EPA to regulate release of animal effluent as wastewater

WASHINGTON D.C. — Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) now must explain, as part of their EPA permit application, how they intend to manage livestock effluent. When CAFOs apply for their Clean Water Act permit, the EPA will now require them to submit a nutrient management plan (NMP) as well.

The plan should prevent the release of millions of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorous into nearby watersheds, says the EPA.

But not everyone feels certain the NMP regulation will work. According the Environment News Service, environmentalists are concerned that the rule allows CAFOs to decide whether or not they need the permit, allowing big polluters to get by without submitting to the permit plan.

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Source: EPA, Environment News Service