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EPA Seeks Comments on CAFO Permit

Release Date: 7/1/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing two permits regulating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Public comments on these proposed permits will be accepted until August 26, 1998.

     These National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits are required by the Clean Water Act to regulate storm water discharges from CAFOs. CAFOs raise large numbers of animals in confined areas to produce meat, milk and/or eggs.

     EPA proposes to reissue the CAFO general permit which prohibits discharges from CAFOs except during catastrophic rainfall. Also a new permit is being proposed for CAFOs located in watersheds which have been damaged by excessive nutrient runoff. In addition to prohibiting discharges, this permit also restricts how manure from these operations is spread on land.

     Although a popular fertilizer, animal waste has about 10 times as much phosphorous as commercial fertilizers. Too much phosphorous or other nutrients in water causes algae to grow rapidly. Besides creating odor and taste problems, algal blooms use lots of oxygen, triggering fish kills.

     State agencies will identify watersheds which have been adversely affected by high nutrient levels. The proposed permit will require that manure used as fertilizer from CAFOs in these watersheds be spread based on crops’ phosphorous requirements.

     Comments about these proposed permits should be mailed to Ms. Wilma Turner (6WQ-CA), EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.

     A summary of the proposed permits as well as the complete text may be found on the Internet at www.epa.gov/region6/6wq/npdes/publicnotice.htm. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting Ms. Wilma Turner at EPA Region 6 at (214) 665-7516.

     EPA will hold public meetings to explain the permits and accept formal comments Aug. 3 in Dallas, Aug. 13 in Oklahoma City and Aug. 20. in Las Cruces, New Mexico.