Nutrient Management Strategy Reviewer's Checklist

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Nutrient Management Strategy Reviewer's Checklist

Author:	OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date:	31 March 2006
Last Reviewed:	18 September 2009

We are updating this page to reflect current regulations.

Information on this page about regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and the Environmental Protection Act is out of date. On September 18, 2009 new regulations affecting those applying non-agricultural source materials on agricultural lands were filed. Please visit www.ontario.ca/nasm-omafra for more information.

The information contained in this document is derived from the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and O. Reg 267/03 as amended. Every effort has been made to make it as accurate as possible, but it is not authoritative. Please refer to www.e-laws.gov.on.ca or the official volumes printed by Publications Ontario for the authoritative text of the act.

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Nutrient Management Strategy Reviewer's Checklist

This checklist is a tool used by Nutrient Management Specialist and Engineers to review Nutrient Management Strategy applications using the NMAN software or the Nutrient Management Strategy Application form. This checklist is an aid for reviewers and should not be used as reference for the components required within a Nutrient Management Strategy. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 are met for regulated farms. Metric units of measurement are used in this checklist followed, where applicable, by imperial conversions in parentheses. In many cases, these conversions have been rounded up to the next full unit. In all cases, the NM Act, Regulation, and Protocols take precedence over this document. We reserve the right to update or amend this document.

Applicant Name:	Phone: ( )
Facility Description:	Fax: ( )
Prepared by:	Phone: ( )
Company:	Fax: ( )
Received At:	First Review Date:
Date of Receipt:
Reviewer:	Final Review Date:

Nutrient Management Strategy

Y (Yes) or NA (Not Applicable) must be checked on all of the following points to achieve an approval for a Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS).

A. Farm Unit Declaration

1. Documentation that shows that the NMS/P was prepared by a certified individual (certification number provided). Reg. 100-103	Yes	No	NA
2. A completed Farm Unit Declaration Form has been included. NM Pro. 5.2.1.3	Yes	No	NA

B. Overview of the Operation

3. An overview of the operation for the NMS has been included giving a reason for submission, the type and size of the operation, an overview the livestock facilities, the prescribed materials being produced and/or received and cropping and management practices. The description may also provide details for any additional documentation requirements and identify whether or not NASM are used as part of this Farm Unit.
NM Pro. 5.2.1.2

Yes

C. Farmstead Sketches

4. A layout of the farmstead is included with: a) Location of nutrient generation facilities and storage(s), including Permanent, temporary and proposed generating facilities. Permanent, temporary and proposed storage facilities and sites. Dimensions of all generating and storage facilities and sites. Note: Any building or nutrient storage plans attached will only be reviewed to verify the nutrient storage capacity or livestock and poultry housing capacity. NM Pro. 5.2.1.5	Yes	No	NA
b) The location of all known wells, tile inlets and surface water that are present within the scope of the sketch.	Yes	No	NA
c) The distance of the identified well(s), surface water and tile drain surface inlets to the nearest permanent nutrient storage facility. NM Pro. 5.2.1.5	Yes	No	NA
d) The identified well(s) exceed the following setbacks from new or expanding permanent nutrient storage facilities: 100 m (328 ft) from municipal wells; 15 m (50 ft) from drilled wells with > 6 m (20 ft) watertight casing that are at least 15m (50 ft) deep; 30 m (98 ft) from any other well, if that facility is designed to store only agricultural source materials; or, 90 m (295 ft) from any other well, if the facility is designed to store non-agricultural source materials. Reg. 63(1)	Yes	No	NA
e) The identified tile inlets and surface water demonstrate a minimum flow path of 50m from the nearest new or expanding nutrient storage facility; Reg. 63(3)	Yes	No	NA
f) run-off management systems (e.g. vegetated flow paths, vegetated filter strip systems) For Vegetated filter strip systems (VFSS) the sketch must show location and dimensions including: location and dimensions of the extended VFSS area location and dimensions of any permanent vegetated area of flow path associated with a VFSS.	Yes	No	NA

D. Ag-source Material Production and Nutrient Storage Size

5. a) Nutrient storage calculations on new and expanding buildings were based on the OMAFRA housing capacity guidelines. If not, adequate information is provided to verify the housing capacity used. NM Pro. 5.2.1.6	Yes	No	NA
b) Nutrient storage calculations on existing buildings were based on the OMAFRA housing capacity guidelines. If not, a statement about the declared usage is included. NM Pro. 5.2.1.6	Yes	No	NA
c) Ag-source material production calculations on all buildings were based on the OMAFRA housing capacity. If not, a statement about the declared usage is included. NM Pro. 5.2.1.6	Yes	No	NA
6. Documentation supporting animal weights is attached when the average animal weight is less than the default value in MSTOR or Table 3.1 of the NM protocol. NM Pro. 5.2.1.6	Yes	No	NA
7. For incoming prescribed material transfers, proper documentation is included. Proper documentation may include one or more of the following: Broker Agreement Nutrient Transfer Agreement Incoming Transfer Summary in NMAN Table 4.2 in the Nutrient Management Strategy Application form NM Pro. 5.2.1.4	Yes	No	NA
8. The nutrient storage meets the following criteria: a) A minimum of 240 days of storage for all ag-source materials and AD output being produced and/or imported onto the farm; or Reg. 69(1) 69.1 (1); 98.10(1)	Yes	No	NA
b) fewer than 240 days and documented by: i. broker agreements with a frequency appropriate to the ag-source and AD output material volume production in the NMS; Reg. 69(5) 69.1 (5)	Yes	No	NA
ii. transfer agreements with a frequency appropriate to the ag-source material and AD output volume production in the NMS; Reg. 69(2) 69.1 (2)	Yes	No	NA
iii. period of use (i.e. ag-source and AD output material generation period); Reg. 69(6) 69.1 (6)	Yes	No	NA
iv. demonstrating the availability of land for ag-source material and AD output application (e.g. Storage Capacity Graph in NMAN or an equivalent calculations). This is not applicable for new or expanding liquid nutrient storages. Reg. 69(3) 69.1 (3)	Yes	No	NA
9. The liquid nutrient storage has a minimum freeboard of 30 cm. (1 ft). The only exception is a freeboard of 15 cm (0.5 ft) for a permanently covered non-slatted floor storage. NM Pro 5.3.43.9
10. The annual ag-source material and AD output production volume calculated using MSTOR or other methods, corresponds to the volume entered in NMAN or Table 4.1 of the Nutrient Management Strategy Application Form.	Yes	No	NA

E. Nutrient Storage Design and Siting

11. For operations that are less than 300 NU and using a new earthen based permanent nutrient storage, documentation is provided showing that >0.5 m of C or D type soil exists between the floor of the pad and an aquifer or bedrock. Reg. 80(c)	Yes	No	NA
12. For new or expanding permanent nutrient storages requiring a professional engineer's design, the signed Engineer Commitment Certificate is included. (except new or expanding storages that meet Section 62) NM Pro Part 12	Yes	No	NA
13. If a runoff management system is specified, the additional criteria outlined in the Runoff Management Appendix of this checklist are satisfied.	Yes	No	NA
14. When temporary storage is specified, the additional criteria outlined in the Temporary Storage Appendix of this checklist are satisfied.	Yes	No	NA
15. When an anaerobic digester is specified to handle off-farm materials and does not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Facility Appendix, a certificate of approval is in place for the facility.
16. When an anaerobic digester is specified to handle off-farm materials and does not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Facility Appendix, a certificate of approval is in place for the facility.
17. When non-agricultural source material is specified to be stored, the additional criteria outlined in the Non-Agricultural Source Storage Appendix is satisfied.
18. Documentation showing that new or expanding permanent earthen nutrient storage facilities are not located within existing the regulated flood lines established by the Municipality or Conservation Authority, or a permit issued under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act has been included. Reg. 63(4)	Yes	No	NA

F. Destination of Prescribed Material

19. For outgoing prescribed material transfers, proper documentation is included. Proper documentation may include one or more of the following: Broker Agreement Nutrient Transfer Agreement Outgoing Transfer Summary in NMAN Table 4.2 in the Nutrient Management Strategy Application form NM Pro. 5.2.1.4	Yes	No	NA
20. Where nutrient loading on the farm unit is a concern, documentation has been provided to demonstrate that the prescribed material generated will not cause an adverse effect. Reg. 28(4)	Yes	No	NA
21. Where nutrient loading on the transferred location is a concern, documentation has been provided to demonstrate that the prescribed material generated will not cause an adverse effect. Reg. 28(4)	Yes	No	NA
22. Where material from an unregulated mixed anaerobic digester, the additional criteria outlined in the Unregulated Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Material Appendix of this checklist is satisfied

G. Contingency Plan

24. The applicant has verified in Section 9 of the Nutrient Management Strategy Application form or Appendix J of the NMAN printout that they have a complete contingency plan.
Reg 24(b.1) NM Pro. 11

Yes

H. Sign Off Form

25. A completed Nutrient Management Strategy or Plan Sign Off Form has been included.
NM Pro. 5.2.4.11

Yes

Please specify the facility that requires runoff management:

_____ A permanent solid nutrient storage facility

_____ A farm animal yard lined with concrete or other paving material of equal or lesser permeability

_____ A permanent outdoor confinement area

_____ A facility that is not prescribed in section 81

Runoff Management Appendix

1. The above facility has specified one or more of the following runoff management systems: a) a roof over the facility; Reg. 81 (4.1)	Yes	No	NA
b) a vegetated filter strip system or an equivalent system, both of which are designed by a qualified professional and capable of minimizing the effect of runoff surface water (Note: Vegetated filter strip systems will require a Certificate of Approval (C of A) from the Ministry of Environment) Reg. 81 (4.2)	Yes	No	NA
c) runoff collection and storage area sufficient to contain runoff for the period outlined in section 69, or Reg. 81 (4.3)	Yes	No	NA
d) a permanently vegetated area (points 2 through 5 in this appendix) Reg. 81 (4.4)	Yes	No	NA

2. A permanently vegetated area must:a) be located on a minimum 0.5 m (20 inches) of soil; Reg. 81 (5a)	Yes	No	NA
b) not be located within 3 m (10 ft) of field tile Reg.81 (5ai)	Yes	No	NA
c) not be located within 100 m (328 ft) of a municipal well, 15 m (50 ft) of drilled well, or 30 m (99 ft) from any other well. Reg. 81 (5ai & iii)	Yes	No	NA
d) not be located within 90 m (296 ft) of any other well, if permanent storage facility is used for non-agricultural source material. Reg. 81(5aii)	Yes	No	NA

3. If a permanently vegetated area is to be used for a permanent solid storage. The following parameters have been met:

a) storage floor area is less than 300 m² (3229 ft²);
Reg. 81 (6a)

Yes

b) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path length that measures at least 150 m (492 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the storage facility is for manure with > 30% D.M
Reg.81 (5ci)

Yes

c) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path length that measures at least 50 m (164 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the storage facility is for manure with > 50% D.M
Reg. 81 (5cii)

Yes

4. If a permanently vegetated area is to be used for a farm animal yard lined with concrete or other paving material. The following parameters have been met:

a) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path length that measures at least 150 m (492 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the storage facility is for manure with >=30% D.M
Reg. 81 (5ci)

Yes

b) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path length that measures at least 50 m (164 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the storage facility is for manure with >= 50% D.M
Reg. 81 (5cii)

Yes

5. If a permanently vegetated area is to be used for a permanent outdoor confinement area. The following parameters have been met: a) the number animals kept in the area generate less than 150 NU annually Reg. 81 (6b)	Yes	No	NA
b) the area channeled through a single flow path is less than 2000 sq.m (21, 530 sq.ft) Reg. 81 (6c)	Yes	No	NA
c) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path that measures at least 100 m (328 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the confinement area is less than 500 sq.m (5383 sq.ft) Reg. 81 (5di)	Yes	No	NA
d) the permanently vegetated area has a flow path that measures at least 150 m (492 ft) from surface water and tile inlets, if the confinement is 500 sq.m (5383 sq.ft) or more. Reg. 81 (5dii)	Yes	No	NA

6. For facilities that are not prescribed by section 81 must provide documentation of a runoff management system that is capable of preventing, collecting, treating or containing the runoff.

Yes

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Temporary Storage Appendix

1. Documentation states that no tile drains are in the area of the temporary storage, or the contingency plan includes management options for potential contaminated liquid in the tile. Reg. 84.4	Yes	No	NA
2. The calculations in the Temporary Storage Table (s.85) meets or exceeds the proposed days of temporary storage in the NMS. Reg. 85	Yes	No	NA
3. Each temporary storage site meets the following parameters: a) at least 0.3 m (1 ft) of soil to bedrock; Reg. 83 (1.1)	Yes	No	NA
b) at least 0.9 m (3 ft) above water table; Reg. 83 (1.2)	Yes	No	NA
c) not on an AA soil series; and Ref. - Reg. 83 (1.3)	Yes	No	NA
d) not in a 1 in 100 year flood zone or within regulated flood lines established by the Municipality or Conservation Authority. Reg. 83 (1.4)	Yes	No	NA
e) Site slope shall not exceed 3%; Reg. 83 (1.5)	Yes	No	NA
f) Flow path of 50 m (164 ft) to nearest surface water or tile drain surface inlets; Reg. 83 (1.6)	Yes	No	NA
g) Distance > 45 m (148 ft) to drilled well (> 6 m (20 ft) watertight casing) or > 100 m (328 ft) from municipal or > 90 m (296 ft) from any other well; Reg. 83 (2a, b, and c)	Yes	No	NA
h) 125 m (410 ft) from a single residence; Reg. 83 (2e)	Yes	No	NA
i) 250 m (820 ft) from a residential area; Reg. 83 (2d)	Yes	No	NA

Form # CHK-002S June 2008 (replaces Form #CHK-001S)

Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Facility Appendix

1. Is the operation treating at least 75% On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Material; and that the On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Material consists of at least 50% manure Note: If the answer is No to this question do not proceed any further. Reg. 98.9(1)2.	Yes	No	NA
Overview
2. If an anaerobic digestion facility has been identified to handle off-farm materials the NMS includes a description of the proposed anaerobic digestion facility that includes: a) The amount and type of on-farm materials to be treated by the anaerobic digestion facility Reg. 17(4a)	Yes	No	NA
b) The amount and schedule of off-farm materials to be treated by the anaerobic digestion facility Reg. 17(4a)	Yes	No	NA
c) The sampling procedure for the off-farm material Reg. 17(4a)	Yes	No	NA
d) The nutrient storage facilities to be used for storage of off-farm materials Reg. 17(4b)	Yes	No	NA
e) The procedures to be used for treatment of in mixed anaerobic digestion including: i. the proposed temperature that the facility will operate at Reg. 17(4c)	Yes	No	NA
ii. the average treatment time for materials processed at the facility Reg. 17(4c)	Yes	No	NA
iii. the capacity of the gas combustion system Reg. 17(4c)	Yes	No	NA
iv. the management of non-combusted biogas in the event of a failure of the gas combustion system	Yes	No	NA
v. additional treatments procedures, if necessary Reg. 17(4c)	Yes	No	NA
f) The procedures to be used to manage the output from a mixed anaerobic digestion facility Reg. 17(4d)	Yes	No	NA
3. A layout of the farmstead is included with the location and description of AD facility including " Dimensions of any further treatment systems and digester system " Description of facilities used for the storage of farm feed or other anaerobic digestions materials " Dimensions of all storages used for the storage of both on and off-farm anaerobic digestion materials Note: Any building or nutrient storage plans attached will only be reviewed to verify the nutrient storage capacity or livestock and poultry housing capacity.	Yes	No	NA
4. Any On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Materials specified meet the following criteria: a) All of the On-Farm materials are generated on the farm unit on which the digestion facility is to be located; or Reg. 98.8.1.	Yes	No	NA
b) When incoming On-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Materials are specified the combined NU total of the incoming material(s) and the animals associated with the farm unit does not exceed 1000 NU. Reg. 98.8.2.	Yes	No	NA
c) The materials in a) or b) above are organic and meet the specification in section 98.8.3. Reg. 98.8.3	Yes	No	NA
5. Any Off-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Materials specified meet the following criteria: a) The materials are listed in Schedule 1 & Schedule 2; Reg. 98.4.1.	Yes	No	NA
b) The materials are not listed in Schedule 3 Reg. 98.4.2.	Yes	No	NA
c) The daily incoming volume of material does not exceed 100 cu.m. Note: This requirement is not applicable if the material is farm feed Reg. 98.4.3	Yes	No	NA
d) The yearly incoming volume of material does not exceed 5,000 cu.m. Note: This requirement applies to all Off-Farm materials, including farm feed Reg. 98.4.5.	Yes	No	NA
6. The sampling procedure for Off-Farm materials is consistent with S.98.5 regulation. Reg. 98.5.	Yes	No	NA
Storage (Off-Farm Material)	Yes	No	NA
7. Where the storage of Off-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Materials is identified, the following criteria have been satisfied: a) The materials are to be stored where the anaerobic digestion facility is located Reg. 98.6.1	Yes	No	NA
b) The volume of material being stored at any one time is 100 cu.m or less. Note: This requirement is not applicable if the material is farm feed Reg. 98.6.2.	Yes	No	NA
c) Materials with less than 18% DM content are stored in a sealed tank Reg. 98.6.4.	Yes	No	NA
d) Materials that are not farm feed between 18% and 50% DM content and that are stored for more than 2 days are stored in an enclosed storage facility. Reg. 98.6.5.	Yes	No	NA
e) Farm feed between 18% and 50% DM content that is stored more than 48 hours is stored with a cover Reg. 98.6.6	Yes	No	NA
f) Materials with more than 50% DM content and that are stored for more than 30 days must be stored in a facility that has: i. Walls that enclose at least 75% of the perimeter Reg. 98.6.7	Yes	No	NA
ii. A roof that covers the entire facility and is attached to the walls Reg. 98.6.7	Yes	No	NA
g) Farm feed with more than 50% DM content and that is stored more than 30 days is stored with a cover Reg. 98.6.8	Yes	No	NA
h) Materials listed in Schedule 2 are stored in a facility that is designed by professional engineer to minimize odour emissions. Reg. 98.6.9.	Yes	No	NA
Treatment (Mixed Material)
8. The mixed anaerobic digestion facility: a) Is equipped with a gas combustion system that is capable of handling 110% of the biogas that the facility can generate; Reg. 98.7(a)	Yes	No	NA
b) Is fitted with a secondary gas burning facility that can be activated within 48 hours of a failure in the gas combustion system if the release of non-combusted gas exceeds 20 cu.m./hr Reg. 98.7(b)	Yes	No	NA
c) Is designed with an average digestion time of 20 days Reg. 98.9(1).4	Yes	No	NA
d) Is designed with an average digestion temperature during treatment is no less than 35 degrees Celsius Reg. 98.9.(1).5	Yes	No	NA
9. The regulated mixed anaerobic digestion facility has been designed by a professional engineer.	Yes	No	NA
10. Where the average time for digestion is less than 20 days, a professional engineer has designed the facility to be capable of reducing the total volatile solids of the material by at least 50%. Reg. 98.9(2)	Yes	No	NA
11. Where the average temperature for digestion is less than 35 Celsius, a professional engineer has designed the facility to be capable of reducing the total volatile solids of by at least 50%. Reg. 98.9(3)	Yes	No	NA
12. For Off-Farm Anaerobic Digestion Materials listed in Schedule 2, the following additional treatment has been specified: a) The material will be treated for no less than one hour at no less than 70 degrees Celsius; or	Yes	No	NA
b) The material will be treated for no less than 20 hours at no less than 50 degrees Celsius: Reg. 98.9(1).6.	Yes	No	NA
Destination (Output)
13. For operations not requiring a NMP and where the output from a regulated mixed anaerobic digester is to be applied to the Farm Unit, the applicant has included a statement indicated their responsibilities under subsection 98.11(2) Reg. 98.11(2)	Yes	No	NA

Unregulated Mixed Anaerobic Digestion Material Appendix

1. When the output from a mixed anaerobic digester that did not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digester Facility Appendix meets definition of agricultural source material and is to be transferred off the Farm Unit, the applicant has included a statement indicating they have informed the receiver their responsibility under subsection 98.11 (2) & 98.12 (2). Reg. 98.11(2) & 98.12 (2)	Yes	No	NA
2. For operations not requiring a NMP and where the output from a mixed anaerobic digester that did not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digester Facility Appendix meets the definition of agricultural source material. The applicant must demonstrate the following, if the output is intended to be land applied to the farm unit: a) The crop removal balance of P2O5 does not exceed the limits imposed by NMAN when the P2O5 agronomic balance is greater than +15 lb/ac (17 kg/ha). Reg. 98.12(2)	Yes	No	NA
b) The total plant available nitrogen to be applied to a single field does not exceed 200 kg/ha/yr. Reg. 98.12(2)	Yes	No	NA
3. When the output from a mixed anaerobic digester that did not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digester Facility Appendix meets definition of agricultural source material and is to be land applied to the Farm Unit, the applicant has included a statement indicating their responsibility under subsection 98.11 (2). Reg. 98.11(2)	Yes	No	NA
4. For operations not requiring a NMP and where the output from a mixed anaerobic digester that did not satisfy question 1 of the Regulated Mixed Anaerobic Digester Facility Appendix meets the definition of non-agricultural source material. The applicant must provide a copy of the C of A, if the output is intended to be land applied to the Farm Unit.	Yes	No	NA

Form # CHK-002S June 2008 (replaces Form # CHK-001S);

Non-Agricultural Source Storage Appendix

1. Where non-agricultural source materials are transferred into the Farm Unit(s) and temporarily stored, they are not subsequently transferred out. Reg. 84(2)	Yes	No	NA
2. Where non-agricultural source materials are temporarily stored, the days of storage do not exceed: a) a maximum of 10 days, for de-watered municipal sewage biosolids; Reg. 85(1)	Yes	No	NA
b) a maximum of 120 days, for non-agricultural source materials that are covered and that are not municipal sewage biosolids; and	Yes	No	NA
3. Where storage of non-agricultural source materials occurs on the Farm Unit(s), documentation shows a setback from the storage facility of 100 m (328 ft) from municipal wells, and 90 m (296 ft) from all other wells. Reg. 83	Yes	No	NA
4. Where temporary storage of de-watered municipal sewage biosolids occurs, documentation shows the following minimum setbacks: a) 200 m (656 ft) to the nearest single residence, and Reg. 83(2)	Yes	No	NA
b) 450 m (1476 ft) from the nearest residential area.

Form # CHK-002S June 2008 (replaces Form # CHK-001S);

For more information:
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E-mail: nman.omafra@ontario.ca