Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972, forrest.peterson@state.mn.us

St. Paul, Minn. --  As of Feb. 1, nearly 1,100 of the state’s largest livestock farms are operating under a new, five-year general permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).  Their annual reports will be due March 1.

“We encourage livestock producers to review the permit and become familiar with its provisions and changes,” said Randall Hukriede, an MPCA feedlot program manager.  “At the same time, producers should take a few minutes to fill out their annual report, which is due March 1.”  The annual report consists of updates on livestock numbers, manure management, and manure application records.

Updating a previous permit, the 2011-2016 NPDES general permit combines federal and state provisions for large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and Minnesota rules and statutes.  It prohibits the discharge of pollutants from livestock production areas, and restricts amounts of pollutants entering waters as a result of land application of manure.  The permit is intended to protect surface and ground water quality around feedlot facilities and to minimize any potential impacts from pollution caused by pathogens and nutrients, primarily from manure.

There are several benefits for livestock producers operating with NPDES permits.  A permit establishes clear expectations  about what is required of a producer.  It builds public trust by providing evidence that the feedlot will be constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that protects the environment.  Operating under an NPDES permit also shields the producer from enforcement or citizen lawsuits stemming from unforeseen upsets, emergencies or natural disasters resulting in discharges beyond his or her reasonable control.

Applications include plans for odor and manure management, including land application, emergencies, animal carcass disposal, and operation and maintenance.  Permit notices are posted on the MPCA website’s Public Notices page, and are open to a 30-day public comment period.  The new permit moves the issuance date up to Feb. 1, 2011, instead of May 31, 2011, to better align with the spring construction season.