Agricultural Modeling Subcommittee Phase 6

Reference materials for the Agricultural Modeling Subcommittee, the which served as the precursor to the Agricultural Modeling Team.

Description

The following information refers to the Agricultural Modeling Subcommittee, which was the precursor to the current Agricultural Modeling Team. Please review the following as reference material describing this group to familiarize yourself with the foundational information that has led us to where we are today.

Agricultural Modeling Subcommittee Phase 6 Scope and Purpose

The Agricultural Modeling Subcommittee provides enhanced agricultural modeling assistance to support the Agriculture Workgroup and the workgroup's Expert Review Panels on technical decisions regarding the development of the Phase 6 modeling tools for the TMDL Mid-Point Assessment in 2017. Functions include:

  • Provide agricultural modeling support to the Agriculture Workgroup's Expert Review Panels, coordinate cross-modeling support between the Chesapeake Bay Program Office and USDA agencies, and assist with the development and review of panel recommendations.
  • Review current agricultural data inputs to Scenario Builder and the Watershed Model. Consider recommendations for new or improved data sources resulting from the Agriculture Workgroup’s 2013 Modeling Workshop. Make recommendations for data sources to be used post-2017.
  • Review current Scenario Builder and Watershed Model assumptions related to the fate and transport of nutrients on agricultural lands. Some specific assumptions that will be studied include: the placement of excess manure on agricultural lands; timing and applications of nutrients; percent of land available for manure application; etc. Make recommendations to the Agriculture Workgroup for new algorithms or process assumptions related to the fate and transport of nutrients on agricultural lands to be used post-2017.
  • Coordinate with USDA agencies to identify opportunities to collaborate or integrate with USDA modeling tools and databases for providing sources of agricultural data, alternative modeling structures and analysis methods.