EPA To Hold Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Regulations to Address Water Pollution From Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

Business Editors & Environmental Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2001

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 22, 2001 in Chattanooga, Tennessee regarding proposed regulations to address water pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

The meeting will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Chattanooga Clarion Hotel, 407 Chestnut Street. A brief presentation will be given by EPA officials on the proposed regulations followed by a question and answer session. Participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the basic aspects of the proposed regulations prior to the public meeting; each speaker's time will be limited so that all interested persons may have the opportunity to pose questions. Advance registration is not required.

The purpose of the meeting is to enhance public understanding of the proposed regulations for CAFOs. The meeting is not a mechanism for submitting formal comments on the proposal. Individuals and groups who want to submit formal comments are directed to do so as described in the Federal Register announcement for the proposed rule. A copy of the Federal Register announcement and the supporting documents for the proposed rule are available at http://www.epa.gov/ost/guide/cafo/rule.html.

The proposed rule seeks several changes to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations that define which facilities are Animal Feeding Operations and which are CAFOs (that is, subject to the NPDES program) and includes specific requirements in NPDES permits for CAFO manure at both production and land application areas. EPA is also proposing several changes to the effluent guidelines for CAFOs, including guidelines concerning animal confinement and manure storage areas, and land application and off-site transfer of manure.