Environmental Progress - Winter 2003

Environmental Progress : Winter 2003

Combined Animal Feeding Regulations Finalized

Many large and medium operations will need NPDES permits

On Feb. 12, 2003, the long- awaited regulations for confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) were published by U.S. EPA in the Federal Register, starting the clock for many operations classified as "large" or "medium" to obtain coverage under a NPDES permit.

To help operators determine whether they will be required to apply for coverage, when they must submit applications, and discuss other requirements under the new regulations, the IEPA will conduct a series of six public meetings around the state in late March and early April. The meetings are all scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m., and will be held on March 26 in Mt. Vernon at the Econo Lodge, 120 N. 44th St.; April 1 in the Jacksonville City Council Chambers, 200 W. Douglas St.; April 3 in Champaign at the Agricultural Technology Center W115 at Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley St.; April 8 at Galesburg in the Scientific and Math Center A110 at Knox College, 340 South West St.; and April 10 in the DeKalb City Council Chambers, 200 S. Fourth St. A session on April 11 at the Stepnenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St. Freeport, will run from 10 a.m. to noon.

The new regulations were developed to replace rules developed in the 1970s that have become outdated by new technologies and methods, and to address concerns about improper handling of livestock waste that has caused serious acute and chronic water quality problems around the nation.

The scope of impact on Illinois livestock feeding operations has not yet been determined, but it is expected that some 500 "large" and as many as 2,700 "medium" CAFOs will be affected. These operations will be required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, develop and implement a manure and wastewater-handling plan (a Nutrient Management Plan), and submit an annual report.

Large CAFOs are those with at least 700 mature dairy cows, 1,000 veal calves, 1,000 beef cattle or heifers, 500 horses, 2,500 swine each weighing 55 pounds or more, 10,000 sheep or lambs, or 10,000 swine under 55 pounds each. Separate classifications exist for turkeys, chickens, laying hens and ducks, depending on the system of waste handling used.

Medium CAFOs are those using a manmade ditch or pipe to carry manure or wastewater from the operation to surface waters, or where animals come into contact with surface water in the confinement areas, if the operation has 200 to 699 mature dairy cows; 300 to 999 veal calves; 300 to 999 beef cattle or heifers; 150 to 499 horses; 750 to 2,499 swine weighing 55 pounds or more; 3,000 to 9,999 sheep or lambs; 3,000 to 9,999 swine under 55 pounds each; or 16,500 to 54,999 turkeys. Again, there are multiple classifications for other poultry depending on the manure handling system in use.

Owners and operators of medium CAFOs can avoid the permitting program by making changes to their operations that would eliminate manure and wastewater discharges to surface waters and by restricting animal access to surface waters. Both U.S. EPA and IEPA strongly encourage these operations to take advantage of this option.

The IEPA plans, as promptly as possible, to develop a CAFO site on its webpage where additional information and required application forms will be available. Information can also be obtained from the IEPA at 217-782-0610, and from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, at 217-353-6600 or from the University of Illinois Extension Service at 217-333-9313.