EPA Sets New Requirements for Controlling Manure, Wastewater from Large Animal Feeding Operations
November 2008 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule to require concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) nationwide to safely manage manure by including a nutrient management plan as part of their Clean Water Act permit applications.
When manure -- which contains the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus -- is not managed properly, it can pollute rivers and streams and the Chesapeake Bay. EPA estimates that CAFO regulations will prevent 110 million pounds of nitrogen and 56 million pounds of phosphorus from entering rivers, streams and other bodies of water throughout the United States each year.
“This clean water rule strengthens environmental safeguards by embracing a zero discharge standard and requiring site-specific management plans to prevent runoff of excess nutrients into our nation’s waters,” said Benjamin Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water.
This is the first time the EPA has required a manure nutrient management plan be submitted as part of a CAFO’s Clean Water Act permit application. Nutrient management plans will be reviewed by the permitting authority, and conditions based on the plans will be incorporated as enforceable terms of the permit.
In addition to the nutrient management plan requirement, the revised CAFO ruling also includes:
- Requirements that an owner or operator of a CAFO that discharges to streams, lakes and other waters must apply for a permit under the Clean Water Act.
- An opportunity for CAFO operators who do not discharge or propose to discharge to show their commitment to pollution prevention by becoming a certified “zero discharger.”
- Technical clarifications regarding water quality-based effluent limitations and use of best management practices (BMPs) to meet zero-discharge requirements.
- An affirmation of the 2003 rule requirement to reduce fecal coliform through the use of best conventional technology.
The rule deadline for newly defined CAFOs to apply for permits is February 27, 2009.
Visit the EPA’s website for more information about the revised CAFO ruling and to review and comment on the regulations before they become final.