EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BRIEFING PAPER

July 23, 2015

LIVESTOCK EXCLUSION

Background and Issue

Farmers have long promoted good stewardship of the land. With fully one quarter of the Chesapeake watershed in agriculture, they are on the front line in promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly land use practices. Restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay is impossible without the cooperative stewardship of our farmers. While there are many examples of farm stewardship and agricultural practices that benefit the Bay, there are still some farming practices that deserve more attention. The recent report by the Chesapeake Bay Commission highlights one of the most significant near term opportunities: keeping livestock out of the streams while protecting the streamside vegetation that works naturally to limit the nutrient and sediment runoff, provide shade and stabilize the banks. Known as “livestock exclusion,” this best practice uses fencing and alternative water sources to draw livestock away from the streams. Particularly, when combined with riparian buffers, these practices can yield powerful, cost-effective and proven results.

For our farmers, keeping livestock out of the streams has been a long-term challenge. Livestock must have ready access to drinking water and in practice this means that livestock often drink from, and loiter in, both large and small tributary waters. When livestock are allowed access, they trample and erode stream bottoms, streambanks and streamside vegetation as they seek water to cool themselves and drink. This increases sediment erosion and nutrient runoff, while increasing water temperature. The direct deposit of feces and urine also contributes to nutrient pollution and high bacteria counts in the waterways.

For example, in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, there are over 3.5 million hoofed animals — livestock including dairy and beef cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats. Most of the livestock are grazed on the more than 2.4 million acres of pasture while some are kept in confined feeding operations. Either way, they are often located near streams. The net result is significant damage to hundreds of miles of streams and stream banks.

Despite the upland location of many smaller streams, the aggregated impact from livestock on all of these streams has been documented as a major source of nutrients, sediment and bacteria to the Bay. The Bay states are relying on riparian practices such as forest buffers, grass buffers and livestock stream exclusion to achieve over 18 percent of the nitrogen, 16 percent of the phosphorus, and 22 percent of the sediment goals for the Bay TMDL. These practices also have direct benefits to local water quality, while also benefitting farmers and their livestock through improved herd health.

Livestock exclusion is an important first step to improve stream health. When combined with vegetated, especially forested, buffers, the greatest benefits are realized. USDA programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a partnership between states and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are the primary source of funding for buffers.

While state programs can improve, there are specific actions that if taken by the United State Department of Agriculture would increase the attractiveness of exclusion and buffers and better integrate federal and state actions. Specific recommendations are delineated in the letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack.

Private Meeting Discussion:

  • Lead for Discussion – Delegate Lingamfelter
  • Recommended Executive Council Action: By motion, adopt attached letter to USDA Secretary Vilsackand request that it be signed and sent by Chairman McAuliffe on behalf of the council.

Public Meeting:

Recommended Communication Strategy for action (check all that apply):

___x__ EC Chair Announces Adoption of Letter(asks for comments by Delegate Linghamfelter during public meeting)

___x__ Action incorporated in the CBP Press Release

___X__ Signed document (See attached letter)