New EPA rules force dairy farms to be permitted

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

September 25, 2003 -- Recent changes made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toward concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) regulations have led many dairymen to question what the new rules and guidelines are for - regarding manure discharge and wastewater in the state of Texas.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is a state agency that is available to these farmers to answer such questions and give guidance on how to run a proper and efficient CAFO, while following EPA's regulations. Darrell Williams, with the TCEQ's wastewater permitting section, recently spoke with dairymen at the Texas Dairy Farm and Ranch Show, Sept. 17 in Stephenville. During that time Williams explained the new EPA rules and gave dairymen a chance to voice their opinions on the recent changes.

"We have seen significant changes in environmental regulations for dairymen from the 1980's to today," he said. "Dairymen have made considerable strides in improving the environment when dealing with animal waste. The problem is that you, as dairymen, are not being appreciated for those efforts."

Williams explained that the regulations that were updated and changed deal with CAFO regulations and dairy permitting in the Bosque river.

"Because of the recent problems, those dairymen along the Bosque river will now have to apply for an individual permit." Individual permits will also be required for those operations that are within two miles of a perennial stream or sole source of drinking water supply reservoir and extending three linear miles upstream.

In order to obtain a permit, the farmer must have certain criteria met including having a nutrient management plan available and having an off-site waste disposal plan. Efficient recordkeeping and reporting must also be on hand and EPA requirements must be followed.

The new CAFO regulations was signed by the EPA on December 15. The two federal regulations deal with the permitting and water quality requirements. The schedule for the new changes will take place immediately for those dairy farmers with existing CAFO's. "Those with newly defined CAFO's will have three years to apply," Willliams explained.

For more information on these changes contact Williams at 512-239-5551 or dawillia@TCEQ.state.tx.us.