| How to comment? Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2011–0188, maybe submitted by one of the following methods: www.regulations.gov: follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. Mail: Send your comments to: Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20460. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center, 1301, Constitution Ave., NW, Room 3334, Washington, D.C. Such deliveries are onlyaccepted during the Docket’s normal hours. |
The public now has until January 19th to comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal of a rule that will enable the agency to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on a national level.
The proposed rule would enable the EPA to monitor manure quality, the transferring of manure, available acreage for land application and application of manure on a national scale, all of which is aimed at preventing water runoff and protecting water quality.
The EPA has proposed two options regarding which CAFOs would be required to submit information to the agency.
Option 1 would require every CAFO to report the information to the EPA unless the state chooses to provide the information on behalf of the CAFO.
Option 2 would require only CAFOs that fall within focus watersheds — areas that have been identified as having water quality concerns associated with CAFOs — would be required to report information to the EPA.
Option two would identify focus watersheds based on water quality as assessed by levels of nutrients, pathogens, total suspended solids and organic enrichment.
The EPA is asking for input on:
- The minimum standards for selection of focus watersheds
- How frequently the EPA should review its identification of focus watersheds
- What sources of data might be used to identify focus watersheds.
Require all CAFOs to submit forms to EPA!
For more information and how you can comment Click here.
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