NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT POLICY: PENNSYLVANIA VIEWS ABOUT PROGRESS, CHALLENGES, ANDFUTURE DIRECTIONS

摘要

Decision makers interested in agriculture and water quality issues will gain insight from Pennsylvania’s 10year experience with nutrient management policy. The Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Act, passed in 1993 andimplemented in 1997, was the first state law to require nutrient management plans for certain farms (concentrated animaloperations - CAOs) based on animal density. In summer 2002 we conducted 28 interviews with a diverse set ofknowledgeable people from an array of agencies and organizations and challenged to describe an ideal nutrient managementprogram and identify measurable indicators of a success. Interviewees envisioned a science-based, accountable andcomprehensive program addressing all farms causing water quality problems, adapting to new problems such as phosphorus,using a broader systems or watershed approach, and addressing all nutrient sources. This paper will provide insight intonutrient management policy challenges, identify future policy directions, and indicators of program performance and success.