CAFO Permitting: Know The Requirements Robert E. Graves Penn State Agricultural, Biological, and Engineering Extension Implementation of Pennsylvania’s CAPO NPDES (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit pro gram is well on its way. Any farm business with live stock (AFO Animal Feeding Operation) that has more than 1000 animal equivalent units (total live weight of animals divided by 1000 one AEU) should have ap plied to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmen tal Protection (DEP) last year for either an individual or a general NPDES permit. We interrupt this article for an important CAFO an nouncement. February 28 is another important date for any farm that is a CAO (Concentrated Animal Opera tion) under the Nutrient Management Act. CAOs with between 301 and 1000 AEUs must apply for a Pennsyulvania CAFO NPDES Permit. To learn more: Contact your regional DEP office Visit DEP Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us/farmers/default.htm. See article by Dodd and Abdalla in Farm Manage ment Reports, November 2001. Contact your County Conservation District Office. Talk with a knowledge able consultant. If you qualify, it is your responsibility to comply. Fines for noncompliance can be substantial. It takes time to develop the materials needed for the Accessories for J.D. Harvesters 4 Cut or 9 Cut rolls, 24” - 30” wide, for 5000 Series Rotary Screen Kits for J.D. Harvesters Harvesters JD 5830 JD 5730 Model 2000 Bagger Processor entire permit application. The main portions of the permit include: • Description and location of your AFO and all land that will receive manure. • Approved NMP (Nutrient Management Plan.) • Conservation Farm Plan (E&S plan for plowing and tilling.) • Identification and implementation of appropriate BMPs (Best Management Practices) to control pollu tion. • Certificate of design, installation and inspection of liquid manure storage structures by a professional en gineer. • A plan for regular inspection, record keeping, emergency response, training and reporting concern ing various aspect of the manure handling and storage system. Long range business plans for any AFO should also consider existing CAFO requirements and the possibil ity that the animal numbers may change. Just like fi nancing, building design and selecting a milking parlor the steps required to obtain an NPDES permit take time and effort. Learning how to work with and abide with DEP reg ulations is becoming just as much a part of operating a dairy as following milk inspection rules. Model 60 Blower Auger Tunnel Complete For John Deere 5000 Series KP, w/4 cut rolls. Process com silage. Wind Tunnel For John Deere 5000 Series KP, w/4 cut rolls. Process com silage
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