Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: MID-ATLANTIC DRINKING WATER PROGRAM: 14 drinking water clinics were held across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware during this reporting period (11 VA, 1 MD, 2 DE). More than 400 people attended these clinics (327 VA, 17 MD, 90 DE). 26 Extension Agents (12 VA, 14 MD) and 40 well owners (all in VA) trained as Master Well Owners. PRECISION FEED MANAGEMENT FOR DAIRY AND BEEF: 3 certification trainings were held (2 dairy, 1 beef). The training prepares nutritionists, consultants, veterinarians and NRCS staff for the exam that they must take to get certified. 3 plan-writing workshops were also conducted in this reporting period. The workshops are follow-up trainings for certified feed managers to learn how to write plans for dairy producers. 8 presentations were made at various meetings/conferences. MAWP members are also working with NRCS on tracking reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen on contracted herds. This data should be available in late 2012. SELECTING STORMWATER BMPS UNDER UNCERTAINTY: With funding from the EPA ($111,768), members of one of the MAWP's partner universities developed a decision-making model assists in selecting appropriate stormwater controls based on partial and uncertain information. The tool extends beyond traditional approaches to selecting stormwater. The MAWP hosted a workshop, in which more than 20 of the model's target audience tested it. CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS SUPPORTED BY THE REGIONAL LIAISON: Continued providing guidance to the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership on reducing Cryptosporidium levels in the Potomac River -> devised outreach messages on the issue of Cryptosporidium and coordinated a webcast on the issue. The webcast led to an article in a local newspaper. The Regional Liaison continued working with the Chesapeake Stormwater Network to host a series of webcasts addressing stormwater management issues -> 3 of the 4 webcasts were held in the current reporting period. Partnered with the Conewago Creek Conservation Initiative by funding a survey of watershed residents. This survey, based on the Social Indicators for Planning and Evaluation System Handbook developed by the Great Lakes Regional Water Program, aimed to understand the kinds of conservation work on the ground; attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, knowledge of watershed residents; opportunities for education and intervention. This survey was conducted in conjunction with the wider conservation effort in which the EPA designated the Conewago as a "Showcase Watershed" for its integrated partnership approach to achieving Chesapeake Bay restoration goals. The survey received relatively high response for a mailed survey. Of the nearly 200 farmers who were sent a survey, 51% responded; and, of the 1500 non-farming households that received a survey, 40% responded. CO-SPONSORED EVENTS: Local pharmaceutical collection site for the national DEA Take Back Initiative (September 2010, April 2011); Regional Workshop, "Chesapeake Bay Goal Line 2025: Opportunities for Enhancing Agricultural Conservation" (October 2010); National Conference, "TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality" (November 2010). PARTICIPANTS: MID-ATLANTIC DRINKING WATER PROGRAM:Delaware Department of Health, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Delaware/Maryland Water Well Association, Maryland Department of Health, National Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center, Southeast Rural Communities Assistance Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Water Well Association, State Extension Staff; PRECISION FEED MANAGMENT: Natural Resource Conservation Service, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Chesapeake Bay Foundation; POTOMAC RIVER BASIN DRINKING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION: City of Frederick (MD), City of Hagerstown (MD), City of Rockville (MD), Fairfax Water, Frederick County (MD), Loudoun Water, Town of Leesburg (VA), Washington Aqueduct Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington County (MD), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), District of Columbia Department of Environment, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Maryland Department of the Environment, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, US Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; STORMWATER PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION: Chesapeake Stormwater Network; CONEWAGO CREEK CONSERVATION INITIATIVE: Dauphin County Conservation District, Lancaster County Conservation District, Lebanon County Conservation District, Tri-County Conewago Creek Association, South Londonderry Township, Lebanon County, Elizabethtown College, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center, PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Fish and Boat Commission, USDA PA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, USDA Agriculture Research Service, United States Geologic Service , United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Susquehanna River Basin Commission , USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Environmental Credit Corporation, ZedX Corporation, American Farmland Trust, Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council TARGET AUDIENCES: Homeowners, Producers, Well-owners, Nutritionists, Consultants, Veterinarians, NRCS staff, Stormwater managers, Agency staff, Decision-makers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
MID-ATLANTIC DRINKING WATER PROGRAM: VA -> 29% of participants will seek additional water testing; 27% will work to determine the source of pollution; 23% will shock chlorinate their water system; 18% will pump out their septic system; 13% will purchase or rent treatment equipment; 15% will grade the area around their well or have maintenance performed on their system; 12% will work to improve the functioning of existing treatment equipment; 12% will use bottled for drinking and/or cooking; 9% will reduce herbicide or fertilizer use around the well; 84% will test their water annually or every few years; 80% plan on discussing what they learned by participating in the clinic with friends, family or neighbors, and report planning to share this information with an average of three other people each. MD -> 59% increase in pre- and post-test scores, 12% showed no change, 29% decreased scores; 63% will seek additional water testing; 63% will plan to be more careful with activities within 50-ft of their well or spring; 63% plan on seeking more information about water treatment devices; 44% plan on inspecting their well to ensure it is properly constructed to prevent contamination. DE -> 43% plan on inspecting their wells or springs to make sure they are properly constructed; 64% plan on being more careful with activities within 50 feet of their well or spring; 50% plan on seeking more information about water treatment devices. PRECISION FEED MANAGEMENT FOR DAIRY AND BEEF: The number of nutritionists that are certified to write dairy feed management plans increased from 1 in 2010 to 20 in 2011. With the introduction of the beef component, 3 nutritionists were certified to write feed management plans - an increase from zero in 2010. With 51 farms contracted with NRCS in 2011 for Feed Management, MAWP members surpassed their goal of establishing 40 contracts and exponentially increased the number of contracts from the 4 contracts set in 2010. Pennsylvania is recognized by ARPAS and NRCS as having the most successful program in Feed Management across the country. SELECTING STORMWATER BMPS UNDER UNCERTAINTY: Feedback received from the attendees was generally positive, with many acknowledging the value of a tool for both meeting stormwater management requirements as well as expediting the site plan review process. Workshop participants also pointed out gaps in the model that, if fixed resolved, could provide much greater utility to the tool. The model developers noted the feedback and will evaluate the feasibility of incorporating the suggestions in the model. CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS SUPPORTED BY THE REGIONAL LIAISON: Partnered with colleagues from the University of Maryland Extension and School of Public Health to leverage funding and capacity to expand private well water sampling and drinking water education. The University of Maryland Extension awarded this effort with an additional $9,840, and additional funds have been sought through other University grants and foundation funding. Conewago Survey -> results will help determine how the partners engage community members through programs and practices that will help achieve restoration goals.

Publications

• PRECISION FEED MANAGEMENT FOR DAIRY AND BEEF: 2011. Monthly newsletters; feed management checklists and templates for dairy herds (fed) and beef herds (fed and pasture-based).
• Torres, Chris. 2011. "Experts Provide Cryptosporidium Prevention Tips." Lancaster Farming 03 Dec. 2011. 01 Dec. 2012 .
• Abdalla, C.W., J.R. Drohan, and J.C. Becker. 2011. "River Basin Approaches to Water Management in the Mid-Atlantic States." 01 Dec. 2012 .
• Pee, D. 2011. "Climate Change, Agriculture, and Water Resources: Climate Change Conference Summary Document." 01 Dec. 2012 .

Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: PROJECT-SPECIFIC OUTPUTS: 1. VA Master Well Owner Network: 25 volunteers and 13 extension agents were trained, bringing the total number of trained volunteers in Virginia to 56, and the total number of trained extension agents to 39. 16 drinking water clinics were also held in VA, reaching more than 640 well owners. Follow-up surveys were sent to all participants who previously attended Drinking Water Clinics in MD. 2. Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: 1 certification training was offered to prepare attendants for the accredited certification exam. 3 plan-writing workshops were provided as follow-up trainings for certified feed managers to learn how to write plans for dairy producers. ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES: 1. "River Basin Approaches to Water Management in the Mid-Atlantic States": This publication, which assesses regional organizations that work at the intersection of water quality and water quantity, is nearly complete and will be going to press in the near future. 2. Extension Publications on Nutrient Use Efficiencies: A planning meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2010 to discuss the topics and information that should be included in resources for improving nutrient management in the Mid-Atlantic region. The resources will be completed by April 2011. 3. K-12 Drinking Water Curriculum: The development of a curriculum on drinking water resources and their protection is nearly finalized. The curriculum is based on Standards of Learning for K-12 education in MD, VA, and DC. Once finalized, the curriculum will go out for external review. CONFERENCES: 1. The MAWP partnered with several other organizations to sponsor the conference, "Ecosystem Based Management: the Chesapeake and Other Systems." Along with sponsoring the conference, MAWP members planned a session on nutrient management in the region. 2. The MAWP hosted a regional conference on climate change, agriculture, and water resources. Conference participants included agricultural, environmental and climate change scientists. The conference goals were to review the state of climate change in the Mid-Atlantic and discuss the development of decision-making tools to sustain agricultural productivity and environmental preservation in the Mid-Atlantic. PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS BY THE REGIONAL LIAISON: 1. Drinking Water Source Protection: The Liaison helped the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership, a regional partnership of water utilities and federal/state agencies, devise outreach messages on the issue of Cryptosporidium pollution and coordinated a webcast on the issue. The webcast, which the Liaison also acted as a presenter, was an opportunity to use the audience as a test group for the messages and to survey participants for recommendations on how to provide greater outreach on this issue. (http://www.aec.cas.psu.edu/resources/webinar_library.asp) 2. Local Planning and Implementation Needs: In partnership with the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, the Regional Liaison conducted a needs survey of MS4 Phase II managers and staff. Two webcasts addressing stormwater management issues were also provided. PARTICIPANTS: MID-ATLANTIC DRINKING WATER: 1) PIs: Brian Benham, Corrie Cotton, Erin Ling, Gulnihal Ozbay 2) Partners: Delaware Department of Health, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Delaware/Maryland Water Well Association, Maryland Department of Health, National Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center, Southeast Rural Communities Assistance Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Water Well Association, State Extension Staff PRECISION FEED MANAGEMENT FOR THE DAIRY INDUSTRY: 1) PIs: Virginia Ishler, Rick Kohn, Charles Stallings 2) Partners: Natural Resource Conservation Service, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Chesapeake Bay Foundation NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCIES: 1) PIs: Josh McGrath, Tom Basden, Doug Beegle, Greg Binford 2) Partners: Cornell University DRINKING WATER CURRICULUM: 1) PIs: Asmare Atalay, Corrie Cotton, Wellela Hirpassa 2) Partners: Ag-in-the-Classroom, Local Grade Schools Drinking Water Source Protection Partners: City of Frederick (MD), City of Hagerstown (MD), City of Rockville (MD), Fairfax Water, Frederick County (MD), Loudoun Water, Town of Leesburg (VA), Washington Aqueduct Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington County (MD), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), District of Columbia Department of Environment, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Maryland Department of the Environment, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, US Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection STORMWATER PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER: Chesapeake Stormwater Network EBM CONFERENCE CO-SPONSORS: Chesapeake Research Consortium, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, CICEET, Chesapeake Bay Trust, The Keith Campbell Foundation, Maryland Sea Grant, US EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, US FWS Chesapeake Bay Office, and USGS. TARGET AUDIENCES: Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Project: Well owners Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: Nutritionists, consultants, veterinarians and NRCS staff working with dairy producers Nitrogen and Phosphorous Use Efficiencies: Producers "River Basin Approaches to Water Management in the Mid-Atlantic States": scientists, agency staff, and water professionals Drinking Water Curriculum: K-12 Teachers and Students Drinking Water Source Protection Partners: Producers Local Stormwater Planning and Implementation Partners: Stormwater managers and engineering professionals PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
PROJECT-SPECIFIC IMPACTS: 1. Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Program - For this reporting period, initial evaluations from participants that attended drinking water clinics in VA show that: a) 28% said they will seek additional water testing; b) 21% said they will work to determine the source of pollution; c) 20% said they will shock chlorinate their water system; d) 19% said they will pump out their septic system; e) 17% said they will purchase or rent treatment equipment; f) 15% said they will grade the area around their well or have maintenance performed on their system; g) 10% will work to improve the functioning of existing treatment equipment; h) 10% will use bottled or another source of water; i) 7% will reduce herbicide or fertilizer use around the well; j) 79% will test their water annually or every few years; k) 75% plan to discuss what they learned by participating in the clinic with friends, family or neighbors, and report planning to share this information with an average of three other people each. Follow-up evaluations were also sent to all previous participants of drinking water clinics. 37.7% of the 45 people educated in the drinking water clinics responded and survey results show that: a) 43.8% said they have tested or plan to have their water tested; b) 18.8% said they have shocked or plan to shock chlorinate their well or spring; c) 50.0% said they have been more careful with activities within 50 feet of their well or spring; d) 31.3% said they have researched or plan to seek more information about water treatment devices; e) 18.8% said they have purchased or plan to purchase a water treatment device; f) 18.8% said they have taken or plan to take some other action. 2. Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry - With few areas in the nation working with the dairy industry and NRCS on feed management, the Mid-Atlantic is being looked at as a potential standard for how other states can train nutritionists for feed management certification, and meet their post-certification, professional needs. As of Aug. 2010, 78% of the 88 certified nutritionists reside in Region 3. Since training is still underway for certified nutritionists, environmental and agricultural impacts are not yet available/measurable.

Publications

• http://agenvironment.blogspot.com. A new blog was developed to highlight the intersection of agriculture, particularly dairy production, and the environment. 2009.
• A "Dairy and the Environment" column in the "Lancaster Farming" newspaper has also been established. 2009.

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Project: During this reporting year, the MAWP hosted five full-day MWON trainings (2 in PA, 1 in WV, 2 in VA), and one 2-day MWON training, reaching 101 well owners and 17 extension agents. Twenty-six drinking water clinics were also held (2 in MD, 1 in DE, 7 in PA, 16 in VA), reaching over 1420 well owners. Mid-Atlantic Better Composting School: Twenty-four compost professionals participated in the class, held in October, to learn about commercial compost production, management, and business operations, as well as to prepare for the Maryland Composter Certification Test. Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: Members hosted one training to prepare attendees for the ARPAS certification exam, and two plan-writing workshops to teach certified feed managers how to write plans for dairy produces. were conducted in this reporting period. In January, the first edition of the "Dairy Management Newsletter" was distributed, with monthly installments following. Water Quality and Quantity Connections: The first draft of a regional publication was developed and the project members initiated a process for peer-review. Nitrogen and Phosphorous Use Efficiencies: Members of this project have collected information and identified topics to begin developing the tools and information needed for improved nutrient management in the Mid-Atlantic region. The writing will continue this spring and summer. Drinking Water Education for K-12 Teachers and Students: Team members have begun gathering information to develop the curriculum and purchasing groundwater models, non-point source pollution models, and water quality test kits to be used through a loan/borrowing system. Each member has also met with respective Ag-in-the-Classroom representatives and high schools in their states to discuss methods of collaboration for training high school and middle school science teachers in water quality and water resource protection Capacity Building and Coordination via the Regional Liaison: 1. Drinking Water Source Protection: Continued providing guidance to the Potomac River Basin Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership, a multi-state partnership of water utilities and federal and state governments that aims to reduce high levels of Cryptosporidium in the Potomac River, which they source-tracked to cattle farms. During this reporting year, the Liaison provided leadership in the education and planning process to develop an outreach effort to the agricultural community. 2. Local Planning and Implementation Needs: In partnership with the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, initiated a training program for MS4 Phase II stormwater managers to build the capacity to meet their permits. 3. Climate Change, Agriculture, and Water Resources: Initiated research and partnership building to implement a regional effort that will bring together climate scientists with agricultural and natural resource scientists for the purpose of developing tools and adaptive strategies needed to sustain agricultural productivity and environmental preservation in the Mid-Atlantic. PARTICIPANTS: Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Project: Delaware Department of Health, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Delaware/Maryland Water Well Association, Maryland Department of Health, National Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Ground Water Association, Pennsylvania Rural Water Association, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center, Southeast Rural Communities Assistance Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Water Well Association, State Extension Staff. Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: Natural Resource Conservation Service, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Nitrogen and Phosphorous Use Efficiencies: Cornell University. Drinking Water Education for K-12 Teachers and Students: Ag-in-the-Classroom, Local Grade Schools. Drinking Water Source Protection: City of Frederick (MD), City of Hagerstown (MD), City of Rockville (MD), Fairfax Water, Frederick County (MD), Loudoun Water, Town of Leesburg (VA), Washington Aqueduct Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington County (MD), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), District of Columbia Department of Environment, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Maryland Department of the Environment, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, US Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, US Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Local Stormwater Planning and Implementation: Chesapeake Stormwater Network, Mid-Atlantic Environmental Finance Center, Chesapeake Bay Trust. Climate Change, Agriculture, and Water Resources: USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USGS, US EPA Chesapeake Bay Science and Technical Advisory Committee. TARGET AUDIENCES: Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Program: Well owners who are often not trained or prepared for maintaining their private water systems Mid-Atlantic. Better Composting School: Commercial professionals working or managing composting operations Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: Nutritionists, consultants, veterinarians and NRCS staff working with diet development at dairy operations. Water Quality and Quantity Connections: Federal/multi-state, and state policy makers (e.g. Chesapeake Bay Program, Susquehanna River Basin Commission (RBC), Delaware RBC, Potomac RBC), regional water planning authorities within states, non-governmental organizations, watershed groups, farmers, rural residents, urban/suburban residents, citizens' and other interest groups, municipal/industrial water suppliers, wastewater treatment plants, private sector consultants, educational organizations, and extension faculty and staff. Nitrogen and Phosphorous Use Efficiencies: Producers, NRCS and other agency staff, decision-makers. Drinking Water Education for K-12 Teachers and Students: K-12 teachers and students. Drinking Water Source Protection: Veterinians, technical service providers, NRCS and other professionals working with dairy and cattle producers. Local Planning and Implementation Needs: MS4 Phase II stormwater managers who new to or unfamiliar with meeting Permit goals. Climate Change, Agriculture, and Water Resources: Climate and agricultural/natural resource scientists, agency staff, decision-makers, producers and agricultural industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Two of the projects outlined above have been implemented long enough to gauge impacts. The others are still in the process of implementation and can not be assessed for impacts at this time. Impacts that were assessed as outlined below. Mid-Atlantic Drinking Water Project: Follow-up reports from MWON volunteers show that PA volunteers made 5,239 contacts with other well owners, WV volunteers made 112 contacts, and VA volunteers made 93 contacts. Preliminary results from a survey of approximately 400 PA volunteers shows that an estimated 21,000 people have been educated since the program began and that volunteer contacts have been underreported by as much as 2,932 people since 2004. Follow-up surveys are planned for well owners who have been contacted by an MWON volunteer or attended a drinking water clinic to determine behavior change. Precision Feed Management for the Dairy Industry: As of Feb. 2010, 69% of the 88 certified nutritionists reside in Region 3. Nationally, with few other areas working with the dairy industry and NRCS on feed management, the Mid-Atlantic is being looked at as a potential standard for how other states can train nutritionists for feed management certification, and meet their post-certification, professional needs.

Publications

• Atalay, A, et al. 2008. Drinking Water Assessment in Virginia's Coastal Plain. Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Restoration, 4:53-64.
• Maguire, R., and J. McGrath. 2009. Manure Injection in No-Till and Pasture Systems. http://mawaterquality.org/publications/pubs/Manure Injection in No-Till System.pdf