After more than one year of deliberation, the Illinois EPA on April 23 released the rules for the "general permit" that will require Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ( CAFOs) to apply for and comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Environmental System, or NPDES, permit. In February 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued permit regulations for CAFOs as a requirement under the federal Clean Water Act. States were given authority to implement the rules for the NPDES permits.

Under the new permit, CAFO facilities will work with IEPA technical staff and submit annual reports, and develop and implement manure and wastewater handling plans. These plans may be based on federal guidelines or on criteria developed under the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act. Once the plans are written by the CAFO operators, they are reviewed by the IEPA to determine whether the facility may be covered under the general permit.

The University of Illinois Extension and others are working to develop materials (either a workbook or interactive CD-Rom) that would assist producers in complying with these regulations and in the record-keeping requirements.

An owner or operator of a "large" or "medium" CAFO, as defined by the regulations, must apply for a CAFO NPDES permit. This distinction is based on the number of animals in the operation, whether manure or wastewater from the operation is discharged to surface waters, or if livestock comes into contact with surface water in the areas in which they are confined. For example, a "large" CAFO would involve more than 2500 mature swine (>55 lb) or 700 mature dairy cows or 1,000 beef cattle. A medium one would have from 750 to 2499 mature swine or 200 to 699 dairy cows or 300 to 999 beef cattle with a potential for a wastewater discharge. Poultry, sheep, and horses also fall under these regulations as defined by the size of the operation.

Medium-size CAFOs can "opt out" of the permit if they do not have a man-made ditch or pipe carrying manure or wastewater to surface waters or have animals in contact with surface water.

There are several deadlines for when a producer must file an application for a CAFO NPDES permit with the Illinois EPA. For more information go to the CAFO Web site at http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/cafo/, or contact Illinois EPA Environmental Help Line at 1-888-372-1996 or cafo@epa.state.il.us

Note: This E-note was based in part on information from the Illinois Pork Producers Association.