Tree Filter and Wetland Livestock Waste Management Plan

Tree Filter and Wetland Livestock Waste Management Plan

Summary

Livestock waste, with proper management, may enhance rather than endanger the environment.

Objectives: To develop a feasible waste management plan to contain animal waste without constructing a lagoon. The coordinator constructed an experimental system that included a concrete holding basin to retain solids, a wetland cell taht consists of a grass- and cattail-lined earthern basin for initial filtering and slow release of excess run-off, and a filter strip comprised of bromegrass, trees and shrubs for final filtering.

Results: Although the system is a work-in-progress, many benefits are being realized. The concrete holding basin required cleaning only every 120 days, and the filter strip planted with 4,000 trees, shrubs and wildflowers provides excellent wildlife habitat in additon to removing nutrients from the livestock waste.