Manure Management Plan Templates & Guidelines
A Manure Management Plan is a best management practice (BMP) for livestock properties.
A Manure Management Plan is a tool to assist livestock owners and managers to identify and protect land and water resources from potential impacts related to livestock, and maintain healthy livestock on their property. The Manure Management Plan provides documentation that demonstrates best management practices and other actions that have been taken. It plays an important supportive role during inspections or consultations with technical service providers. Development and implementation of a Manure Management Plan may require guidance from qualified professionals and natural resources specialists.
Santa Cruz County Environmental Health recommends that owners or managers of livestock facilities in the County, both residential and commercial, develop and maintain a Manure Management Plan.
In some cases, County Environmental Health will require that a Manure Management Plan be developed and implemented (Santa Cruz County Code 7.79.110). Property owners will be notified by Environmental Health staff in these cases.
Livestock facility owners and managers that are developing a Manure Management Plan, either as a voluntary BMP or as required by the County, have options to ensure it is acceptable to Santa Cruz County Environmental Health:
- Use a Manure Management Plan template that is accepted by Santa Cruz County (links on the left-hand side of this page), or
- Use an alternative Manure Management Plan template that meets all of the requirements identified in the Manure Management Plan Guidelines (link on the left-hand side of this page).