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EPA Seeks Comment on CAFO Permit

Release Date: 01/21/2009
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Anthony Suttice at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas – January 21, 2009) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 is proposing a general permit regulating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) located on State lands in New Mexico.

This National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit is required by the Clean Water Act if pollutants will be discharged or proposed to be discharged from CAFOs into our nation’s waterways. These permits spell out the types of allowable discharges and are written to protect public health and the environment.

The proposed CAFO general permit continues many requirements already in place including nutrient management plans, manure and wastewater storage design, waste storage closure provisions and incorporates new requirements established in 2008.

EPA will continue its extensive coordination with the CAFO industry, New Mexico regulatory agencies, tribal and local governments, environmental groups and other interested parties to ensure the permit will be both effective and viable.

EPA will accept comments for 30 days on the proposal, then review and respond to comments and make any appropriate changes before the permit is reissued.

The proposed general permit and a fact sheet can be found at https://www.epa.gov/region6/water/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio012109_cafogeneralpermit