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Animal Feeding OperationsOVERVIEW
The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are point sources, as defined by the CWA [Section 502(14)]. To be considered a CAFO, a facility must first be defined as an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO). AFOs are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs generally congregate animals, feed, manure, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures. Animal waste and wastewater can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures (due to accidents or excessive rain), and non-agricultural application of manure to crop land. An AFO is a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the following conditions are met:
AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a CAFO may be regulated under the NPDES permitting program. Previous EPA regulations based the definition of CAFOs on the number of "animal units" confined. EPA no longer uses the term "animal unit," but instead refers to the actual number of animals at the operation to define a CAFO. Click here to view a brief summary of how the regulations define Large, Medium, and Small CAFOs (PDF) (1 p, 28K). WHAT CAN I FIND ON THIS WEB SITE? Click on the links below to find out more information and facts on AFOs, CAFOs, and the NPDES permitting program for CAFOs.
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