|
News
3/4/08
EPA Proposes Changes to CAFO RulemakingComment Period Open
1/11/07 EPA has proposed a rule change to provide an administrative reporting exemption
for air releases of hazardous substances -- primarily ammonia and hydrogen
sulfide -- from animal waste at farms
7/07 EPA announces extension of permitting requirements for newly defined CAFOs
7/07 EPA laws affecting agriculture
6/14Air Emissions
Monitoring Study
5/4/07 EPA Proposes Extension for new CAFOs to seek permits
Helpful Links
AFOs and Air Quality
CAFO Definitions
CAFO Overview
Producer Compliance Guide for CAFOs
USDA AFO Website
EPA CAFO Resource
CNMP Watch
UMASS Crops, Dairy, Livestock, Equine
Purdue Manure Management Planner
"Nutrient Management Plans More Important than Ever" (NASDA Article)
2005 Circuit Court
Decision on CAFOs
CAFO Final Rule
|
Massachusetts Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Program
DAR home > CAFO
Contact: Gerard Kennedy
 |
CAFOs
A CAFO is a type of Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) where animals are kept
and raised in confinement. CAFOs generate significant quantities of manure, litter and process wastewater that, if not managed properly, can impact surface waters. Due to this potential to impact surface waters, facilities that are defined,
or designated by the EPA as "Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations" (CAFO) under the EPA CAFO Rule, may be subject to permitting requirements and be required to implement
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs). A final rule issued July 18, 2007 extends the deadline for CAFO compliance, establishing February 27, 2009 as the new date for newly defined CAFOs to seek NPDES permit coverage and for permitted CAFOs to develop and implement nutrient management plans (NMPs) as required by EPA’s 2003 CAFO rule. Read more |
Background
In Massachusetts, many livestock operations meet the regulatory definition
for "Animal Feeding Operation" (AFO) because animals are generally
confined for periods of at least 45 days over the course of a year due
to the harsh winter conditions.
If any of these AFOs are impacting water resources, they could potentially
meet the definition for a CAFO; or they could be designated as a CAFO regardless
of size. EPA's CAFO regulations apply to both the production area and the
land application area. EPA is the enforcement authority for the CAFO rule in Massachusetts. |
 |
In Massachusetts, livestock operations typically would be considered as small or medium operations. A dairy operation with between 200 and 699 mature dairy cattle where animal waste is directly impacting a water resource meets the definition for a medium CAFO. A beef operation with 50 cattle that is significantly impacting on a water body could be designated as a CAFO by EPA.
To identify what size livestock operations are considered to be small,
medium or large CAFOs follow this link
Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) field staff are directly providing outreach and education to AFO operators on both EPA's regulatory CAFO program and the availability of technical and financial assistance programs which can help farmers to pro-actively address any water quality impacts. DAR field staff typically conduct a field analysis of a facility and help identify areas where the farmer might need to address potential water quality impacts. Information on technical assistance and funding opportunities are then provided. Among the recommended funding resources available are the state's Agricultural
Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) and the federal EQIP program.
Greater details about CAFOs are provided on the CAFO Overview page. Farmers interested in a field visit to discuss the CAFO rule should contact Gerard Kennedy at 617-626-1773 or gerard.kennedy@state.ma.us. |
|
