Agricultural Water Quality Management Area
Oregon’s Agricultural Water Quality Management Act requires landowners to prevent and control water pollution from agricultural activities and soil erosion. This mandate led to the adoption of Water Quality Management Area Plans and Rules throughout Oregon.
Area Plans provide information on water quality issues and recommend management practices.
Area Rules describe requirements for agricultural landowners to protect water quality. Landowners must:
· keep excess manure, fertilizer and soil out of streams and irrigation ditches, and
· encourage vegetation along streams for shade, bank stability, and filtering pollutants from runoff.
Oregon Department of Agriculture enforces these requirements.
Landowners are responsible for conditions under their control. They are not responsible for conditions that are natural or a result of other landowners’ activities or unusual weather events.
Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for technical and financial assistance. Ask them for your copy of the Area Plan and Rules.
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