"Farm runoff" is a big thing over here near the bay. From what I can see with my own eyes is that all along the major waterways mitigation(neutralization tanks and/or plantings to absorb) steps have been reasonably successful. They only really struggle when there is 100 year storms but by and large, they seem to prevent the runoff in those areas. The issue from what I have seen are those chicken farms with 2-6 long buildings way the heck out in the boonies but along a creek that feeds into the larger rivers and the bay itself. Those guys seem to think a berm will do and it doesn't. It is worlds better than it was in the 80's 10 years after they "agent oranged" the waterways to clear the seaweed. That was the worst thing I ever watched them do. We used to watch the crop duster planes spraying the rivers. Killed the hiding places for all species of young and we all know what happened then......crashes in Crab, Oyster and fish populations followed by Oyster disease which crushed the industry......all by "people who thought they knew more than other people"We've got a big problem in some areas of the UK with river pollution, which is being investigated. It's believed to be caused by run off from chicken farms that have been built near them or maybe from the use of chicken fertiliser on farms. It's destroying the eco system in the river and killing fish.
There's a lot of "them" out there. They seem to enjoy spending other peoples risk and money on their whims though......
okay, my rant is over.
happy St Patrick's Day 
