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What is the Agriculture Pollution Abatement Program?

Ohio's Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program (APAP) may provide farmers with cost share assistance to develop and implement best management practices (BMP) to protect Ohio's streams, creeks, and rivers. This program has been successful in helping to alleviate concerns associated with agricultural production and silvicultural operations which can create soil erosion and manure runoff.

 
The following practices are eligible for funding:
Animal waste storage structure
Settling basins and filter strips
Critical area protection
Off-stream watering and stream crossing stabilization
Roof and gutters
Water diversions
Grassed waterways
Water and sediment control basins
Erosion control structures
Wetland treatment facilities
Manure and mortality composting facilities
Heavy use areas
Swine manure aeration systems
Tile outlet control for liquid manure
 
History of the Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program
  2001 Resource Management Specialists hired by the Division, 1 in each of the 5 Area's .
  1993 Coastal Zone nonpoint management measures become effective requiring states to greatly expand their legal control of all major sources of pollution and have programs in place by July 1995.
  1992 By the end of 1992, Ohio has nearly 150 statewide and local nonpoint pollution education, technical assistance, and implementation projects underway.
  1991
H.B. 88 is passed expanding the Division's authority to control agricultural and silvicultural pollution. ODNR initiates a nonpoint source education program through SWCDs.
  1989
Ohio's Nonpoint Source Management Program is approved by USEPA and Ohio begins to receive federal funds for its implementation. The 1989-91 biennium budget provides general revenue funds for nonpoint source pollution projects and creation of a manure and nutrient management progra
  1988
Based on the advisory board's recommendations, a bill is introduced requiring enforcement for agricultural and silvicultural erosion, increasing penalties for pollution, and granting emergency authorities.
  1987
Clean Water Act amendments require states to prepare nonpoint source management plans; the Division and SWCDs take the lead in preparing and implementing nonpoint programs and projects thereby broadening the pollution abatement program.
Technical advisory boards are reformed and make specific recommendations for expanding agricultural and urban pollution abatement
  1982-85
Cost-sharing continues, but at a reduced level; over 100 pollution problems corrected at a ratio of $1 state funds: $4 private and federal; four orders written, but resolved out-of-court.
  1980-81
Pollution abatement specialists hired with state funds in 7 districts and $400,000/year authorized for cost-sharing.
  1979
Erosion control standards for agricultural, silvicultural, urban storm water are adopted, as were rules for animal waste pollution, cost sharing and pollution abatement agreements with SWCDs.
  1978
H.B. 513 enacted authorizing the Division to set standards for agricultural, silvicultural and urban erosion control, and animal waste; cost sharing for agricultural erosion and animal waste pollution; enforcement for animal waste pollution.
  1975
Legislation introduced to create Ohio pollution abatement program.
  1972-74
Technical advisory boards meet to discuss needs, over 40 public meetings held on boards' recommendations.
  1971
OFSWCD directors endorse legislative changes to protect Ohio's air and water from agricultural pollutants and urban sediment. S.B. 305 passed defining Division, OSWCC, and SWCD responsibilities for agricultural and urban sediment pollution, and creating two technical advisory boards.
  1970
State sediment pollution abatement conference held to discuss legislation and state and local programs needed.
  1969 S.B. 160 is passed authorizing the Division and SWCDs to undertake Conservation Works of Improvement for riparian protection, erosion and water pollution control and other environmental measures.

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution occurs when precipitation picks up contaminants and carries them to a watercourse.

The APAP is administered by Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Soil and Water Conservation and implemented locally by all 88 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Farmers wanting to know more about the program need to contact their local SWCD for technical and potential financial assistance. Dependent upon the BMP being installed, the program offers three levels of funding caps

  • high($15,000)
  • medium ($10,000)
  • low ($5,000)

Each funding level has a 75% cost share rate "not to exceed"? a total of $15,000 per producer per year.

Why Participate?

This program has the potential to provide agricultural producers with state funds to alleviate burdens associated with the cost of the practice. This voluntary approach is perceived as environmentally friendly and good for livestock.

In addition, it has the ability to strengthen neighbor relationships and can alleviate potential resource concerns that may otherwise lead to a complaint if left unmanaged.

Pollution Abatement Cost Share Forms

Complaints

Brochures

Equine Brochures

Timber Harvest Notice of Intent/Timber Harvest Plan Form

Estimating Load Reductions For Agricultural and Urban BMPs