For More Information about
EPA'S AFO Inspection Plan Call:
Joe Roberto
Oregon AFO Coordinator
NPDES Compliance Unit
Office of Water
EPA Region 10
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1669 (direct line) or
(800) 424-4372, ext. 1669
Bub Loiselle, Manager
NPDES Compliance Unit
Office of Water
EPA Region 10
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-6901 (direct line) or
(800) 424-4372, ext. 6901
Debra Packard
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 10
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-0247 (direct line) or
(800) 424-4372, ext. 0247
To ensure effective communication with everyone,
additional services can be made available by
calling EPA's toll-free number at 1-800-424-4372.
Web Surfing for EPA Region 10: Check out our
homepage at:
http://www.epa.gov/r1 Dearth
EPA910-F-99-008
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101-1128
EPA's Animal
Feeding
Operation (AFO)
Inspections in
Washington
-------
Application Directly into a Drainage Ditch
What is EPA doing?
As part of an ongoing effort to restore and maintain
the quality of Washington's lakes, rivers and
streams, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region 10 is inspecting waste
management practices at AFOs to determine if
these facilities are complying with the Clean Water
Act.
Why is EPA focusing on AFOs?
Inappropriate waste handling and land application
practices from AFOs can lead to significant
contamination of valuable water resources within
the state of Washington, including creeks, streams,
rivers, ponds, lakes and groundwater. Examples
include excessive land application of manure and
animals with direct access to streams, rivers and
irrigation canals. When surface water bodies do
not meet the state's existing water quality
standards (for temperature, fecal coliform bacteria,
dissolved oxygen, nutrients and aesthetics),
human health and aquatic habitat can be
Runoff from Corral (background) Flowing into
Ditch (foreground)
significantly affected. In some cases, fish and
other aquatic wildlife can become diseased and
possibly die.
This situation can adversely affect human health,
particularly in communities depending on fish or
shellfish as a major food source. Region 10's
inspection initiative, in part, is a response to
President Clinton's call to target enforcement of
livestock operations that may be impacting
valuable water resources.
What is EPA's inspection plan?
As part of Region 10's oversight authority, EPA will
continue inspections in Washington and within
Tribal boundaries. EPA will be working closely
with the Washington Department of Ecology and
Tribal environmental agencies to identify critical
areas in the state that have had a high probability
factor of degrading water quality if AFOs discharge
waste products to surface waters.
What does EPA do if we locate a
non-complying AFO?
EPA has several options to compel compliance
with the Clean Water Act. Below is a summary of
enforcement options that will be considered.
Warning Letter: This type of letter is used for
animal feeding operations with potential to
violate.
Administrative Order: EPA can issue an
Administrative Order to the AFO owner and/or
operator who is not complying with the "no-
discharge" standard required by the Clean
Water Act. Typically, orders require the owner
and/or operator to correct the problem and
eliminate the violation within a specified time
period. Failure to comply with this order is
subject to civil penalties: up to $27,500 per day
for each violation.
Administrative Penalties: EPA is authorized to
penalize those facilities in non-compliance up to
$11,000 per day for each violation. There is a
statutory limit of $137,500 that can be assessed
via the administrative process. For larger
penalties, EPA must utilize the federal judicial
system (see next item).
Judicial Penalties: The Clean Water Act
authorizes EPA to assess civil penalties up to
$27,500 per day for each violation.
Criminal Prosecution: For those who are caught
knowingly violating the Clean Water Act,
criminal prosecution is a possible enforcement
response.
Violations such as those pictured in this brochure
could result in administrative penalties.
Cattle with Direct Access to a River.
------- |