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EPA RELEASES DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS PERMITS; SEEKS COMMENTS

Release Date: 08/06/99
Contact Information:

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Communications, Education, And Media Relations (1703)

Note to Correspondents

EPA today released a draft guidance for Clean Water Act permitting authorities for concentrated animal feeding operations. On March 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations was announced. The AFO strategy sets forth a range of flexible, common-sense actions to minimize water quality and public health impacts of animal feeding operations, while ensuring long-term sustainability of livestock production in the United States. The strategy reflects extensive public comment, including 11 public meetings around the country. EPA will be taking extensive comments on the draft before it becomes final.

EPA estimates 15,000 to 20,000 concentrated animal feeding operations will be required to develop comprehensive nutrient management plans and comply with Clean Water Act requirements as part of their permits. These larger facilities are generally significant contributors to water quality impairment. Most of the over 400,000 animal feeding operations will be encouraged to voluntarily develop comprehensive nutrient management plans under the strategy.

In an effort to facilitate and improve implementation of the permitting program consistent with existing regulations, EPA has published this draft guidance manual and example permits. The guidance provides information on which facilities need to apply; co-permitting of corporate entities; land application of manure; and public notice, monitoring and reporting requirements.

EPA is providing a 60-day public comment period. A notice of availability will be published in the Federal Register soon. For additional information, the general public can call EPA’s Water Resource Center at 202-260-7786, or visit the web site at: https://www.epa.gov/owm. Reporters can call Robin Woods in EPA’s press office at 202-260-4377.


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