Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) - Information for NRCS Employees and Technical Service Providers (TSP)

Last Modified: 11/23/2009 11:19 AM

Preparing a CNMP can be a simple or complex process, depending on the size and complexity of the animal operation. It typically requires knowledge in engineering, agronomy and crop nutrient management, erosion control practices, irrigation systems, and water management in order to adequately assess and manage water and manure associated with animal feeding operations, and control runoff. Producers may find it necessary to enlist the help of one or more technical experts when preparing a CNMP. A certification program has been established for persons offering to prepare CNMPs to assure certain standards are met.

Not all CNMPs will require the same level of expertise. In some cases, particularly for AFOs that have no plans to add new facilities or expand existing ones, it is possible the CNMP may be prepared by the producer and reviewed by a certified specialist. Producers will need to obtain a minimum level of training to prepare their own CNMPs, possibly through the CDQAP environmental stewardship program.

Obtaining Certification to Prepare CNMP for NRCS

There are four areas of certification required to prepare a CNMP: (1) evaluation of facilities and equipment for handling and storage of manure and storm water, (2) nutrient management for land application of manure, (3) runoff and erosion control from land, and (4) conservation planning. Although one person could obtain all four certifications, it is more typical for CNMPs to be developed with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists (e.g. an engineer, agronomist and planner). 

If you encounter problems with the files provided on this page, please contact the Webmaster.

The following documents describe the minimum requirements for becoming certified in any of these four elements:

These documents require Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word.

Certified Conservation Planner Checklist (PDF; 136 KB
Certified Land Treatment Specialist Checklist (PDF; 133 KB
Certified Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage Specialist Checklist (PDF; 137 KB)
Certified Nutrient Management Specialist Checklist (PDF; 134 KB)
NRCS California Conservation Planning Policy (PDF; 112 KB)
Application for Certification - Manure and Wastewater Handling and Storage Specialist (DOC; 36 KB)
Application for Certification - Nutrient Management Specialist (DOC; 35 KB)
Application for Certification - Land Treatment Specialist (DOC; 34 KB)

Persons interested in becoming CNMP Technical Service Providers should register on the national NRCS TechReg website.

CNMP Training materials provided at the CNMP TSP training session of April 2008 can be downloaded from the CNMP Training page.

CNMP Preparation Process

The following documents describe and support the CNMP preparation process.

These documents require Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word.

Procedures for Developing CNMP's - August 2008 (PDF; 1.3 MB)

CNMP Worksheets Linked in Spreadsheet Format (Beta5 version) (XLS; 2.3 MB) - Revised 8/2009

Dairy Planning Tool (XLS; 791 KB) - Revised 8/20/2009

WS 7-X Field Schedule (DOC; 35 KB)

Manure Management Planner Quick Reference Guide (PDF; 603 KB)

NRCS uses the Manure Management Planner (MMP) Tool as part of the CNMP plan.  Click here for more information on this program.

Download the original unlinked version of the forms needed to prepare a CNMP

CNMP Implementation

The following documents describe technical requirements for receiving Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share for nutrient management. This is intended to be part of a larger plan that includes all engineered improvements on the dairy and cropland needed to adequately manage manure, as appropriate for the producer.

The file AFO Manure Nutrient Management describes required activities. The file AFO Nutrient Management Procedures provides detailed procedures to be used when implementing this practice for cost-share. Please download and review both files.

The following documents are tools to assist producers or consultants to implement CNMP planning or implementation:

These documents require Microsoft Excel.


Estimating N applied with irrigation water (XLS; 49 KB)
Estimated NPK Removal for Forage and Silage Crops (XLS; 53 KB)
Plan and Record of Nutrient Applications (XLS; 124 KB)

Additional references and tools are available here.

The following document summarizes the timeline and many of the reporting requirements set by the dairy regulations adopted for the Central Valley in May 2007, and associates them to the existing CNMP documents.

This document requires Microsoft Excel.

Comparison of CNMP Process to Regional Board 5 Milk Cow Regulations (XLS; 331 KB)

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