Animal Feeding Operations Air Agreements
(Washington, D.C. - Aug. 22, 2006) EPA has just gotten approval to take the next important step to gather air emissions data from agricultural animal feeding operations (AFOs) and to ensure compliance with environmental laws. This step consists of certain AFOs voluntarily taking part in a nationwide monitoring study to evaluate their air emissions.
- EPA Takes Important Step in Controlling Air Pollution from Farm Country Animal Feeding Operations (8/22/06)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Air Quality Compliance Agreement on Jan. 21, 2005. The primary goals of the Air Quality Compliance Agreement are:
- Reduce air pollution
- Ensure compliance with applicable Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Environmental Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) provisions
- Monitor and evaluate AFO emissions
- Promote a national consensus on methodologies for estimating emissions from AFOs.
Related documents are provided below:
- Environmental Appeals Board Approves First Air Compliance Agreements with Animal Feeding Operations (1/30/06)
- Agreement(PDF) (41 pp, 131 K, About PDF)
- Air
Monitoring Protocol (PDF) (48
pp, 106 K, About
PDF)
Outline the acceptable methods for monitoring under given scenarios, such as the species of animal being raised, the type of farms practices used, etc.
Federal Register Notices:
- Federal Register Notice (PDF) (117 pp, 157 K, About PDF) (01/31/05)
- Supplemental Notice (PDF) (1 p, 48 K, About PDF) (03/30/05): to extend signup period for consent agreement and final order, and reopening for public comment.
- Supplemental Notice (PDF) (7 pp, 74 K, About PDF) (07/12/05): extension of the signup deadline and response to public comment on the agreement
- Supplemental Notice (PDF) (1 p, 46 K, About PDF) (08/03/05): reopen signup period for consent agreement and final order.
Response to Public Comments
EPA's response to comments received on the Air Agreement.