Public Frequently Asked Questions

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• What is the duration of the project?

  The project will run from 2007 to 2011.

• What will this grant do?

  The goal of this project is to provide confidential, no-cost technical assistance to livestock operators that will identify and address potential environmental impact issues such as: nitrogen and phosphorus application, odor generation and other water quality issues.  It will help producers reduce contamination in water runoff and protect water and air quality.

• Will the project target special areas of concern or preference?

  Yes.  Attention will be given to facilities near water bodies on the 303d list of impaired waters especially if there is already a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan in place that indicates that the water may be impacted by animal agriculture.

• How will technical staff do implement the program?

   

  The technical staff (Service Provider) that will implement the program at the farm level will be a registered Technical Service Providers (TSP) listed on the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s TechReg website (http://techreg.nrcs.gov/).  A CLEANmp Service Provider must be a TSP registered for either CNMP Plan Development in at least one of the following categories: Land Treatment, Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage, Nutrient Management, or Total Plan; or Nutrient Management - Organic and Inorganic; or Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage.  In order to qualify to develop an NMP for an applicant (producer) that has an Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) a CLEANmp planner must have TSP registration under the following category: CNMP Plan Development-Total Plan.  They will conduct on-site visits at participating facilities. They’ll also develop comprehensive assessments of nutrient-driven environmental challenges facing the facilities. Producers will receive confidential, written assessment reports and, if requested, a nutrient management plan or review and practical recommendations.

• What size and type of livestock or poultry operations are eligible?

  Any legitimate animal feeding operation in the CLEANmp-west area can participate.  The map of States in this area is posted on the CLEANmp homepage.

• How much money is available for the comprehensive environmental assessment and nutrient management plans?

  $3.9 million.

• What’s the application process?

  The application will be available online soon.  Until the online application process is operational, producers can download and print the application. A Producer must complete a short application form that provides a brief overview of his or her operation and allows the Producer to select the type of project desired.  Once completed, an application can be mailed or faxed to SES. 

  To access this application, once the process is online, a Producer must register on this website as a "Producer."  Once this is done, he or she will have access to additional program documents and the project registration tools. Until the online application process is operational, a producer can download the application form from the "Registered Producers" tab on the right side of the "Producer" webpage.

• Is participation in this project voluntary?

  Yes.

• Is the information regarding a producer's operation kept confidential?

  Yes.  All non-Producer participants in this program sign legally binding confidentiality agreements to protect Producer-specific information.

• Will a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit be required?

  No.  Livestock operators do not need to possess or apply for a NPDES permit in order to receive technical assistance.  Furthermore, the results of these assessments are confidential and will not be used to impose NPDES requirements.