Policy Text:
The policy applies in all vulnerable areas where the storage of agricultural source material is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity).
The policy applies to provincial instruments under the Nutrient Management Act
A nutrient management strategy shall satisfy the following provisions:
The nutrient management strategy shall not permit the expansion of an existing permanent nutrient storage facility, or the establishment of a new permanent nutrient storage facility, for agricultural source material in all WHPA-A vulnerable areas where the activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity).
The nutrient management strategy shall not permit the expansion of an existing temporary field nutrient storage site, or the establishment of a new temporary field nutrient storage site, for agricultural source material in all WHPA-A vulnerable areas where the activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity).
The nutrient management strategy shall not allow for the expansion of an existing permanent nutrient storage facility, or the establishment of a new permanent nutrient storage facility, for agricultural source material within the affected vulnerable areas, excluding WHPA-A, where the activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity) unless:
the expansion or new facility would provide the capacity necessary for a minimum of 240 days of storage for the number of nutrient units housed on the property; and
sufficient land base to accommodate the application of the stored agricultural source material is documented elsewhere in the nutrient management strategy; and
the expansion or new facility would be constructed to the following design standards, as a minimum:
for a liquid storage system, a synthetic liner, as defined by O. Reg. 267/03 s. 1; or
for a dry storage system, reinforced concrete floor and reinforced concrete walls; and
installation, material, engineering, setbacks and other such standards as specified under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, and its regulations
The nutrient management strategy shall not allow for the expansion of an existing temporary field nutrient storage site, or the establishment of a new temporary field nutrient storage site, for agricultural source material within the affected vulnerable areas, excluding WHPA-A, where the activity is or would be a significant drinking water threat (existing activity or future activity) unless:
the location of the temporary field site is identified in the nutrient management strategy; and
the period of use is restricted to not more than 30 days, or a lesser time period if deemed appropriate.
It is strongly encouraged that consideration be given to having capacity in the permanent nutrient storage facility for 365 days of storage for the number of nutrient units housed on the property.
For clarity, the improvement of an existing permanent nutrient storage facility is allowed where it is determined that such improvements would provide additional measures to protect sources of drinking water.
The Ministry of the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall:
Review all existing nutrient management strategies and nutrient management plans in all vulnerable areas where the storage of agricultural source material is a significant drinking water threat (existing activity);
Determine whether the approvals as described in clause (A) contain appropriate terms and conditions and require adequate measures to be in place to satisfy clauses (1) to (4) above; and
Where the Ministry is of the opinion that the terms, conditions and measures contained in an approval as described in clause (B) are not adequate, cause such amendments to be made to the nutrient management strategy or nutrient management plan so as to satisfy clauses (1) to (4) above.
Existing approvals shall be reviewed within three years of the effective date of the Source Protection Plan. Where amendments are deemed necessary, the existing approval shall be amended within three years of the effective date of the Source Protection Plan.
Monitoring policies MP-07 and MP-08 apply.