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The Citizen, 1995-03-22, Page 42YAMAHA The Power To Satisfy. NEW FOR 1995 /0th Anniversary Edition BIG BEAR Not exactly as shown Features: - 349`c Four-Stroke Engine - Hi-Lo Transmission - 2000 lb. Warn Winch (installed) - Speedometer w/Trip - 10th Anniversary Graphics * Purchase before July 31/95 and receive a $200. YamaBucks Certificate •gK ENTER PRISES,.. WING HAM 0 357-3435 Protecting the environment The construction of a cement pad for manure storage and a tank to catch liquid runoff will prevent deterioration of the neighbouring land and waterways. Oldfield Hardware has all your Agricultural Supplies • Alflex Ear Tags • Tattoos • Feeders • Ventilations • Galvanized pipe cut and threaded to length • Ritchie Watering Fountains tio • Pressure Systems for home and farm • Fencers & Fencing Systems COMPUTERS IBM, AST, Compaq, Hewitt Rand Purina 14t Dog & Cat Food OLDFIELD PRO HARDWARE & RADIO SHACK Brussels 'ladle'k 887-6851 Tha PAGE A22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1995. AGRICULTURE f 95 Manure runoff a concern Continued from A21 alternate water source. Some possibilities include the development of springs, seepage areas, off-stream ponds and wells. Transferring the water to holding tanks can rely on gravity, hydraulic rams, windmills, solar power, nose pumps or gasoline engine pumps. The combination of equipment depends on specific conditions. Manure runoff The containment of manure runoff has been an issue of concern in many local municipalities in recent months. Roofing solid manure storage areas or providing runoff tanks to hold waste are just two of the meth- ods used to protect the water sources. There are several advantages of covering manure, says Ms Leoffler. Preventing absorption of rain, which causes liquid runoff, stops nutrient losses. With the elimination of runoff, crop losses and environmental damage to waterways is prevented, extra storage capacity for runoff is not required and only one type of manure handling equipment is needed. For some operators, the roofing can be constructed on existing cement pads or added to the side of an existing building. Even unused bunker silos can be converted if the floor slope is adequate. According to the MVCA, the dis- advantages of this system are that some manures can not be held as solid waste, feedlot arid exercise area manure is not controlled and construction costs may be higher than liquid manure storage systems. Though the initial reaction may be that the CURB program is main- ly of benefit to the farmers who participate in the program and their neighbours downstream, there are results which can benefit the entire population. By cutting off the flow of pollut- ed waters to streams, rivers and lakes, the recreational environment along the beaches is improved, both for swimmers and anglers. Though only a few municipalities use streams as sources of water, a clean supply is healthier and will reduce the treatment costs. The cost of maintaining the drainage systems is also decreased with soil erosion prevention meth- ods in place. Numerous studies regarding the cost savings through the elimina- tion of rural runoff contamination have estimated the value at as much as $166 million for general benefits such as harbour dredging, water treatment costs and loss of recre- ational opportunities at the beaches. The farm benefits, totalling a possible $625 million, result from the reduction in manure nutrient losses, agricultural productivity losses and chemical losses. Room For improvement Though residents of the MVCA watershed have shown a great deal of participation in the program, Ms Leoffler says there arc still areas which need improvement. One area which still needs improvement is the septic systems Continued on A23 Environmentalhazard The common practice of allowing manure piles to stand in the open, unprotected from rain and the likelihood of leaching contaminants into the ground, is being rectified through the CURB program.