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Overview of the Final EPA C oncentrated A nimal F eeding O perations (CAFO) Regulations April 1, 2003. Why did EPA revise the Federal CAFO regulations?. Address water quality problems Update the 25-year old regulations Improve CAFO Program Implementation Address a court order .
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Overview of the Final EPA Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) RegulationsApril 1, 2003
Why did EPA revise the Federal CAFO regulations? • Address water quality problems • Update the 25-year old regulations • Improve CAFO Program Implementation • Address a court order
CAFO Rule Objectives • Simplify and clarify • Flexibility for States • Promote manure management practices • Complement USDA efforts • Promote new technologies • Emphasis on large • Foster voluntary efforts for medium and small AFO’s • Consistency with core NPDES
CAFO Rule History • CWA: CAFOs are point sources • 1974/1976 CAFO regulations • EPA/USDA Unified National Strategy for AFOs – 1999 • Proposed Rule – 2000 • 9 Public Meetings • Notices of Data Availability (2) • 13,000 public comments • Final Rule (NPDES and ELG signed December 15, 2002 – Published February 12, 2003 – Effective February 26, 2003)
Key definitions • Animal Feeding Operation • Confines animals for 45 days in 12 months • Sustains no vegetation in confinement area • Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation • Large (ex., > 1000 Animal Units - AUs) • Medium (ex., > 300 AUs < 1000 AUs • Stream running through confinement area • Man-made conveyance to surface water • Small (ex., < 300 AUs, Designation) • Same criteria as Medium • Significant contributor of pollutants • On-site inspection
How many operations will be regulated? • Nationally, it is estimated that 15,500 CAFOs will require NPDES permits • 11,000 Large facilities • 4,500 Medium facilities defined as CAFOs • In Kentucky, it is estimated that 160 operations will be defined as CAFOs: Poultry (> 125,000 broilers) - 90 Swine (> 2500 pigs (55lb)) - 60 Beef ( > 1000 beef cattle) - 6 Dairy (> 700 dairy cows) - 4
Major Elements of CAFO Rule • All Large Operations Must Apply • Permit Exemption Eliminated • Dry Poultry Included • No potential to discharge determination • Effluent Limitation Guideline (ELG) • No Discharge exc. large rainfall (e.g. 25yr/24hr or 100yr/24hr) • Land Application BMPs & Requirements (N and P) • Alternative Performance Standards • Nutrient Management Plan Required • Implement by December 2006 • Annual Report Required
Adequate storage Mortality management Divert clean water Prevent direct contact Proper chemical handling Site-specific conservation practices Manure/soil testing Land application Records and documentation Nutrient Management Plan Elements
Annual Report Requirements • Number/type of animals • Amount of manure/wastewater generated • Amount of manure/wastewater transferred • Land application acres covered by nutrient management plan • Land application acres used in previous 12 months • Summary of production area discharges • Indicate whether NMP was developed by certified planner
What proposals were not adopted in the Federal Rule? • No mandatory co-permitting or integrator liability requirements • No mandatory ground water requirements • No required use of certified nutrient management planners • No certification from persons receiving CAFO manure • No lowering of CAFO thresholds
State Flexibility • Flexibility to address medium and small operations (KNDOP vs. KPDES, Agriculture Water Quality Plan) • Permitting Approach • For Kentucky --- Individual KPDES (> 1500 AUs) or General KPDES (1000 to 1500 AUs) • Alternative Performance Standards • State Technical Standards and Nutrient Management (NRCS 590)
What is the implementation schedule? • Signature – 12/15/02 • Publication date – 2/12/03 • Effective date – Within 60 days after publication (2/26/03) • ELG Production area requirements effective for existing large CAFOs – 120 days after publication (6/12/03) • State NPDES program revised – 1 year (2/26/04); 2 years if legal authority change required (2/26/05)
Implementation Next Steps • EPA formulate National Implementation Plan • Define and/or designate existing operations as CAFOs to determine need to obtain KPDES permit (CY 2003 – ongoing) • Update State KPDES regulations to reflect final EPA CAFO NPDES regulations (CY 2004) • Re-issue KPDES General Permits • Expire October 2005, reissue late CY 2005 to reflect new CAFO rule requirements • Determine measures of success and assess environmental results - enforcement, monitoring, compliance (ongoing)
CAFO regulations and outreach materials:www.epa.gov/npdes/caforule www.epa.gov/ost/guide/CAFO/ http://www.water.ky.gov/dow/cafo.htm Compliance assistance:www.epa.gov/agriculture USDA programs:www.usda.gov EPA Office of Wastewater Management: (202) 564-0766 Kentucky DOW – (502) 564-3410 For More information