FACT SHFFT
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Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Horse Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenence and
operation of concentrated horse feeding opera-
tions.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are horse CAFOs and how are they defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Horse feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
500 horses.
Smaller horse feeding operations are also considered
to be CAFOs if they contain more than 150 horses, AND
discharge their wastes into waters of the U.S. through
man-made ditches, flushing systems, or similar devices,
OR discharge their wastes directly into U.S. waters that
originate outside the facilility and pass over, across,
around, or through the facility, or otherwise come into
contact with the animals confined. Areas of the CAFO
may include watering systems; washing, cleaning, or
flushing pens, and manure stacks or pits. Areas where
dust is produced are included because the dust may
be composed of particles of manure, litter, or bedding
and feedstuffs.
Two operations with the same owner are considered
one operation if they share a common border or have a
common waste disposal system (wastes are com-
mingled prior to discharge).
Why are some horse feeding operations
considered CAFOs. even though they are partially
sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of horses) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In
partially sheltered operations, the number of animals
maintained at the facility for 45 days or more is the
combined number of animals in open and sheltered
areas of the facility. The entire operation is considered
one unit, and all the animals are counted for the
purposes of CAFO classification.
Livestock marketing oeprations also may be subject to
CAFO requirements. Auction houses and transfer
facilities that meet the regulatory definition of a CAFO
must have NPDES permits if they discharge
wastewater to U.S. waters.
For example, a livestock market where 550 horses are
maintained for four days per month, or 48 days in each
12-month period, is considered a CAFO.
Why the sudden concern for horse CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the livestock industry, the
public, and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES
program provides a means of addressing the problem
by regulating the discharge of pollutants from horse
CAFOs by permit. Page 2 lists some sources of
information you can obtain to help you understand and
interpret the NPDES regulations for horse CAFOs.
-------
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NPDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
Jbr Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to request
EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (EPA 833-B-95-
001; December, 1995), and EPA's other new Factsheets
on general application of NPDES regulations to CAFOs,
as well as species-specific Factsheets for other animal
industries.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations affect-
ing CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the Permits
Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fail-child Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 564-0028
-------
FA f*T QHFFT
JL jf\ W -I O 1 A l~> L-i I
Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Slaughter and Feeder Cattle Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated slaughter and feeder
cattle feeding operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act(CWA) of 1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are slaughter and feeder cattle CAFOs and
how are they defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Slaughter and feeder
cattle feeding operations are considered to be CAFOs
if they meet these two criteria and, in addition, house
more than 1,000 slaughter and feeder cattle.
Smaller feeding operations are also considered to be
CAFOs if they contain more than 300 slaughter and
feeder cattle AND discharge their wastes into waters
of the U.S. through man-made ditches, flushing
systems, or similar devices, OR discharge their wastes
directly into U.S. waters that originate outside the
facility and pass over, across, around, or through the
facility, or otherwise come into contact with the animals
confined. Areas of the CAFO may include cattle
watering systems; washing, cleaning, or flushing pens,
and manure stacks or pits. Areas where dust is
produced are included because the dust may be
composed of particles of manure, litter, or bedding and
feedstuffs.
Two operations with the same owner are considered
one operation if they share a common border or have a
common waste disposal system (wastes are
commingled prior to discharge).
Why are some slaughter and feeder cattle feeding
operations considered CAFOs. even though they
are partially sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of cattle) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In
partially sheltered operations, the number of animals
maintained at the facility for 45 days or more is the
combined number of animals in open and sheltered
areas of the facility. The entire operation is considered
one unit, and all the animals are counted for the
purposes of CAFO classification.
Livestock marketing operations also may be subject to
these provisions. Auction houses and transfer facilities
that meet the regulatory definition of a CAFO must
have NPDES permits if they discharge wastewater to
U.S. waters.
For example, a livestock market where 1,500 cattle are
maintained for four days per month, or 48 days in each
12-month, is considered a CAFO.
Why the sudden concern for slaughter and feeder
cattle CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the livestock industry, the
public, and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES
program provides a means of addressing the problem
by regulating the discharge of pollutants from
slaughter and feeder cattle CAFOs by permit. Page 2
lists some sources of information you can obtain to help
you understand and interpret the NPDES regulations
for cattle CAFOs.
-------
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NPDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
far Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR 11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to request
EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (EPA 833-B-95-
001: December, 1995), and EPA's other new Factsheets
on general application of NPDES regulations to CAFOs,
as well as species-specific Factsheets for other animal
industries.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations
affecting CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the
Permits Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 564-0028
-------
FAPT QMPFT
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Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Swine Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated swine feeding
operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act(CWA) of 1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are swine CAFOs and how are they defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Swine feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
2,500 swine, each weighing over 25 kilograms (55
pounds).
Smaller swine feeding operations are also considered
to be CAFOs if they contain more than 750 swine, each
weighing over 25 kilograms (55 pounds) AND
discharge their wastes into waters of the U.S. through
man-made ditches, flushing systems, or similar devices,
OR discharge their wastes directly into U.S. waters that
originate outside the facility and pass over, across,
around, or through the facility, or otherwise come into
contact with the animals confined. Areas of the CAFO
may include watering systems; washing, cleaning, or
flushing pens, and manure stacks or pits. Areas where
dust is produced are included because the dust may
be composed of particles of manure, litter, or bedding
and feedstuffs.
Two operations with the same owner are considered
one operation if they share a common border or have a
common waste disposal system (wastes are
commingled prior to discharge).
Why are some swine feeding operations
considered CAFOs. even though they are partially
sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of swine) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In
partially sheltered operations, the number of animals
maintained at the facility for 45 days or more is the
combined number of animals in open and sheltered
areas of the facility. The entire operation is considered
one unit, and all the animals are counted for the
purposes of CAFO classification.
Livestock marketing operations also may be subject to
these CAFO requirements. Auction houses and
transfer facilities that meet the regulatory definition of
a CAFO must have NPDES permits if they discharge
wastewater to U.S. waters.
For example, a livestock market where 2,700 mature
swine (each over 55 pounds) are maintained for four
days per month, or 48 days in each .12-month period,
is considered a CAFO.
Why the sudden concern for swine CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the swine industry, the public,
and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES
program provides a means of addressing the problem
by regulating the discharge of pollutants from swine
CAFOs by permit. Page 2 lists some sources of
information you can obtain to help you understand and
interpret the NPDES regulations for swine CAFOs.
-------
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NPDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
far Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR 11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to request
EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (EPA 833-B-95-
001: December, 1995), and EPA's other new Factsheets
on general application of NPDES regulations to CAFOs,
as well as species-specific Factsheets for other animal
industries.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations
affecting CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the
Permits Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 564-0028
-------
Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Sheep Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated sheep feeding
operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act (CWA) of1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are sheep CAFOs and how are they defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Sheep feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
10,000 sheep or lambs.
Smaller sheep feeding operations are also considered
to be CAFOs if they contain more than 3,000 sheep or
lambs AND discharge their wastes into waters of the
U.S. through man-made ditches, flushing systems, or
similar devices, OR discharge their wastes directly into
U.S. waters that originate outside the facility and pass
over, across, around, or through the facility, or
otherwise come into contact with the animals confined.
Areas of the CAFO may include watering systems;
washing, cleaning, or flushing pens, and manure stacks
or pits. Areas where dust is produced are included
because the dust may be composed of particles of
manure, litter, or bedding and feedstuffs.
Two operations with the same owner are considered
one operation if they share a common border or have a
common waste disposal system (wastes are
commingled prior to discharge).
Why are some sheep feeding operations
considered CAFOs, even though they are partially
sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of sheep) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In
partially sheltered operations, the number of animals
maintained at the facility for 45 days or more is the
combined number of animals in open and sheltered
areas of the facility. The entire operation is considered
one unit, and all the animals are counted for the
purposes of CAFO classification.
Livestock marketing operations also may be subject to
these CAFO requirements. Auction houses and
transfer facilities that meet the regulatory definition of
a CAFO must have NPDES permits if they discharge
wastewater to U.S. waters.
For example, a livestock market where 11,000 sheep or
lambs are maintained for four days per month, or 48
days in each 12-month period, is considered a CAFO.
Why the sudden concern for sheep CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the livestock industry, the
public, and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES
program provides a means of addressing the problem
by regulating the discharge of pollutants from sheep
CAFOs by permit. Page 2 lists some sources of
information you can obtain to help you understand and
interpret the NPDES regulations for sheep CAFOs.
-------
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NPDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
far Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary far
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR 11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to
request EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES
Regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
(EPA 833-B-95-001; December, 1995), and EPA's
other new Factsheets on general application of
NPDES regulations to CAFOs, as well as species-
specific Factsheets for other animal industries.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations
affecting CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the
Permits Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III pC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region Vn (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, NO, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Comp 1 iance/ Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 564-0028
-------
Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Poultry Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated poultry feeding
operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are poultry CAFOs and how are they
defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Poultry feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
55,000 turkeys, 100,000 laying hens or broilers on a
continuous flow watering system; 30,000 laying hens
or broilers on a liquid manure system, or 5,000 ducks.
Smaller poultry feeding operations are also considered
to be CAFOs if they contain more than 16,500 turkeys,
or 30,000 laying hens or broilers on a continuous
watering system; 9,000 laying hens or broilers on a
liquid manure system; or 1,500 ducks, AND discharge
their wastes into waters of the U.S. through man-made
ditches, flushing systems, or similar devices, OR
discharge their wastes directly into U.S. waters that
originate outside the facility and pass over, across,
around, or through the facility, or otherwise come into
contact with the birds confined. Areas of the CAFO
may include poultry watering systems; washing,
cleaning, or flushing pens, and manure stacks or pits.
Areas where dust is produced are included because
the dust may be composed of particles of manure, litter,
or bedding and feedstuffs.
Why are some poultry feeding operations
considered CAFOs. even though they are partially
sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of birds) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In the
case of some poultry rearing operations, such as
turkeys housed in separate units on one facility, the
entire operation is considered one unit, and all the birds
are counted for the purposes of CAFO classification.
For example, a turkey operation with 60,000 birds with
10,000 birds each housed in six individual totally-
enclosed facilities that collects its dry waste three times
a year and stores it in another completely closed
structure for later application to fields as fertilizer is
not a CAFO, because there is no potential for the waste
to be discharged from the operation until it is applied
to the fields. This evaluation assumes that the wastes
are applied at accepted agronomic rates. If the waste
is over-applied or applied in excessive frequencies, any
resulting addition of pollutants to nearby waters would
be considered to be from a CAFO.
Similarly, the stacking of dry poultry litter in a manner
that exposes it to precipitation or runoff may produce
transport and entry of pollutants into nearby waters,
thus rendering the system a crude type of liquid
manure system for process wastewater, and would be
subject to the NPDES regulations for CAFOs. These
facilities would be point sources under the NPDES
program if the number of birds confined at the facility
meets the regulatory definition as outlined in
paragraph 2, or if the facility has been designated a
CAFO on an individual basis.
Why the sudden concern for poultry CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the poultry industry, the public,
-------
and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES system
provides a means of addressing the problem by
regulating the discharge of pollutants from poultry
CAFOs by permit. This page lists some sources of
information you can obtain to help you understand and
interpret the NPDES regulations for poultry CAFOs.
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NFDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
for Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to request
EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (EPA 833-B-95-
001, December, 1995) and EPA's other new Factsheets
on general application of NPDES regulations to CAFOs,
as well as species-specific Factsheets for other animal
industries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations affecting
CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the Permits
Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III PC DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VH (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 5644)028
-------
Office of Wastewater Management
NPDES Regulations Governing Manag
Of Concentrated Dairy Cattle Feeding Op
ement
perations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated dairy cattle feeding
operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act (CW A) of 1972, Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are dairy cattle CAFOs and how are they
defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFO)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feed ing operation
if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals for a
total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth, or
post-harvested residues in the normal growing season
over any portion of the facility. Dairy cattle feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
700 mature dairy cattle.
Smaller dairy cattle feeding operations are also
considered to be CAFOs if they contain more than 200
mature dairy cattle AND discharge their wastes into
waters of theU.S. through man-made ditches, flushing
systems, or similar devices, OR discharge their wastes
directly into U.S. waters that originate outside the
facility and pass over, across, around, or through the
facility, or otherwise come into contact with the animals
confined. Areas of the CAFO may include watering
systems; washing, cleaning, or flushing pens, and
manure stacks or pits. Areas where dust is produced
are included because the dust may be composed of
particles of manure, litter, or bedding and feedstuffs.
Two operations with the same owner are considered
one operation if they share a common border or have a
common waste disposal system (wastes are
commingled prior to discharge).
Why are some dairy cattle feeding operations
considered CAFOs. even though they are partially
sheltered or temporarily housed?
A totally enclosed facility with no discharge of wastes
to U.S. waters is not a CAFO. However, a partially-
sheltered facility IS a CAFO if it meets the size (number
of cattle) and discharge criteria of the NPDES
regulations, or if it has been designated a CAFO on a
case-by-case basis by the permitting authority. In
partially sheltered operations, the number of animals
maintained at the facility for 45 days or more is the
combined number of animals in open and sheltered
areas of the facility. The entire operation is considered
one unit, and all the cattle are counted for the purposes
of CAFO classification.
This is in contrast to the situation where an operation
has an enclosed facility and an open lot facility where
the two facilities are not adjoining and have separate
waste management systems. In facilities that use both
pasture and confined areas where the animals are
concentrated, the confined area may be a CAFO; the
pasture is not subject to NPDES regulations, and the
animals that remain at pasture would not be counted
for classification purposes.
For example, a dairy operation feeds 1,200 cows at
pasture throughout the year. The operation has a
holding area where the cows gather two times a day,
365 days a year before entering the milking barn. The
holding area has no vegetative growth. The holding
area is a CAFO and is covered by the NPDES
regulations.
Why the sudden concern for dairy cattle CAFOs?
Concern over CAFOs is not new; degradation of
ground and surface waters from nitrogen, phosphorus,
and pathogens has increased over the years, and has
renewed interests from the livestock industry, the
public, and regulatory agencies as well. EPA's NPDES
program provides a means of addressing the problem
-------
by regulating the discharge of pollutants from dairy
cattle CAFOs by permit. Page 2 lists some sources of
information you can obtain to help you understand and
interpret the NPDES regulations for dairy cattle CAFOs.
Information from the Code of Federal
Regulations and citations in the FEDERAL
REGISTER can help you understand the
NPDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements Necessary
for Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
* State Program Elements Necessary jbr
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR 11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
In addition to these publications, don't forget to request
EPA's Guidance Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (EPA 833-B-95-
001; December, 1995), and EPA's other new Factsheets
on general application of NPDES regulations to CAFOs,
as well as species-specific Factsheets for other animal
industries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT;
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations affecting
CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the Permits
Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
}FK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL/IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpotnt Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Comp 1 iancc/ Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 5640028
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5 Office of Wastewater Management
^m
NPDES Regulations Governing Management
Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
NPDES and how it affects the maintenance and
operation of concentrated animal feeding
operations.
NPDES stands for EPA's National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System. The NPDES program provides a
system for regulating the discharge of pollutants from
"point" (or discreet) sources into the waters of the
United States by allowing discharges only under
certain conditions specified by the permit. The NPDES
program was established under the Amendments to
the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Section 502 of the
Act defined "concentrated animal feeding operations"
(CAFOs) as point sources subject to regulation under
the Act. As a result, NPDES regulations were written
and published in 1976 defining CAFOs and the
conditions under which they are required to obtain an
NPDES permit.
What are CAFOs and how are they defined?
Basically, CAFOs are animal feeding operations (AFOs)
that meet or exceed numbers of animals (according to
species) established for animal feeding operations. A
facility is considered to be an animal feeding opera-
tion if it stables, confines, feeds, or maintains animals
for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period,
and does not sustain crops, vegetation, forage growth,
or post-harvested residues in the normal growing sea-
son over any portion of the facility. Animal feeding
operations are considered to be CAFOs if they meet
these two criteria and, in addition, house more than
1,000 animal units; house between 301 and 1.000 ani-
mal units and meet or may meet certain discharge re-
quirements; or have been designated a CAFO by the
permitting authority on a case-by-case basis. "Animal
units" are defined by species under the Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (CFR), at 40 CFR122, Appendix B(a).
Method of discharge requirements are set forth under
40 CFR 122, Appendix B(b). Permitting authority on
case-by-case bases is described under 40 CFR 122.23(c).
Why are CAFOs of concern in terms of water pol-
lution?
CAFOs may potentially contaminate nearby creeks,
steams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries from runoff and
discharges during normal operations. Additionally,
CAFOs are of special concern during periods of exces-
sive precipitation, because animal waste collection de-
vices and holding facilities are likely to be overwhelmed
during these events.
Impact of severe weather conditions on CAFOs
under the NPDES Program.
Animal feeding operations that are designated as
CAFOs that experience excessive rainfall events and
discharge animal wastes during these events are subject
to a specific exemption from NPDES regulations
according to the criteria defining a 25-year, 24-hour
storm. These criteria are a statistical calculation of the
National Weather Service, and define the maximum
24-hour precipitation expected per event, with a
probability of the event recurring once in 25 years.
Maps published by the Service show the amount of
rainfall that constitute the 25-year, 24-hour storm event
for every location in the United States. Similar
catastrophic events include tornadoes, hurricanes,
floods, and other events that would cause an overflow
from the required waste retention structure into
surrounding waters. A chronic rainfall event is a series
of wet weather conditions that preclude dewatering of
a properly maintained waste retention structure.
Simply put, an AFO discharging animal wastes only
during such a catastrophic event does not violate the
CWA. However, CAFOs without NPDES permits
authorizing discharges under any other condition than
the 25-year, 24-hour storm event would be in violation
of the CWA because, absent a pertnit, they are not
authorized to discharge wastes at any time or in any
capacity.
What Information is Available on NPDES Regu-
lations Governing CAFOs?
EPA's Office of Wastewater Management.has
published the Guide Manual on NPDES Regulations for
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, (EPA 833-B-95-
001; December, 1995). Other useful EPA publications
include:
• Treatment and Ultimate Disposal of Cattle Feed-
lot Wastes, EPA 660/2-75-013. 1975;
• Development Document far Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and New Source Performance Standard
for the Feedlots Point Source Category, EPA 440/
1-74-004-a. 1974;
• Feedlots Case Studies of Selected States, EPA
Feedlots Workgroup. 1993;
• Guidance for Specifying Management Measures
for Sources ofNonpoint Pollution in Coastal
Waters, EPA, Office of Water. January 1993.
-------
Information on NPDES regulations governing
CAFOs (con't. from p. 1):
• Summary of Water Pollution from Feedlot
Waste: An Analysis of its Magnitude and
Geographic Distribution, EPA Feedlots
Workgroup, 1993.
Additional Information from the Code of
Federal Regulations and citations in the
FEDERAL REGISTER can help understand the
NFDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements
Necessary for Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations affect-
ing CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the Permits
Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617( 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III PC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region FV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VTII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 56M028
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What are CAFOs ?
F A PT 551bs.) 0.4
Sheep or lambs 0.1
How are AFOs defined, and when do they become
CAFOs?
An animal feeding operation, or AFO, is a facility where
animals are, have, or will be confined and fed or
maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-
month period. These confinement areas (bams, sheds,
yards, etc.) do not sustain crops or forage growth in
the normal growing season. If the AFO houses more
than a total of 1,000 animal units, 55,000 or more
turkeys, 100,000 or more laying hens or broilers with
continuous overflow watering, 30,000 or more hens or
broilers on a liquid manure system, or 5,000 or more
ducks, then the facility meets the definition of a CAFO.
If the facility has more than 300 total animal units; 16,
16,500 turkeys, 30,000 laying hens or broilers on
continuous overflow watering, 9,000 laying hens or
broilers on a liquid manure system, or 1,500 ducks, and
discharges pollutants into nearby waters by means of
a man-made ditch, flushing system, or other similar
man-made device, or discharges pollutants directly into
nearby waters that originate outside of or pass over,
across, or though the facility, or otherwise come into
direct contact with the animals confined there, then
these facilities are also considered to be CAFOs.
In addition to the above criteria, any AFO may be
designated as a CAFO based on water quality concerns.
Factors used in making this determination include the
size of the operation, the amount of waste entering
nearby waters, the location of the facility in relation to
nearby waters, the means of conveyance used to carry
process-generated wastewater into nearby water
bodies, site-specific factors such as slope, vegetation,
and rainfall, and the type and frequency of discharge
into nearby waters.
Why are CAFOs of concern in terms of water
pollution?
CAFOs may potentially contaminate nearby creeks,
steams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries from runoff and
discharges during normal operations. Additionally,
CAFOs are of special concern during periods of
excessive precipitation, because animal waste collection
devices and holding facilities are likely to be
overwhelmed during these events, allowing large
volumes of wastewater to enter nearby surface water
bodies.
Public concern over the contamination of surface and
ground water from animal agricultural waste is
currently renewing interest on the part of both the
livestock industry, the public, and regulatory agencies
in developing strategies for reducing and eliminating
this source of water pollution. Of particular concern
are degradation of surface and ground waters from
nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens. EPA.estimates
that animal agriculture contributes about one-third to
one-half of all the nonpoint surface water pollution in
the United States, primarily from the improper
application of animal wastes from confinement
operations and grazing.
What is being done to help solve the problem?
EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) program provides a means of
addressing the problem by regulating the discharge of
pollutants from CAFOs by permit. Under criteria set
forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
-------
Information on NPDES regulations governing
CAFOs (con't. from p. 1):
• Summary of Water Pollution from Feedlot
Waste: An Analysis of its Magnitude and
Geographic Distribution, EPA Feedlots
Workgroup, 1993.
Additional Information from the Code of
Federal Regulations and citations in the
FEDERAL REGISTER can help understand the
NFDES regulations applicable to CAFOs:
• Criteria for Determining a Concentrated
Animal Feeding Operation, 40 CFR Section
122, Appendix B (1992);
• Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,
40 CFR Section 122.23 (1992);
• EPA Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
Feedlots, 40 CFR 412 (Revised through July 1,
1991);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System and State Program Elements
Necessary for Participation: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 40 CFR 54182 (Nov. 20,
1975);
• State Program Elements Necessary for
Participation in the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System: Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations, 41 FR11458 (Mar. 18,
1976);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System General Permit Requirements for
Discharges from Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (Region 6 Final Notice),
58 FR 7610 (Feb. 8,1993).
FOR MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT:
Where Can I Go For More Information?
Additional information on NPDES regulations affect-
ing CAFOs can be obtained by contacting the Permits
Branch in your nearest EPA Regional Office:
EPA Region I (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
(617( 565-4940)
EPA Region II (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-9894
EPA Region III PC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-9078
EPA Region FV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC,
TN)
345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-2019
EPA Region V (IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI)
230 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3507
(312) 353-2079
EPA Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, TX)
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 655-7171
EPA Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7034
EPA Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
99918th Street, Denver, CO 80202-2413
(303) 293-1623
EPA Region IX (AS, AZ, CA, CMI, GU, HI, NV)
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 744-1877
EPA Region X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1728
Permitting:
Office of Wastewater Management
Permits Division (4203)
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-9537/FAX (202) 260-1460
Nonpoint Source:
Office of Wetlands, Oceans
and Watersheds
U.S. EPA
Fairchild Bldg.
499 South Capitol Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 260-7040/FAX (202) 260-7024
Compliance/Enforcement
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
U.S. EPA
Ariel Rios Bldg.
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20044
(202) 564-2280/FAX (202) 56M028
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