Can the EPA regulate CAFOs?
EPA may approve states to run their own regulatory and permitting programs for CAFOs. If EPA has approved your state, the state is the permitting authority and will issue a permit for your CAFO. EPA has approved most states to run the CAFO program.
What is an EPA CAFO?
AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) are regulated under the NPDES permitting program. The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States.
How many CAFOs are there in the US EPA?
450,000 AFOs
There are approximately 450,000 AFOs in the United States. A CAFO is another EPA term for a large concentrated AFO.
What are two environmental impacts CAFOs?
In addition to polluting ground and surface water, CAFOs also contribute to the reduction of air quality in areas surrounding industrial farms. Animal feeding operations produce several types of air emissions, including gaseous and particulate substances, and CAFOs produce even more emissions due to their size.
Why is CAFO bad?
Over 168 gases are emitted from CAFO waste, including hazardous chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. Airborne particulate matter is found near CAFOs and can carry disease-causing bacteria, fungus, or other pathogens. Animals frequently die in CAFOs.
How many days must an animal be confined in order for a farm to be considered an AFO?
The first part of the regulatory definition of an AFO means that animals must be kept on the lot or facility for a minimum of 45 days in a 12-month period. If an animal is confined for any portion of a day, it is considered to be on the facility for a full day.
What is EPA consent agreement?
A consent decree (CD) is a legal agreement entered into by the United States (through EPA and the Department of Justice) and PRPs. Consent decrees are lodged with a court. Consent decrees are the only settlement type that EPA can use for the final cleanup phase (remedial action) at a Superfund site.
Why are air and water pollution a concern near AFOs?
AFOs and Pollutants Pollutants from AFOs can be harmful to human and animal life. They can result in reduced biodiversity and death of fish populations. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution can contribute to algal blooms which can potentially result in negative health effects in animals and humans.
Why should CAFOs be banned?
The cumulative health risks of CAFO-generated pollution (particularly considering the psychological burden of living with constant stench) are severe enough that the American Public Health Association made its own recommendation to ban CAFOs last year.
Why are cows forced to eat corn instead of grass?
Cattle are fed corn to get them more calories in their daily ration than they could get if eating grass only. The extra calories are used to increase growth (beef cattle) or milk production (dairy cattle). The reason farmers feed their cattle corn instead of grass is money.
What are the benefits of CAFO?
Potential benefits of CAFOs include an economy of scale that affords more efficient sewage and manure management and, in some cases, improved control of some pathogens. For example, trichinosis from pork has been significantly reduced by the improved rodent control made possible by confined feeding operations.
What is considered a feedlot?
What is a feedlot? The EPA defines feedlots, or animal feeding operations (AFOs), as “agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations…that congregate animals, feed, manure and urine, dead animals, and production operations on a small land area.
How does the EPA approve a CAFO permit?
EPA may approve states to run their own regulatory and permitting programs for CAFOs. If EPA has approved your state, the state is the permitting authority and will issue a permit for your CAFO. EPA has approved most states to run the CAFO program.
How does a CAFO contribute to the environment?
To be considered a CAFO, a facility must first be defined as an AFO, and meet the criteria established in the CAFO regulation. Manure and wastewater from AFOs have the potential to contribute pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, sediments, pathogens, hormones, and antibiotics to the environment.
When did CAFOs become part of the Clean Water Act?
EPA 821-R-03-010 November 2003 Producers’ Compliance Guide for CAFOs Revised Clean Water Act Regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Office of Water Office of Wastewater Management U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NOTICE
When did the EPA regulate concentrated animal feeding operations?
EPA promulgated regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in February 12, 2003 that expanded the number of operations covered by the CAFO regulations and included requirements to address the land application of manure from CAFOs. The rule became effective on April 14, 2003.