have up to 1 acre of exempt improved farm lane 4356 linear feet @ 10’ wide 2904 linear feet at 15’ wide 2178 linear feet @ 20’ wide
Exemptions
• Soil disturbance created solely by third party property interests in the premises, such as utility easements and road rights-of-ways
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/natural-gas/news/2010/04/pipelineinfo
Exemptions
– Other agricultural practices consistent with the intent of this subchapter and approved by the Committee.
Exemptions
Part V: Exemptions, Waivers, and Remediation
Waivers
Activities that do not diminish the agricultural productivity of the land
CRITERIA • Homogenous soil profile • Subsoil remains largely intact and
functioning as an agricultural soil • After soil disturbance, the minimum
rooting depth exists over a restrictive layer
• Site maintains pre-disturbance agricultural production capacity
• Site can achieve agricultural productivity standards referenced in remediation.
Waivers
Shallow Bedrock is a Restrictive Layer
• Example: – Topsoil Stockpiled on site
– Uniform Subsoil >10’ deep
– Subsoil capable of acting as an agricultural soil
– Still suitable for pre-disturbance uses
Waivers
General Requirements: – Required by federal or state law
OR – Soil or water conservation practice
• Eligible for cost share • In approved conservation plan • Approved by committee
Waivers All other waiver requests must meet the following requirements
A soil disturbance project that meets at least one of the general conditions shall also meet ALL the following criteria:
• No feasible alternative to project on or off
premises • Can not be installed on exception area • Can not be installed on prior disturbed
area • Disturbance is minimized • Otherwise compliant with DOE • Not required to address self imposed
hardship*
Waivers
Failure to address stormwater management or other DEP rule that was required at the time the disturbance was created Failure to address a violation of the DOE in order to build production practices
*Examples of Self Imposed Hardships
Waivers
Part V: Exemptions, Waivers, and Remediation
Remediation
• Grantor may, with prior written approval of the Committee, reduce the extent of soil disturbance on the Premises.
Step 1. Develop and Implement a remediation plan
Step 2. Demonstrate satisfactory performance of post remediation testing.
• Committee will determine if remediation was successful and pass resolution to that effect
• Acres remediated will not count toward the soil disturbance limit unless disturbed again.
Remediation
Susan E. Payne, Executive Director Jeffrey C. Everett, Chief of Agricultural Resources David M. Clapp, Resource Conservationist State Agriculture Development Committee P.O. Box 330 Trenton, NJ 08625 609-984-2504 [email protected]