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The U.S. EPA has released newly-revised regulations governing large livestock farms known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO). The regulations were proposed two years ago but were revised after more than 12,000 comments – many of them critical – were submitted to EPA. Farm Bureau had questioned the accuracy of the data used to formulate the rules, which would have expanded EPA's regulatory scope from an estimated 3,000 livestock operations to 39,000. Under the new rules, 12,000 to 15,000 operations across the United States will be covered.

"Overall, the new regulations appear to be reasonable," said Larry Gearhardt, director of local affairs for OFBF. Gearhardt said the new rules seem to balance agricultural and environmental interests. Another positive aspect he said, is that the rules "tend to lean more toward site-specific regulations rather than adopting one-size-fits-all regulations across the country."

There had been concerns the new rules would lower the number of animals an operation could have before the farm became subject to federal regulations. Gearhardt said the 1,000 animal unit threshold was maintained, but there are other changes that will bring more farms under the rules.

The biggest change is that all CAFOs now must obtain National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Previously, only those that actually discharged into surface waterways were required to have the permit. Also, an exemption for CAFOs that only discharge after rare and severe storm events has been eliminated.

Another significant change is how dry poultry manure handling systems are regulated. These systems now require NPDES permits. Under previous rules they were exempt.

Also of note is that immature swine and dairy heifers will now be included in the animal threshold to require permits.

Gearhardt said another difference under the new rules deals with terminology. The new rules will no longer refer to "animal units" but instead will use actual numbers of animals. The Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) has published a complete list of definitions and animal thresholds. You can view it on the OFBF Web site under Featured Links.

Editors Note: The OLC will host two informational meetings on the new rules. They begin at 7 p.m. and be held Jan. 21 at Fisher Auditorium on the campus of OARDC, Wooster, and Jan. 22 at the auditorium of the Lake Branch Campus of Wright State University, St. Mary’s.