Through S.L. 2021-180 (2021 Appropriations Act) the North Carolina General Assembly established the North Carolina Swine and Dairy Assistance Program, a one-time assistance program for swine and dairy producers who suffered a loss due to the shutdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant number of swine farms have lost contracts and dairies have been forced out of business due to the pandemic.
Thirty million dollars was appropriated to NCDA&CS to provide financial assistance for eligible swine and dairy producers for losses incurred as a result of termination of contracts or ceased milk production due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Swine & Dairy Assistance Program Closure - Waste Impoundments
Swine and dairy producers approved by NCDA&CS for assistance and elect to close their lagoon (s) or waste storage pond (s), will be eligible for 90% cost share (up to $100,000 per applicant) for closing their structure. An additional 90% cost share (up to $30,000 per applicant) is available to convert impoundment(s) to water supply ponds for agricultural water needs. Approved applicants will work with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to develop Agricultural Cost Share Program (ACSP) contracts. Closure contracts must be in place by 12/31/2024 and funds spent by 12/31/2026.
BMP Units: Each
Cost Information: Actual cost (90%).
Expected Results:
Animal Type
Animal Units
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Waste Managed
Reference Materials:
Division Closure of Waste Impoundment Approval letter
NC-ACSP-11 Signature Page
Map with BMP location, fields, and roads.
NC-ACSP-1C Form
NC-ACSP-WMP Form
Two closure bid estimates
Cooperator Acknowledge Form (Closure)
DWR Closure Report Form (for RFP)
Receipts (for RFP)
For Conversion to Ag Water Supply Pond also include:
Cooperator Acknowledge Form (Conversion)
Division Engineering Approval Letter
Water Balance Results
Operation and Maintenance Plan
Inventory and Evaluation Form (Irrigation or Livestock)
Certificate of Completion (for RFP)
JAA Breached Dam Closure
NRCS-ENG - 360 Closure of Waste Impoundments
DSWC-WM - 360 Closure of Waste Impoundments
Technical Specialist Designation WUP/NM
Professional Engineer
JAA Agricultural Water Supply Pond Conversion Closure
Professional Engineer
Technical Specialist Designation SD
The Division of Soil and Water Conservation along with NRCS held several waste impoundment closure trainings. Material from these trainings is available on the Division's training website.
To submit a closure plan or closure bid for approval, please use the Formsite forms below:
Prior to submitting a closure plan for approval, verify all of the the items on the closure plan checklist are included. The closure plan should then be uploaded using the Closure Plan Approval Request Form
Once the closure plan has been approved, two itemized closure bids shall be obtained to cover all aspects of the closure process. If more than one contractor is involved in the closure process, the bids for each contractor’s part should be combined for one complete bid. Items that must be included in each complete bid includes:
- Pumping and land application of the slurry waste
- Scraping and land application of the solid waste
- Removing or sealing the pipes from the barns
- Breaching the dam or installing the spillway
- Seeding and mulch to revegetate all disturbed areas
Once two closure bids have been obtained including all of the items listed above, bids should be uploaded using the Closure Job Bid Approval Request Form
Requesting Technical Assistance:
If you would like to request technical assistance with a closure, please complete an online Technical Assistance Request.