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safety when applying fertilizers and restricted-use pesticides. The program also covers nonchemical 

 methods to control weeds and pests. 



Wisconsin's and Minnesota's Fannstead Assessment Worksheets — Wisconsin and Minnesota have 

 prepared pilot versions of worksheets to assist farmers in assessing the effectiveness of farmstead practices 

 in protecting drinking water. Practices for assessment include well condition, pesticide storage and 

 handling, fertilizer storage and handling, household wastewater treatment, and livestock v^aste storage. 

 Accompanying each worksheet is a separate publication with recommendations on modifying practices to 

 minimize pollution risks, and suggested sources for additional information. 



Maine's BMP Manual — Maine collaborated with SCS, the Extension Service, and farmers to produce 

 a BMP manual that educates farmers on the characteristics of agricultural chemicals and offers practical 

 tips on protecting water from contamination. 



Virginia's Outreach Efforts — The Virginia Water Resources Center has developed instructional 

 materials, exhibits, and publications on water quality protection. The Virginia Extension Service conducts 

 water quality related outreach activities for the agricultural community as well as local citizens, local 

 government staff, and students. 



State Research and Data Management — Basic and applied research that supports water quality 

 protection efforts is being carried out by the states, mostly at state Agricultural Experiment Stations, land- 

 grant universities, and Water Resources Research Institutes. Much of this research is at least partially 

 funded by federal grants. States are also developing data management systems to store and maintain the 

 information they need to implement their water quality protection efforts. 



• Connecticut — The College of Natural Resources of the University of Connecticut conducts 

 research on pesticide usage issues and on IPM, while the state Agricultural Experiment Stations 

 study the fate of pesticides in the environment. Connecticut has an extensive data base on the 

 hydrogeological conditions of the state. In cooperation with USGS, the state Department of 

 Environmental Protection has collected information on all watersheds, the properties and 

 distribution of aquifers, depth to water tables, water quality in vulnerable or sensitive areas, 

 locations of public water supply wells, locations of pollution sources, etc. 



• New York — The state Water Resources Research Institute at Cornell University conducts research 

 on the water quality effects of agricultural chemicals. Researchers are evaluating the relationship 

 between pesticide application practices, crop production, and ground water quality for potato 

 crops. In addition, the Institute is interested in studying the effects of soil organisms on chemical 

 transport, microbiological degradation of chemicals, transport of microbes within the soil, and the 

 toxic effects of ground water contamination on ecological systems. Faculty at Cornell, Oregon 

 State University, Michigan State University, and the University of California at Davis have been 

 developing a toxicological information system called EXTOXNET. The system will be used by 

 Extension agents to answer questions about current or potential contamination by agricultural 

 contaminants. 



• Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania State University is involved in several research efforts. First, Penn 

 State and three other U.S. universities are studying the environmental fate of pesticides under 

 minimum and conventional tillage. Second, Penn State is involved in a cooperative venture to 

 reduce NPS pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Third, the university participates in a 

 well-funded program to develop expert systems for pest management on all crops. Fourth, Penn 



