Updated: 8/19/09

Nutrient Management Plans

Dairy:  All newly licensed dairies are required to have an "approved" Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) on site within 6 months of licensing, and a "certified" NMP on site within 2 years of licensing.   

"Approved" NMP- The plan has been approved and signed by the local conservation district as meeting the checklist.

"Certified" NMP - A two part certification: 1)The plan has been certified by the local conservation district when the plan elements are in place and implemented, and 2) The plan has been certified by the livestock operator when the operator certifies that he/she is implementing the plan as written.

Dairy NMP Minimum Elements

CAFO:  All permitted CAFO's, dairy and non-dairy, are required to have a nutrient management plan that meets the CAFO permit requirements established by Ecology in the July 2006 General CAFO permit or in an individual CAFO permit.

Existing CAFO's - NMP must be updated and implemented by January 31, 2008. 

New CAFO's - NMP must be submitted with the CAFO permit application.

CAFO NMP Minimum Elements

All Dairies and CAFO's are required to have their Nutrient Management Plans and records on site.

The Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) are individually designed to satisfy the requirements of Washington State's Dairy Nutrient Management Act and/or the CAFO permit requirements.  The purpose of the NMP is to provide the facility manager with a system that allows operation of the livestock facility while preventing pollution or degradation of waters of the state. 

Each basic function of the operation - production, collection, storage, transfer, treatment and use - is covered.  The basis for nutrient management is agronomic use of the solid and liquid components of manure.  If followed, the plan will help facilities meet existing regulations and will also protect both surface and ground water from contamination by the operation. 

The objectives of the plan include:

• Preventing discharge of contaminated waste water to streams, drainage ditches, or other surface waters from the facility

• Preventing migration of contaminants from the facility to the underlying aquifer

• Using facility nutrients to supply crop nutrient needs at rates and times tailored to reach realistic yield goals.

• Meeting the requirements of the Dairy Nutrient Management Act of 1998 (RCW 90.64), the Clean Water Act and compliance with Federal, State And local laws regarding water quality standards.

The term "waters of the State" is defined at RCW 90.48.020 which includes but is not limited to:

• Lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, inland waters, underground waters, salt waters

• All other surface waters and watercourses within the jurisdiction of the state of Washington.

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