News Releases - 2003

New Animal Waste Regulations Will Be Discussed at Series of Statewide Meetings

Springfield, Ill. -- Representatives of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will discuss and answer questions about new and expanded livestock waste management regulations published by U.S. EPA in mid-February at a series of six meetings around the state.

The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Econo Lodge at 120 N. 44th St., Mt. Vernon.

Scheduled informational meetings in April are set for the Jacksonville City Council Chambers, 200 W. Douglas St., Jacksonville, April 1; the Agricultural Technology Center W115 at Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley St., Champaign, April 3; Scientific and Math Center A110, Knox College, 3400 South West St., Galesburg, April 8; the City Council Chambers, 200 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, April 10, and the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, 210 W. Spring St., in Freeport, April 11. The Freeport meeting will run from 10 a.m. to noon. All other sessions will run from 7 to 9 p.m.

The federal changes and additions to the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) program will affect an estimated 500 large operations and could impact as many as 2,700 medium CAFOs.

“Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency both recognize that farmers have a long history of stewardship of the land. Livestock production methods are changing and it is important that environmental management practices keep pace to continue to protect our valuable land and water resources for future generations,” IEPA Director Renee Cipriano said in announcing the informational meetings.

Under the new program, those affected will be required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, submit annual reports, and develop and implement manure and wastewater handling plans.

The regulations are a response to growing national concern about the potential for serious acute and chronic water quality problems as a result of accidental release or improper handling of animal wastes.

Definitions of “large” and “medium” CAFOs hinge on both the kinds and numbers of animals kept on the sites, and in some cases, also reflect differences in waste handling methods.

Livestock waste poses an environmental threat when released to waters where the overabundance of nutrients it contains, chiefly nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause algal blooms and fish kills. The wastes also can introduce disease-bearing pathogens into drinking water source waters.