Upper Susquehanna Coalition BMP Implementation Data Collection Project Introduction and Instructions – June 2004

This page is designed to introduce the reader to the process that has been developed for cataloging agricultural Best Management Practice implementation in the New York portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Upper Susquehanna Coalition has developed a GIS-based data management system for archiving this information. This page contains links to documents that provide detailed descriptions of each type of BMP that can be entered into the USC database. The data collector is required to read and understand what each BMP is, the landuse that it can be applied to, and the cataloging units that are associated with it. Each link on this page contains the information associated with each BMP that is needed to populate the database correctly.

The following is a detailed instruction list for collecting and entering BMP data into the USC system.

Step 1 – Mark Farm Locations On USGS Topo Map

The first step is to obtain farm locations on a recognizable map. The USC Data Manager will provide the data collector with a three ring binder for each county that contains all of the USGS Topo maps that cover the Upper Susquehanna Basin portion of that county. The data collector will use a permanent marker to make a dot on the map for each farm with a USC ID number for a label. The USC Data Manager will also provide a second three ringed binder with the first 100 data entry forms in it. The data collector is responsible for copying any additional forms needed.

Farm location does not need to be exact as in GPS coordinates with centimeter accuracy. A general point that is in the correct 11 digit watershed is all we need. In some cases a farm can be spread across more than one 11 digit sub-watershed. In this case, there are a couple of options that can be used depending on what type of BMP is in question. If there are field-level BMPs or farm-wide BMPs then a farm point should be located in each adjacent watershed as close to each other as possible. If the BMP is dealing with a confined animal lot or feeding site then the farm point should be located where the practice is taking place.

If the county has NYS AEM data, the AEM farm locations should be available from the SWCDs as ArcView point shapefiles with an AEM ID number. The data collector should draw the farm points on the map and label them with a new USC ID number (see data entry dictionary below) and the AEM ID number before you meet with the District staff in an effort to minimize work and duplication.

Step 2 – Schedule A Meeting With District BMP Contact and Fill Out The Forms

After the farm locations are drawn as points on the maps, the data collector will need to schedule a meeting with each Soil and Water Conservation District BMP contact person. (See List) When meeting with them, the data collector will have paper copies of the “USC BMP Assessment Form”. The data collector is responsible for printing out enough additional copies so that there is one sheet for each farm point. These forms will be filled out with the District BMP contact as completely as possible. The links on this page will address any questions that might arise as to what exactly a BMP is or what type of landuse that BMP is applied to. The data collector should read through the links on this page for all of the BMP information sheets. The USC Data Manager can provide hard copies to anyone interested. The data collector should carry hard copies as a reference guide.

If there is a BMP that has been implemented on a farm that is not on the BMP list, the data collector can enter it in the other category. There is enough space for two additional “other” BMPs. The data collector should also make notes on each sheet as appropriate. There is a section on the paper and digital entry forms for notes. The data collector should note anything that might be useful in the future.

Upper Susquehanna Coalition BMP Assessment Form and Data Entry Dictionary

The following are the data entry fields from the USC BMP Assessment Form which can be downloaded as a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet here.

USC BMP Assessment Form - Excel Version.xls

Note that the Excel file has 2 worksheets, the first is the front page of the assessment form and the second is the back page.

 

 

 

USC ID # - This number will be the unique identifier that will match the farm id number. It will begin with a three letter code for each county and then a four digit number. The county codes will be as follows:

AEM ID # - This number will be entered if the farm has been assessed as part of the NYS Agricultural Environmental Management, Tier I or Tier II Worksheet. If there is no AEM ID number then leave blank.

USC FI ID # - This number will be entered if the farm has been assessed as part of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition's Farm Inventory Program. If there is no FI number then leave blank.

County - Enter the county where the farm is located.

Town - Enter the town where the farm is located.

Date - Enter the date (06-21-04) when the assessment was filled out.

Farm Type - Chose the farm type from the following list that best describes the farm being assessed.

Crop Acres - Enter the total acres of field crops associated with or worked by the farm.

Pasture Acres - Enter the total acres of pasture land associated with or used by the farm.

 

Livestock - Check the box for each type of animal present on the farm and enter the total number of individual animals present on the farm. If the animal units are known, enter that as well if not, leave blank. If the ages/sizes of animals are known (for instance, adults and calves) enter data into the notes section of the assessment. If there is another type of animal present that is not listed, mark other and list what type in the notes section.

 

 

 

 

 

Notes - Enter anything that may be of interest to the assessment or unique to the farm. For example if it is a CAFO operation.

 

 

 

 

BMP Types - For each BMP type, enter units requested in the table for each landuse. For example, Riparian Grass Buffers can be applied to Conventional Till, Conservation Till, and Pasture. If Grass Buffers are present, enter the total acres that have been implemented on each landuse type. Then enter the total acres implemented under the CRP/CREP programs for each landuse type.

If there are BMPs implemented on the farm that are not listed (not accepted in the CBP Model) enter them under the “other” type.

Step 3 – Double-Check The Forms and Maps and File

After the assessment form has been filled out, the data collector should make sure that the USC farm ID number that was written next to the point drawn on the map matches the USC ID number entered in the assessment form and then file in the three-ring binder.

There is a printout of the ArcGIS data entry screen that will be used to enter the data into the USC geodatabase available to download here.

BMP Assessment Form - ArcGIS Version.jpg

Detailed instruction on how to use the ArcGIS entry system will come later in a training session provided by the USC Data Manager. The data collected for the farm locations and BMPs implemented on each farm will be archived in the USC ArcGIS geodatabase system that will be available to each county SWCD . The geodatabase system will allow for future BMP entry and tracking by each SWCD. The USC will provide the data and training on how to use the system and incorporate it with the District's existing GIS system.

Chesapeake Bay Program BMP Information and Downloads

If you have any questions about BMPs and what they are, refer to the following documents available for download through the links provided by the Chesapeake Bay Program.

For detailed information how the Chesapeake Bay Program's Watershed Model will use this BMP data, download Appendix H here.

Appendix H.pdf

Click Here for the following documents…

BMP Basics (1.1 MB) - This document provides a public-friendly description, photograph, and examples of each nonpoint source best management practice that is credited in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model BMP Efficiencies (115 kb) - The Chesapeake Bay Program's current listing of nonpoint source best management practices that can be credited in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

Point Source Nitrogen Reduction Fact Sheet (191 kb) - This document provides information on point source nutrient reduction technologies, pollutant load reduction benefits, and costs.

BMP Questions and Answers (48 kb) - A compilation of commonly asked questions and answers regarding Chesapeake Bay watershed best management practices and landuses.

Technical Definitions for Agricultural BMPs (110 kb) - This document provides a more in-depth and technical description of each agricultural BMP than is provided in the public-friendly BMP Basics.

Technical Definitions for Urban BMPs (21 kb) - This document provides a more technical description of each urban BMP with more examples of practices than is provided in the public-friendly BMP Basics.

BMPs Under Consideration (31 kb) - This document summarizes new BMPs under consideration for inclusion in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

Policy for Adding New BMPs to the Model (123 kb) - This policy outlines the process for getting a new BMP approved for use in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

Contact the Upper Susquehanna Coalition Data Manager, Chris Yearick phone (607) 796-5378 or email at cdy3@cornell.edu