Dust emission from cropland and rangeland is problematic in many areas, particularly where dry conditions and high wind velocities exist. Producers and specialists need a resource with in-depth solutions to specific dust and wind erosion problems. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA Southern Plains and Southwest Climate Hubs has developed a new resource – the Dust Mitigation Handbook. The Handbook was authored by a team of NRCS and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, including Steve Smarik, NRCS State Resource Conservationist for Arizona and Liaison to the USDA Southern Plains and Southwest Climate Hubs in 2018-2019. The Handbook represents a “OneUSDA” vision for conservation management under varying and changing environmental conditions, and is intended for resource managers in USDA and other land management agencies who are struggling with dust challenges and working with producers to craft solutions. For a changing future, where uncertain climate and water supply conditions may prompt farmers to fallow increasing acreage of once-actively planted cropland, this Handbook is comes as a timely resource.

Dust Cover 

          Cover Photo Credits

Download the entire manual here or individual chapters below.

 

Dust Mitigation Handbook

Cover and Front Pages

Chapter 1 - Hazards and Concerns of Airborne Particulates

Chapter 2 - Understanding Wind Erosion

Chapter 3 - Modeling and Predicting Wind Erosion

Chapter 4 - Measuring Airborne Particulates

Chapter 5 - Conservation Planning for Wind Erosion Resource Concerns

Chapter 6 - Wind Erosion Abatement on Cropland

Chapter 7 - Controlling Wind Erosion on Rangeland, Natural Areas and Unpaved Surfaces

Chapter 8 - USDA Programs to Address Wind Erosion

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms in Wind Erosion and Natural Resources Conservation

Appendix A:  References Cited

Appendix B: Exhibits Referenced in Text

Appendix C: NRCS T-Charts for Conservation Practices

 

Please contact Skye Aney to request a hard copy of the Dust Mitigation Handbook.