Rocky Mountain National Park
Air Quality Initiative
Affecting Change Through Collaboration:
An Industry Driven Approach
April 3, 2013
From Waste to Worth: “Spreading” Science & Solutions
Phyllis Woodford
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Environmental Agriculture Program
Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview
Background & History of the Rocky Mountain National Park Initiative
Selected Approach - Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan
Colorado Ag Industry’s Efforts
RMNP Agriculture SubcommitteeLessons Learned
Next Steps
Background & History Background & History Air Quality Issues in RMNP
Visibility Elevated Ozone Increasing Nitrogen Deposition
2004 Call For Action Petition Environmental Defense Colorado Trout Unlimited
3 Agencies Form the “RMNP Air Quality Initiative” National Park Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Programs in place to address ozone and visibility Ozone State Implementation Plan Regional Haze State Implementation Plan
No regulations and/or programs to address nitrogen deposition concerns Stakeholder meetings held to discuss concerns Voluntary approach selected
Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan (NDRP) Plan developed by NPS, EPA and CDPHE Endorsed by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division - August 2007
Rocky Mountain National Park AQ InitiativeRocky Mountain National Park AQ Initiative
Nitrogen Deposition Reduction PlanNitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan 25-Year Plan
Progress evaluated at 5‐year intervals starting in 2007 with a goal of achieving the “critical load” in 2032
Critical Load Science‐based threshold under which adverse ecosystems effects do not
occur: 1.5 kilograms per hectare per year
Baseline conditions (2000 – 2004) 3.1 kilograms per hectare per year
2012 2017 2022 2027 2032
2.7 kgN/ha/yr
2.4 kgN/ha/yr
2.1 kgN/ha/yr
1.8 kgN/ha/yr
1.5 kgN/ha/yr
Nitrogen Deposition Reduction PlanNitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan
Significant Aspects of the Plan1) Identifies sources of nitrogen and ammonia to the park.
2) Uses an adaptive management approach based on collaborative process.
3) Voluntary approach, no mandatory requirements or standards
4) Includes strategies to achieve goal.
5) Includes potential reductions from existing state air quality plans.
6) Identifies options that can be implemented on a voluntary basis.
7) Includes a contingency plan process if milestones are not met.
Nitrogen SourcesNitrogen Sources2002 NOx Statewide Emissions
NOx Reduction EffortsNOx Reduction Efforts
NOx Reductions Leveraging benefits from existing programs (ozone & haze)
Reduction Assumptions Cleaner burning fuels New tailpipe standards Oil & gas controls on flares, tanks, engines Stationary sources emission controls
Planned Nitrogen ReductionsPlanned Nitrogen Reductions
Ammonia SourcesAmmonia Sources
Ammonia Reduction EffortsAmmonia Reduction Efforts
Agriculture – Best Management Practices (BMPs) Livestock Operations Cropping
Point Sources Wastewater Treatment Plant Controls
Domestic Area Sources - BMPs Fertilizer Application to lawns, parks, golf courses, etc.
Other Area Sources - BMPs Land Application of Biosolids
2006 – the RMNP Agriculture Subcommittee was formed
Goals Bring agriculture’s voice to the table Be proactive in addressing the issue Review the science and data, and agricultural trends Science before policy
Colorado Ag Industry’s EffortsColorado Ag Industry’s Efforts
RMNP Agriculture SubcommitteeRMNP Agriculture Subcommittee
Colorado Livestock Association
Colorado Dairy Producers
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
Colorado Corn Grower’s Association
Colorado Association of Wheat Growers
Colorado Farm Bureau
JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding
Colorado State University
La Luna Dairy Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Rocky Mountain Agri-Business Association
Environmental Defense Fund
CO Swine Producers•Seaboard Foods•Mountain Prairie•Midwest Farms•Ogier and Associates•Murphy Brown of Yuma•Heritage Farms
Agricultural Consultants
CO Association of Conservation Districts•West Greeley Conservation District•Boulder & Longmont Conservation Districts
USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Park Service
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Subcommittee AchievementsSubcommittee AchievementsAchievements To Date
Voiced need for a voluntary approach to allow time for ammonia BMPs to move from research to ground-level and implementation
Developed the Ag-related chapters of the Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan and the Contingency Plan
Identified gaps in the state’s ammonia inventory
Directed federal and state dollars to ammonia/BMP research
Organized outreach efforts (Symposiums, Fact Sheet, Presentations)
Documentation of agriculture’s efforts to reduce ammonia from livestock and crop production activities, including survey of current practices
Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedSeasonality
Ammonia emissions from agricultural areas are seasonal•Identifies the need for seasonal management practices•Early Warning System, especially during spring and fall
Animal NutritionNutritional Trials - managing crude protein and phase feeding can reduce the amount of ammonia emitted from the animalImpact on animal performance/muscle still unknown
Growth Hormones/Implants High cost and societal concerns
More Research Needed Large scale nitrogen balance studies needed to quantify how much
ammonia is lost during specific manure handling practices such as breaking manure mounds, turning compost, land application,
pumping lagoon effluent to a center pivot, etc.
Next StepsNext Steps
VOLUNTARY REDUCTIONSProven & Cost Effective BMPsEarly Warning System Pilot
INCENTIVESNRCS Ammonia/Nitrogen AQ Initiative
Targeted Approach BMP Implementation through EQIP
BROADER STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENTGreen Industries (Sod Growers, Greenhouses, etc.)MunicipalitiesOther States
Next StepsNext Steps
RESEARCHAmmonia-based BMPsEmission Reduction Quantification
INVENTORY DEVELOPMENTImproved ammonia emissions inventories
INCREASED PARTNERSHIPSProjectsResources
DOCUMENTATIONDocument successes and failuresAg Certainty
Air quality issues at RMNP are a long-term problem.
Actions being taken today are shaping the dialogue, course and process.
There are a lot of pressures on agriculture. The voluntary approach is vital to researchers and producers.
Need to be thinking holistically about all environmental issues facing agriculture.
Ag industry needs certainty built into voluntary efforts.
Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks
Thank you
Phyllis WoodfordColorado Department of Public Health and
EnvironmentEnvironmental Agriculture Program
Denver, CO 80246