They will have one year after the rules are passed to sign up for the training. Applicators will then be expected to attend the training within 4 years that will be conducted by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. If nutrient management is a way to prevent nutrient overdosing, then controlled drainage is therapy. The concept is simple. By reducing the amount of water leaving a field, farmers reduce the nitrogen that leaves as well.
Controlled drainage is accomplished when water control structures are installed in drainage ditches.
The control structure works something like a faucet. Boards are installed in the structure to regulate water flow, creating mini dams. During the summer however, when fish kills are known to be high, controlled drainage keeps the water in the field and the nutrients from entering an area's already fragile water system. It works in two ways. During dry years, controlled drainage may completely eliminate out-flow.