Site characteristics described in a USDA-NRCS soil survey often are used by permitting authorities as part of the site approval process. In this module, training participants learn how to find site information in a soil survey, and how the survey can be used to assess site suitability for biosolids application. Participants will be introduced to soil descriptions, soil maps, and ways of integrating data found in different sections of a soil survey report.
For basic training, participants should be able to locate a proposed site on a soil survey map, list the soil series present, and find the corresponding soil profile description. In a 1- or 2-day comprehensive training workshop, you probably will not have a full hour session on site suitability. You can show participants how to use a soil survey in the same session with other site-related items in Training Module 6.2, "Biosolids Application." Another alternative is to briefly discuss soil survey information in connection with Training Module 5.2, "Calculation of Agronomic Rates."
An in-depth knowledge of soil science principles related to site suitability often is not needed by biosolids managers, because the local permitting authority assumes the responsibility for assessing site suitability.
This topic can be expanded to a half- or full-day workshop for advanced training (a
3-hour workshop on this topic was received enthusiastically by participants at a Northwest
Biosolids Management Association annual meeting). Other advanced workshops could be
targeted towards consultants, managers of larger land application programs, and regulatory
officials involved in the site approval process.
Oregon State University Manual 8 (full reference given below) is an excellent resource for
an advanced workshop. It uses soil characteristics found in the soil survey to rank site
suitability, and to identify major site limitations.
Visit field sites during advanced workshops to do a "hands-on" site assessment. If you are unable to go to actual field sites, you could do a shorter "case study" workshop in the classroom, using data from a particular site, together with criteria presented in OSU Manual 8. Procedures for developing a case-study problem are described in "Innovative Presentation Methods: Case Study Problem."
Session 1: Lecture (20 minutes) included with Training Module 5.2, "Calculation of Agronomic Rates." Basic soil science principles applicable to site suitability.
Session 2: Lecture (20 minutes) included with Training Module 6.2, "Biosolids Application." Example showing maps and soil information submitted to local permitting authority for site approval.
Session 1: Private consultant
Session 2: Biosolids manager
Session 1: Notes to accompany slide presentation
Session 2: Example soil data submitted for site approval
Session 1: Slides
Session 2: Overheads
Agricultural site design. Chapter 4 in: Biosolids management guidelines for Washington State. Washington State Dept. of Ecology Publication 93-80. Olympia, WA. (Revised edition available in 1999.)
Guide to soil suitability and site selection for beneficial use of domestic wastewater biosolids. Manual 8, Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis, OR.
Site evaluation and selection process; Phase II site evaluation. Chapters 5 and 6 in: Process design manual, land application of sewage sludge and domestic septage, EPA-625-R-95-001.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
United States Dept. of Agriculture home page:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/USDA-NRCS Soil Survey Division
http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/osd/
Official soil series descriptions
Professional site management practices are perhaps the most important aspect of a biosolids management program. Sloppy site management usually will lead to failure of a biosolids management program, even if biosolids are of excellent quality and public information activities are appropriate. In this module, participants will learn the key site features that should be considered in designing an application plan, and EPA rules that apply to site management. Participants will become familiar with map reading, buffer delineation, application equipment calibration, and record keeping.
The topics covered in this module are of critical importance for biosolids managers. The other modules lay the foundation for this module, which gives practical guidance on the management of application sites. For basic training, do not cut back on this module. A minimum of 2 hours is needed for thorough coverage of the need-to-knows.
This session should give participants a step-by-step outline for managing an application site. Site management is a blend of regulatory requirements, common sense, and continuous tracking of actual vs. planned management activities. The ideal presentation would be a group presentation including the local permitting authority (EPA, state, or other), a biosolids manager with an excellent site-management program, and a land manager (e.g., a farmer) with extensive biosolids experience.
A general discussion of biosolids quality and soil/landscape characteristics that affect site suitability should precede this session. In this training manual, these topics are addressed earlier in Training Module 2.1, "Biosolids Quality-EPA Part 503 Requirements" and Module 6.1, "Site Suitability."
This training module focuses on agricultural site management practices. An advanced workshop could cover site management practices for other kinds of application sites (e.g., forests or rangelands). See "Topics and activities for extended training" later in this module for workshop suggestions on nonagricultural site management.
High technology options for application site management. Precision agriculture technology offers new possibilities for site management. Precision agriculture tools include global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), yield monitors, and site-specific weather data. Probably the most immediately applicable technology is the use of GPS to accurately determine acreage and delineate buffer areas. A precision agriculture workshop could be held at an educational institution or library where a "classroom" of computers is available.
Biosolids application at nonagricultural sites. Biosolids can promote vegetation establishment and increase the productivity of many kinds of nonagricultural sites, including forests, Christmas tree farms, poplar plantations, rangelands, and drastically disturbed sites (e.g., urban sites or mining sites). For an advanced workshop, a biosolids manager, a land manager, and a regulator could highlight important site selection, permitting, and management considerations for a specific kind of nonagricultural site.
Three lecture sessions (each 50 minutes):
Session 1: EPA requirements and site record keeping and reporting methods
Session 2: Maps, buffers, landowner agreements, calibration of liquid application equipment
Session 3: Farmer viewpoint. Case study of application site management at a large commercial farm over a 6-year period.
Sessions 1 and 2: Biosolids managers
Session 3: Land manager/farmer
Session 1: Selected components of an annual report for field sites submitted by a biosolids production facility to the local permitting authority. The annual report demonstrated compliance with EPA Part 503 regulations and state requirements.
Session 2: Information sheets, maps, calculation templates, and records kept by the city for a typical biosolids application site
Session 3: No handouts. Topics include the suitability of various biosolids application methods, how biosolids have provided a benefit to the farm, how biosolids application records for a site are recorded, and how livestock grazing is managed.
Session 1: Slides with selected information from handout materials
Session 2: Overheads (same as handouts)
Session 3: Slides
Example: Site authorization or site approval from your local permitting agency specifying required site management practices.
Example: Description of the procedure followed by a local biosolids production facility to obtain site approval from the local permitting authority. The description could include information given to landowner, example calculations, calibration data, site maps, and application records etc.
Process design for agricultural land application sites; Process design for forest land application sites. Chapters 7 and 8 in: Process design manual, Land application of sewage sludge and domestic septage, EPA-625-R-95-001.
Agricultural site management; Forest site design and management; Other beneficial uses of biosolids. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 in: Biosolids management guidelines for Washington State. Washington State Dept. of Ecology Publication 93-80. Olympia, WA. (Revised edition available in 1999.)
Applier management practices; Grower management practices. Chapters 4 and 5 in: Manual of good practice for agricultural land application of biosolids. California Water Environment Association.