The LCCD employs an Agricultural Resource Conservationist to administer Pennsylvania’s Act 38 Nutrient and Odor Management Program in Lehigh County. All Nutrient Management Plans are submitted to the Conservation District, where they are reviewed and then recommended to the District Board for approval. Act 38 (previously Act 6) requires that all high-density animal operations develop and implement a Certified Nutrient Management Plan. A high-density animal operation is any operation with more than 2,000 pounds of live animal weight per acre of land where manure is applied. Farms with less than 8,000 total pounds of animals on the farm are excluded from this regulation, regardless of density.

• Example: 12 horses (each weighing 1,000 pounds) on 4 acres of land.
• 12000 lbs of animals/ 4 acres = 3000 pounds per acre (regulated farm)
• Example: 6 horses (each weighing 1,000 pounds) on 2 acres of land.
• 6000 lbs of animals/ 2 acres = 3000 pounds per acre (not a regulated farm)

These high-density animal operations are referred to as Concentrated Animal Operations or CAO’s. Currently, in Lehigh County, there is only one CAO with a Certified Nutrient Management Plan. However farms that are not required to participate may still do so as Volunteer Animal Operations or VAO’s. Lehigh County currently has four Volunteer Animal Operations with Certified Nutrient Management Plans. Regulations and plan format are the same for VAO’s and CAO’s.

There are various cost-share programs available to farmers for assistance with plan development and implementation. The Plan Development Incentives Program (PDIP) provides assistance in paying for the development of a Certified Nutrient Management Plan. The Nutrient Management Plan Implementation Grant Program (NMPIGP) provides up to 80% cost share funding ($75,000 max) to farmers with financial need for installing conservation practices outlined in the Nutrient Management Plan. The Plan Maintenance Program provides funding to farmers who need to update their Nutrient Management Plans to comply with current regulations.

Although Certified Plans are strongly encouraged, the LCCD can provide farmers with Nutrient Balance Sheets. This is a simplified Nutrient Management Plan that addresses the amount of manure produced on the farm, the crop nutrient needs, when and where manure should be applied, and the rates of manure application. While these types of plans may improve farm profitability and water quality, they do not provide the farmer with limited liability protection or cost-share opportunities.

For more information about Nutrient Management in Lehigh County, please contact the Conservation District at (610) 391-9583 ext. 20 or visit the PA Nutrient Management Program Interagency Website, which is an excellent source of information about regulations, educational courses, etc.