Given the tensions that billowed last winter when three transport operators were prosecuted and fined for spilling effluent on Southland roads while shifting stock for winter grazing, Environment Southland is putting effluent disposal processes in place early this year.

Discussions are already underway with officials from the New Zealand Transport Agency and the New Zealand Road Transport Association (RTA) regarding the renewal of three temporary effluent disposal sites and the establishment of three permanent ones.

“We have been working very hard with other agencies to prevent stock effluent from spilling on the roads,” said Environment Southland Principal Planner Rachel Millar. “We hope to have strategies in place before the next winter grazing transfer.”

Last year, ES worked with Transport Agency to establish two temporary stock effluent disposal sites in key locations over the winter period. This is when effluent spillages are most likely to occur, due to the shifting of nearly 150,000 dairy cattle to and from winter grazing blocks in Southland.

The temporary sites were arranged through agreements with Scully’s Transport and Northern Southland Transport to use washing facilities at their yards, in Centre Bush and Lumsden respectively. Both companies welcomed all transport operators to use their facility, a gesture that was met with gratitude by the trucking community.

Environment Southland regards disposal sites as a very cost-effective means of mitigating road spillage, and is working with the two companies to renew last year’s arrangements. ES is encouraging the Transport Agency to post signs on the road near the Centre Bush disposal site, so that it can be easily found. Signage already exists in Lumsden.

Alliance Group Limited has reopened its truck wash at Mataura as a stock effluent disposal facility on a restricted basis, until a permanent site is established in the vicinity.

Environment Southland is also working with RTA and the Transport Agency to establish three permanent effluent disposal sites along key Southland routes. If approved, construction will take place next financial year, with the Transport Agency supplying 75% of start up costs and Environment Southland contributing the rest. The district council would then take responsibility for ongoing maintenance.

To further encourage positive relationships between transport operators and farmers, Environment Southland introduced Stock Standing Declaration Forms last winter in collaboration with RTA. These forms aimed to take responsibility for effluent spillage off the shoulders of transport operators—whom RTA called “the meat in the sandwich”. Instead, Environment Southland and RTA called on farmers to stand their stock in the paddock for at least 12 hours before transport in order to let them empty out. The declaration form asked farmers to confirm that they had done so.

If a farmer refused to sign the card, it was then at the discretion of the operator to decide whether or not to transport the stock.

“The easiest solution to the problem of effluent spillage on roads is for the animals to be stood off green feed for at least 12 hours before being loaded,” Senior Land Sustainability Officer Gary Morgan said. “Stock can be fed hay, straw or baleage, but keep them off the green crops.” That would give them time to empty out before moving to or from their home farm.

“Stock effluent seeping off the trucks can get into waterways, create road safety issues, endanger and frustrate motorists,” said Environment Southland Planning Manager Ken Swinney.

“Not to mention the fact that it dirties up footpaths and those innocently walking along.”

17 February 2009

For more information please contact Rachael Millar at 03-2115-115.

To read the original article online, click here.