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Permit (Effective July 21, 2006)
Fact Sheet
In 2003, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Clean Water Act to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Under these new rules, CAFOs that discharge or propose to discharge to waters of the state are point source polluters and regulated by the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program.
Incorporating the federal CAFO rules, the Second Circuit Court “Waterkeeper” decision, and two public comment periods, Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit June 21, 2006. This permit became effective July 7, 2006 and expires July 21, 2011.
The CAFO General Permit is part of a split livestock program covered by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) overseen by both Ecology and Department of Agriculture (Agriculture). Ecology is responsible for administering the permit, while Agriculture provides inspection and technical assistance to CAFO permitted facilities and to dairies covered under the Dairy Nutrient Management Act (RCW 90.64).
Nutrient management plans (NMPs) play a central role in CAFO permits. CAFO facilities that apply for permit coverage are required to submit an NMP that conforms to United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) or equivalent best management practices (BMPS) to Ecology for review and acceptance at the time they submit their application. When the NMP is accepted and permit coverage issued, the terms of the NMP become the terms of the CAFO Permit that the permittee must meet.
If your facility meets the definition of a CAFO, and discharges or proposes to discharge to Waters of the state, you have a duty to apply for the CAFO General Permit. CAFOs that do not have a duty to apply for permit coverage due to discharge may voluntarily choose to apply for permit coverage.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
