Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Regulations found at 40 CFR 122.23 define Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) as point source dischargers requiring NPDES permit coverage. The EPA Region 6 CAFO General Permit became effective March 10, 1993, and expired on midnight of March 10, 1998. A draft permit was published on June 26, 1998 [63 Fed. Reg.  34874+] and the public comment period was open through August 25, 1998, the draft permit has not been finalized. Facilities with permit coverage as of March 10, 1998, were administratively extended permit coverage until a new permit is issued. New facilities may not apply for coverage under the expired 1993 general permit. However, they may apply for an individual permit(s).

For further details concerning eligibility and how to obtain NPDES CAFO permit coverage, contact EPA Region 6 Water Quality Division Permits Branch at (214)665-7180 or visit their General Permits Public Notice web page.

What to Expect When EPA Inspects Your Livestock Yard: This link takes you to the National Compliance Assistance Center's web page assisting animal feeding operations for compliance with the NPDES CAFO requirements.

The CAFO Final Rule became effective upon it being signed by the Administrator on December 15, 2002. You can find the entire rule and associated information on the Office of Water's CAFO Web Page. This rule has been revised in response to the 2nd Circuit Court ruling. EPA has proposed a revised rule in June 2006, which can be found at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/aforule.cfm. There will be a public outreach meeting in Dallas on August 2, 2006, 9:00am, at the Texas A&M – Dallas Agricultural Research & Extension Center (Pavilion), 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75252.