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It is my understanding that the crops to be grown on the acreage have been, and will continue to be <br /> (barring unforeseen economic decisions) forage for dairy cattle since Mr. Machado and Mr. Borges <br /> are in the dairy business. These forage crops include silage corn in the spring and summer and <br /> oats/winter mix in the fall and winter. The Western Fertilizer Handbook indicates that silage corn <br /> requires 250 pounds of N per acre per growing season and oats require 115 pounds N per acre per <br /> growing season. This past winter growing season, oats were grown on the property acreage. Fifty <br /> units (pounds per acre) of N were flown on the crop, which is less than half of the crop <br /> requirement. As noted from the soil analytical test results, after the oat crop was harvested, the 42 <br /> inch and 10 foot depth soil samples reveal very low nitrate-nitrogen concentrations at 4 ppm and 3 <br /> ppm, respectively, indicating nitrogen uptake by the oat crop. Additionally, the 25 foot depth <br /> sample also reveals a very low concentration of nitrate-nitrogen (3 ppm) equivalent to the 10 foot <br /> concentration. <br /> There are various formulas and methods to estimate nitrate loading from septic systems. The <br /> following calculations are based upon using a conventional or traditional type of septic system <br /> consisting of a septic tank, leachlines and seepage pits, or sumps. The nitrate loading method <br /> presented is the Hantzsche/Finnemore Equation. It is generally regarded that this equation is the <br /> most representative and accurate regarding nitrate-nitrogen loading from septic systems. <br /> The primary variables involved in quantifying nitrate impact to the underlying groundwater are <br /> Total Nitrogen concentrations, volume of yearly wastewater flows, extent of denitrification, and <br /> evapotranspiration potential. Denitrification capabilities of the indigenous clayey surface and <br /> shallow subsurface soils are expected to contribute to the denitrification potential. Ammonium <br /> retention in the clay soils that are present should also be a factor, as has been observed in other <br /> projects with similar soils. Evapotranspiration was not factored in the nitrate loading calculations; <br /> however, it may be a significant part of wastewater management and consequently nitrate-nitrogen <br /> loading. In addition, future agricultural production that may occur on each individual two-acre <br /> parcel leased by the lessee has also not been taken into consideration since it is unknown at this <br /> time. <br /> The following calculations demonstrate that the nitrate loading potential for the project originating <br /> from proposed septic system influence is nil, primarily due to the large land area(444 acres). <br /> Hantzsche/Finnemore Equation <br /> INW(1 - d) +R Nb <br /> Nr= (I+R) <br /> Where: <br /> Nr= Resultant average concentration of nitrate-nitrogen in recharge water -ppm NO3-N. <br /> I = Volume rate of wastewater entering the soil averaged over the gross developed area in <br /> inches per yr. Total wastewater volume: 490 gals/house x 22 houses (fficmd.s.ond ;,dwclug)_ <br /> 10,800 gpd x 365 days/year=3,942,000 gals- 7.47 gals per fl3 = 528,000 cu ft of <br /> wastewater. Does not account for Eva op transpiration. <br /> Page -8- <br /> Chesney Consulting <br />