Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972 St. Paul, Minn. -- Public comments are now being accepted for a proposed five-year (2011-2016) general operating permit for large feedlots, or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will accept comments through Aug. 12, 2009. About 1,200 large livestock facilities in Minnesota operate under a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System (NPDES/SDS) permit. The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from "point" sources to U.S. surface waters. The federal Clean Water Act defines CAFOs as point sources. In July and August 2008, the MPCA conducted information meetings around the state about the proposed general permit. Representatives from the livestock industry and other interested groups offered comments that were helpful in the early stages of the permit development. The draft permit would prohibit the discharge of pollutants from livestock production areas, and restrict the amount of pollutants entering waters as a result of land application of manure. It is intended to protect surface water quality around feedlot facilities and to minimize any potential impacts from pollution caused by pathogens and nutrients, primarily from manure. The 2011-2016 draft general permit is a combination of the federal requirements for large CAFOs and Minnesota rules and statutes. While it is similar to the current 2006 general permit; some changes reflect federal court decisions affecting federal rules. A significant change moves the issuance date up to Feb. 1, 2011 instead of May 31, 2011 to better align with the spring construction season. This also moves the application deadline ahead to Aug. 1, 2010. Some of the other proposed changes include:
-- Manure management plans are required to cover the five-year permitting period.
-- There are increased restrictions for liquid manure application to frozen and snow-covered soils.
-- A revised permit application is required for expansion construction, increased animal numbers, or altering manure management.
-- Ownership change requires permit transfer approval.
-- Disposal requirements are added for construction and hazardous materials.
-- Anaerobic digesters are eligible for a general permit; other alternative technologies require individual permits. The draft 2011 general NPDES/SDS permit and fact sheet are available for review at all MPCA offices from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The MPCA has offices at 520 Lafayette Rd. N. in St. Paul; 7678 College Road, Suite 105, in Baxter (near Brainerd); 714 Lake Ave., Suite 220, in Detroit Lakes; 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165, in Mankato; 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900, in Marshall; 18 Wood Lake Drive, S.E., in Rochester; and at 1601 Highway 12 E., Suite 1, in Willmar. Copies of the draft general permit and fact sheet may be downloaded from the Web site at hhref="/hot/feedlot-forms.html#newnpdes, or they can be obtained by writing to the MPCA or calling the agency at 651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864. Users of telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired should call 651-282-5332. During the public notice period, written comments should be sent to Kim Brynildson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194. For more information about the draft general permit, contact your MPCA regional feedlot staff (for that person's contact information, call 800-657-3864 or go online to hhref="/hot/feedlots.html#contacts).