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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Manure and wastewater from CAFOs have the potential to contribute pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, sediment, pathogens, heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics, and ammonia to the environment. Animal waste 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.

The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from CAFOs to waters of the United States. EPA Region 6 directly implements the CAFO program in Oklahoma and New Mexico. The states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas have been authorized by EPA to implement the CAFO program in their respective states. EPA acts in an oversight and technical assistance role for these state programs.
For Compliance with animal feeding operations in Region 6, please visit the Water Enforcement CAFO webpage.

March 25, 2009 - EPA Region 6 is proposing for public comment the issuance of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit for discharges from eligible owners/operators of existing concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in Oklahoma, except those discharges on Indian Country. All currently operating animal feeding operations that are defined as CAFOs or designated as CAFOs by the permitting authority (See Part VII Definitions, “CAFOs”) and that are subject to 40 CFR Part 412, Subpart A (Horses), Subpart C (Dairy Cows and Cattle Other than Veal Calves), and Subpart D (Swine, Poultry, and Veal Calves) are eligible for coverage under this permit. The proposed CAFO general permit, fact sheet, and federal register notice can be found on the General Permits page.

Scott Stine
Regional CAFO Coordinator
U.S. EPA, Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733
Phone: 214/665-7182
FAX: 214/665-2191