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March 16, 2001

Who's in the crosshairs next?

If, as a consequence of the Lake Waco controversy, dairies are removed from the North Bosque watershed and the algae growth continues, Ned Meister, Texas Farm Bureau Commodity and Regulatory Activities director, believes upstream row crop farmers may be in the crosshairs next.

"Obviously, the biggest secondary target is row crop agriculture. If the algae bloom persists, City of Waco leaders will probably assume that is causing the problems. They may decide we need to have permits, or cause some unreasonable regulation of the application and utilization of fertilizer," Meister suggested. "That is what the Brazos River Authority (BRA) plans to focus on in the Leon River watershed—crop fertilizer and animal operations."

Meister indicated that all other animal agriculture, including free-ranging animals, could come under scrutiny as well. As foolish as it may seem, Meister said fencing could be required for buffer zones, tributaries and dry waterways that channel water into the system.

"Think like they think"

"I'm not going to second guess anything. I've got to try to think like they think. The truth of the matter is that Lake Waco has always had a problem, has a problem now and will always have a problem, as do many lakes in the state of Texas—especially when lake levels are low and it continues to be warm. Those are two major factors that contribute to algae growth and excessive blooms," he observed.

Meister uses his bully pulpit any time a discussion on water quality arises to urge producers to be circumspect and proactive in their approach to the daily activities of their individual operations.

"First, I think it would behoove all producers to check with their local soil and conservation district and arrange to have a water quality plan designed for their operation and then go about implementing that plan. S.B. 503, administered by the Texas State Soil and Conservation Board, provides for it," the regulatory specialist explained. "Most importantly, if everybody will think about their daily activities in their operation, and as they go through those activities and different tasks that they do, think how they could do it better with respect to water quality. They should be asking themselves the question, `What can I do that would lessen my chances of contributing to water quality problems?'"

Another program, Tex*A*Syst, administered in Texas by Texas A&M University, gives producers a planning tool for evaluating their operations. According to Meister, Tex*A*Syst allows a farmer to look at his operation and determine if there are things he can put into place that will help manage non-point sources.

"The ag community must take it upon themselves to get out ahead of the curve, to do some of these things to ensure they are doing the best they can. It doesn't take a lot of money, just attention," said Meister.

Industry commended

Meister commended the dairy industry for their efforts to self-police and keep their local community better educated on the steps they have already taken and continue to take to protect the environment.

"I think that's a good idea, to put to rest concern in a community of the potentials of any ag operation to cause a problem. Going forward, it's going to take an effort by farmers and ranchers to know the tools they are using to minimize impacts. Everybody's going to have to be aware and be proactive, not only in implementing these measures, but in demonstrating that they are doing what they can be doing," he said.