The Agricultural Water Quality Program protects water quality by ensuring compliance with Oregon law. The Program improves water quality by supporting agricultural landowners with outreach, technical assistance, and funds to implement land-management practices that protect water quality.
The program works closely with Oregon’s 45 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The SWCDs provide landowners with technical and financial assistance.
What does this mean for my farm?
There are water quality rules for farms and ranches in Oregon. ODA created 38 watershed-based regions, called Water Quality Management Areas. These Management Areas each have a management plan called an Area Plan and assorted Area Rules. Compliance with the Area Rules, or regulations, is required by law. The Area Rules ensure that all landowners do their part to prevent water pollution.
Area rules were created to be region specific. However, there are two rules in common throughout the state:
- Streamside vegetation must be allowed to establish and grow. Vegetation is required to provide shade, filtration, and bank stability. Shade is required on all perennial streams.
- Waste must not enter waters of the state. Waste must not be placed where it could enter waters of the state. Waste is any substance that can cause pollution to water. This includes excess sediment, manure, pesticide drift, and more.