Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Guidance for Planners

The farmer led AEM team at work on a plan in St. Lawrence County. Photo: Barb Silvestri, NYSSWCC

Overview

A Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is a conservation plan, unique to animal feeding operations, designed to evaluate all aspects of farm production and offer conservation practices that help achieve production and natural resource conservation goals. As part of the AEM initiative the NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee, with guidance from other partner agencies, established a comprehensive certification process to ensure that certified planners from both the public and private sectors are available and qualified to meet the high standards for CNMP development and implementation.

CNMPs are the foundation for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s environmental regulatory program to control potential water pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) under State General Permit GP-04-04, and are also a requirement for farms seeking federal or state cost-sharing to construct a manure storage structures. However, a CNMP can also be developed and implemented by any livestock farm seeking to maximize production, while efficiently managing their natural resources and protecting the environment.