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<br />0010~? <br /> <br />permits consideration of economic ability. The use of management practices and stricter <br /> <br />standards would ensure a more su=sfu] pollution control program. <br /> <br />State imoosed reouirements, Some states are beginning to address agricultural pollution <br /> <br />but there is more that could be done to ensure that irrigation districts accept a share of the <br /> <br />responsibility for agricultural pollution control. States could be very specific, and require that <br /> <br />the districts implement best management practices in areas identified with water quality <br /> <br />degradation. The State of Nebraska has enacted legislation that gives the State Board of <br /> <br />Agriculture the authority (not the mandate) to require districts in designated areas to <br /> <br />implement best management practices. The program developed under t1m legislation also <br /> <br />provides for education and financial assistance,3 Although the concept is good, progress is slow <br /> <br />because the State Boald has been reluctant to impose requirements on the districts, The <br /> <br />program could benefit from the development of standards that must be followed by the Board <br /> <br />in deciding whether to impose the requirements on a district, and from the setting of specific <br /> <br />deadlines that must be followed by districts in canying out the requirements, <br /> <br />Other forms of specific legislation to force district action include: (1) the authorization <br /> <br />of a new category of special district that would be required to carry out agricultural pollution <br /> <br />control objectives; or (2) the designation of certain geographic areas as non point source <br /> <br />problem areas, with the requirement that certain action:; must be taken or practices modified <br /> <br />3 One participant commenting on this draft report added that, in a recent visit to <br />Nebraska, membenof the University of Nebraska involved in the extension program were <br />trying to come up with 8 way to undo their earlier oversell of the use of chemical fertilizers <br />and pesticides. They are hoping to "retrain" farmers. Perhaps Districts could help with this <br />effort. <br /> <br />34 <br />