Protecting Our Nation’s Waters: Concentrated Animal Feeding

Operations

Chesapeake Bay Implementation Committee

July 21, 2005

Purpose of Today’s Discussion• Goals of the CAFO rule• Agriculture and Livestock in Mid Atlantic area• CAFO Risks: environment & human health • Highlights of the CAFO rule• State’s strengths, operations and schedules• Second Circuit Court Decision• Next Steps

Goals of the CAFO Rule• Protect water quality by ensuring proper management

of animal manure in the production and land application areas

• Improve Clean Water Act CAFO rule • Increase NPDES CAFO permits • Implement nine critical standards - ELG requirements• Ensure public involvement• Utilize compliance and enforcement programs

• Develop a coordinated federal/state livestock and poultry program • Complement USDA’s voluntary programs for AFOs • Integrate States’ Department of Agriculture expertise

Agricultural Snapshot Agricultural land use in the Mid Atlantic

area is greater than 21 million acres 28.4% total land use in the region

DE 46.3% agriculturalMD 35.5% agriculturalPA 25.1% agriculturalVA 33.0% agriculturalWV 22.7% agricultural

poultry and livestock crop production strong economic drivers

Top Commodities in Region III

(#1 income sector in PA, DE, MD and VA)STATE COMMODITIES and Cash Receipts (in millions)

DE Broilers (507) Greenhouse/Nursery (29)

Soybean (26) DairyProducts (26)

Chicken Eggs(15)

MD Broilers (530) Greenhouse/Nursery (256)

DairyProducts(203)

Cattle andCalves (65)

Soybean (65)

PA Dairy Products(1,706)

Cattle andCalves (369)

Mushrooms(319)

Greenhouse/Nursery (306)

Chicken Eggs(25)

VA Broilers (474) Cattle andCalves (325)

DairyProducts(293)

Turkeys (221) Greenhouse/Nursery (157)

WV Broilers (132) Cattle andCalves (76)

DairyProducts (41)

Turkeys (41) Chicken Eggs(25)

Human Health and Environmental Risks

• Runoff and leaching from land application andimproper manure storage :• Cause eutrophication in lakes, rivers, bays and

estuaries

• Nutrients – N&P- major contributors • Contaminate drinking water

• nitrate, pathogens, phosphorus, salts• Fish kills

• Other environmental concerns include pathogens, air emissions, and odor

Highlights of the CAFO Rule

• NPDES CAFO permit covers production and land application areas

• 3-Tier Structure • Large: Threshold- # of animals- mixed animals removed

• Medium: threshold and pollutants discharged into US waters

• Small: State or EPA designation

• Eliminate exemption for “dry” chicken-broiler operations • Cover broiler operations with dry manure handling systems.

Highlights of the CAFO Rule• Nutrient Management Plan –Integral part of the

permit: Nine Critical Components• Ensure adequate storage of manure/litter&process wastewater• Ensure proper mgmt of dead animals• Ensure clean water is diverted from the production area• Prevent direct contact of animals with US waters• Prevent inappropriate introduction of chemicals into

manure/litter, stormwater storage• Identify site –specific BMPs (setbacks) to control nutrient loss• Identify manure and soil protocols• Identify protocols for land application of

manure/litter/wastewater- technical nutrient mgmt• Maintain proper record keeping

Strengths of State Programs

Existing programs have a history Nutrient management planning has

been a part of state requirements Relationship exists: State Ag, NRCS

and CSREES-Land Grant University system

National experts throughout Region 3 Well balanced stakeholder process Ample time to develop and involve public

Region 3: Estimated CAFOs

National: 15,400 Large: 10,700 Medium: 4,700

R4: 3272: 21% R6: 1701: 11% R7: 3238: 21% Note: Number of AFOs:

350,000

Region 3: 910 ~ 6%Large: 550Medium: 360

CB PA: 462 287 VA: 204 115 MD: 126 70 DE: 86 43 WV: 32 18

Implementation Schedule

STATE Draft Program/Final Program (1)

Delaware August 2004

September 2005

Maryland June 2004

September 2005

Pennsylvania January 2005

December 2005

Virginia June 2004

September 2005

West Virginia June 2004

February 2006

1. Projected final program dates

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

USDA: Farm Bill Conservation cost share,

easements, incentive programs (NRCS, FSA)

Renewable energy projects:EQIP, RDA

Research: CSREES &ARS

EPA SRF Loan program 319 Grants National Estuary Grants 106 NPDES support

Recognition of States’ Cost Share/ Other

CAFO Rule Lawsuit-Second Circuit Court Decision

Environmental and Industry Petitioners and EPA Unanimous decision by 3 judge panel Upheld most of the rule’s technical requirements 2 vacatures: Duty to Apply, Review of NMP 3 remands: BCT for Pathogens Possible repercussion: Less CAFO permits, greater

work load for USDA-NRCS EPA will alter existing rule States are encouraged to complete program updates

and issue permits

Future Activities Continue to work w/ States to develop/approve

programs Support States funding needs Provide training for permit writers and inspectors Discuss w/ NRCS AFO/CAFO Opportunities Respond to the Court’s decision- make changes to

the rule Implement AFO Research Task Force www.epa.gov/npdes/cafo