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Special Area Land Treatment (SALT) Overview
Provided by funding through the one-tenth-of-one-percent parks, soils and water sales tax of Missouri, the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Special Area Land Treatment (AgNPS SALT) program is offered through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Soil and Water Conservation Program.
The program allows county soil and water conservation districts to direct technical and financial assistance to landowners with land identified and prioritized as having water quality impairments that address agricultural nonpoint source pollution problems. Success of these projects is dependent on the cooperation of numerous partners using a variety of tools to accomplish project goals.
Nonpoint source pollution is defined as pollution that cannot be traced to any one source and is more difficult to control. Therefore, agricultural nonpoint source pollution is non-traceable pollutants resulting from production agriculture in a specified area.
Examples of agricultural nonpoint source pollution include:
- soil erosion, which results in sedimentation in a waterbody
- excessive nutrient loading from animal waste runoff
- excessive pesticide runoff in cropped areas
- possible increases in pathogenic organisms in water supplies caused by improper animal waste management
- inefficient irrigation systems causing pesticide, nutrient and soil concentrations on agricultural lands
- overgrazing
The Mission
The mission of the AgNPS SALT program is to "improve, protect and maintain the water quality of the State of Missouri through the prevention and reduction of agricultural nonpoint source pollution using a watershed-based approach."
The Goals
Goals of the AgNPS SALT projects include, but are not limited to:
- reducing pesticide and nutrient runoff from cropland,
- improving pasture management,
- reducing soil erosion off agricultural land,
- improving animal waste management,
- protecting and enhancing riparian corridors, and
- raising awareness of agricultural nonpoint source water pollution issues.
Project Details
- Projects should target watersheds between 20,000 to 60,000 acres.
- $750,000 is the maximum amount of funding available per project.
- Projects must be 5, 6, or 7 years in length.
- Watershed must be a complete topographic watershed, subwatershed, or 14-digit HUC.
- Priority is given to projects that address waters on the 303(d) list or Unified Watershed Assessment (UWA).
- Any practice or incentive used in the AgNPS SALT projects must provide demonstrated water quality benefits.
Partners
Partners can greatly contribute to the success of an AgNPS SALT project and are an essential element in success of these projects. Participation may be in the form of financial contributions, technical assistance, publicity, sponsorship or other types of support.
Examples of partners may include but are not limited to:
- Missouri Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
- Missouri University Outreach and Extension (UOE)
- Farm Service Agency (FSA)
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Water Protection Program (WPCP)
- Environmental Regional and Satelittle Offices
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- Ducks Unlimited (DU)
- Quail Unlimited (QU)
- County Commission
- Local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs)
- Local agri-businesses
- Local newspapers
- Local schools
