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ODA's Agricultural Water Quality Plans and TMDL Implementation Plans

The Oregon Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Water Quality Program focuses on preventing and controlling water pollution from agricultural activities and soil erosion on rural lands. The program ensures that farmers and ranchers meet water quality standards and adhere to pollutant load allocations assigned by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in its Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

oregon.gov

Diagram showing TMDLs: sources include non-point load (runoff), background load (natural), waste load (municipal/industrial).
TMDLs include background loads, non-point loads, and waste loads, all contributiong to the load allocation, waste load allocation, and margin of safety. Photo courtesy of: https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/

Key components of the program include:

  • Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plans: These plans are developed for 38 designated areas across Oregon, each outlining strategies to address local water quality issues.geohub.oregon.gov
  • Compliance and Enforcement: ODA develops plans and ensures rule compliance to prevent and control water pollution from agricultural activities and soil erosion on rural lands.oregon.gov
  • Grants and Financial Assistance: The program offers grants to support voluntary water quality improvement projects, helping landowners implement practices that align with management area plans and initiatives.oregon.gov

These efforts collectively aim to maintain and improve water quality standards across Oregon's agricultural landscapes.

 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ODA'S AGRICLTURAL WATER QUALITY PLANS AND TMDL IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

Or, copy and paste url into browser: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/natural-resources/agwq/Pages/default.aspx

Logo of the Oregon Department of Agriculture with a stylized sun and fields design.