Center for Watershed Protection Presentation
March 30, 2023 
by Brandon Smith, Ph.D. of Allied Soil Health in collaboration with USBI and CWP
 

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers more than 40 core practices to protect and improve water quality as part of National Water Quality Initiative.   At least 70 other practices and activities are offered to support the implementation of those core practices.  

In 2019 NRCS introduced an interim practice called Soil Carbon Amendment (808) that focused on the application of biochar, compost, and other carbon amendments to improve soil health.  Each State was given a choice to adopt and evaluate the practice.  Currently 20 states have adopted 808 with only MD, DE and NY doing so within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  In November of 2022, Soil Carbon Amendment became a national (non-interim) practice with the code 336.  Interest in using this practice to apply biochar has surged across the county. 

Biochar has been extensively researched and is used for many purposes beyond soil health and carbon sequestration.  Biochar amended soils and engineered media typically have improved water infiltration rates and better water holding capacity.  Nitrogen cycling is also influenced by biochar additions, usually resulting in improved nitrogen conversion and utilization, thereby reducing nitrate leaching and runoff.

In this presentation we will highlight how biochar application has been shown to be an effective soil management tool to promote water quality and then discuss the potential for 336 to be used as a supporting practice to enhance key water quality practices.

Direct any questions to info@biochar-us.org

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