Some counties do not have any soil and water conservation staff. Each county must be assured that they have at least one person hired to plan and administrate this program. Not all rural nonpoint pollution comes from farms. Many counties have serious nonpoint pollution problems related to shoreland development and other land use changes. This program must support their needs as well as counties having large numbers of farms.
Critical sites are the most serious sources of nonpoint pollution in the watershed.
If these sites are not addressed, fixing up many smaller problems will not result in water quality improvements. Critical sites are currently not a part of these rules. The implementation of these rules should not be delayed if planning, technical support, and cost sharing are available. Nutrient management planning in particular will save farmers money in the long run because they will buy less commercial fertilizer. There is no reason to delay these rules.