Background: The 1998 Chesapeake Executive Council signed Directive  98-4 in support of the nutrient reduction goals of the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The opportunity exists for all jurisdictions within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the non-signatory states of Delaware, New York and West Virginia, to coordinate and cooperate on the transport and proper use of animal waste transported across jurisdiction boundaries. In addition, applied research and technological advances are needed to provide and support a broad range of alternative use options to provide for an economically viable animal agriculture industry that is compatible with a healthy bay ecosystem.

A multi-jurisdiction steering committee convened two task forces to evaluate technical standards for interstate transport and use, alternative-use technologies and possible incentive programs to encourage their development. Representatives from state and federal agencies, universities, agricultural organizations, conservation organizations, agribusiness and the power generation industry participated on the task forces.

The guidelines included in the report are intended to be recommendations to the jurisdictions for addressing operator, public, and water quality concerns relating to the interstate transport of animal waste, and to serve as a policy guide in evaluating and promoting alternative uses of animal waste in the Chesapeake Bay region.

The steering committee held its final meeting on September 14, 1999 in preparation for submitting the final report and recommendations to the Implementation Committee by the October 1, 1999 deadline established by the directive.