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Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Assessment and Planning Process

Farmstead CNMP Inventory Non-Engineering
  • Using aerial site photographs, maps, or sketches of the livestock operation, show the location of barns, heavy use area(s), silage storage, milkroom wastewater discharge or treatment site, including septic systems or drywells, manure storage, wells, clean water practices, and adjoining surface water.  Is all the manure generated on the farm captured by the manure collection system?
  • Provide a description of soils on the farmstead, including a discussion of soil leaching potential and soil surface runoff potential from Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST), as well as prime and statewide important farmland.
  • Complete Animal Waste Inventory Worksheet.
  • Complete Waste Volume and Nutrients Produced Worksheet.  Based on the Animal Units (AU) in Section 1.c., has the operation provided documentation that there is an adequate cropland base to dispose of the manure it generates?  Has the operation demonstrated control over the cropland used to utilize manure in accordance with a Nutrient Management Plan that meets the current NRCS standards for Waste Utilization (633) and Nutrient Management (590)?  Are adequate records kept?  
  • Are other wastes such as bio-solids, septage, waste feed, or whey applied to cropland receiving manure?  If so, are quantities documented and have proper nutrient credits been taken?
  • Is waste water from on-farm processes adequately collected, treated, or stored (milkhouse/parlor waste, bunker/silage leachate)?  Provide documentation.
  • Has an Emergency Action Plan been developed?  Does the plan address rescue procedures for accidental entry?  Assess potential for system failure?  Evaluate potential for accidental discharge of manure from storage and transfer systems?  Does the plan address the identified threats?
  • Is dead animal disposal (mortality) adequately addressed?
  • Are medical wastes properly disposed of?
  • Has a farm bio-security plan been developed and implemented?
  • Are there residents located near the livestock production facilities?  Are management practices in effect to reduce odors, pariculate matter and gases generated by production facilities and manure storage addressed?  If yes, provide details.
  • Is there a strategy in place to address tracking of mud and spillage during manure hauling?  If yes, provide details.
  • Are phosphorus levels in diet consistent with University of Connecticut recommendations?  Are records available?
  • Are visual screens utilized around the production facilities and manure storage structures?
  • Is the well properly protected from surface water runoff, contamination by manure and damage by vehicles?
  • Are there abandoned wells on the site?
  • Are pesticides stored or mixed at the farmstead?  Are there bulk quantities of other chemicals (sanitizers, acids, fertilizers, etc.) stored on site?
  • Are petroleum products stored at the farmstead?
  • Complete NRCS CPA-52 Form - Environmental Effects for Conservation Plans and Areawide Conservation Plans.
Animal Outputs - Manure and Wastewater Collection, Handling, Storage, Treatment, and Transfer Engineering Inventory
  • Do waste transfer, storage, and treatment facilities (manure/wastewater) meet current NRCS Technical Standards?  Provide documentation.
  • What is the current manure storage capacity in months?  What is the manure storage capacity if the operation expands to maximum projected AU numbers (see Section 1.d.), in months?
  • Does the manure storage capacity include an accurate estimate of manure and wastewater production by type/source (see Section 1.d.)?
  • Is clean water excluded from the manure storage system?  
  • Have required operation and maintenance (O&M) practices/activities been identified, documented, and implemented?  Are records available?
  • Are there limitations to the existing site including property boundary, wetland/watercourse, well setbacks, depth to bedrock, depth to high water table (see Sec. 1.b.) that could limit future expansion?  If yes, have other locations been considered?  Provide details.
Send Draft Assessment Write-Up to Producer for Review, Additions, Corrections, and Decision
  • If Producer Decides to Proceed with the Planning Process, Re-Draft Assessment and Schedule Inter-Agency Meeting with Producer, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, USDA-Farm Service Agency, and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to Review and Prioritize Resource Concerns.
  • Finalize Assessment and Draft CNMP and Review With Producer.
  • Finalize CNMP After Review by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Submit for Approval or Permit.
  • Approved or Permit CNMP is the Basis for EQIP Program Application.

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