dairies and concentrated animal feeding operations: environmental concerns and research needs usepa,...
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Dairies and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations:
Environmental Concerns and Research Needs
Dairies and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations:
Environmental Concerns and Research Needs
USEPA, Region 9March 2004
OverviewOverview
Background
Water Pollutants and Pathways
Air Pollutants and Pathways
Regulatory Approach
Research Needs
RolesRoles
US EPA, Region 9- guidance and oversight
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service- financial and technical assistance
California State Water Resources Control Board & Regional Boards- permitting authority and implementation
California StatisticsCalifornia Statistics
We’re #1, 2, …!
#1 Dairy cows (1.5 Million)#1 Milk production (32 Billion lbs)#1 Yogurt, most ice cream#2 Cheese production#5 Egg production #6 Turkey production
Why is EPA interested in Animal Feeding Operations?
Why is EPA interested in Animal Feeding Operations? Surface Water
Agricultural operations, including animal feeding operations (AFOs), are the leading contributor to water quality impairments in the nation’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
Ground Water Over application of nutrients can contaminate
underground sources of drinking water Air Quality
Emissions from AFOs, although not fully understood, are believed to affect ambient air quality and climate change
Water Pollutants Water Pollutants
Nutrients • phosphorus, nitrogen
• Nitrates and ammonia
Organic matter, solids, pathogens
Salts, trace metals, pesticides,
antibiotics, and hormones
Potential Water Quality ImpactsPotential Water Quality Impacts
Surface waters can be affected by runoff from improper land application, inadequate storm water containment, and unintended spills. Algal blooms and eutrophication (phosphorus) Fish kills (ammonia and organic matter). Reduces or
depletes oxygen levels. From 1981 and 1999, 19 states reported 4 million fish killed caused by CAFOs
Pathogens – disease causing organisms. Over 150 pathogens found in manure are associated with risks to humans
Other Potential ImpactsOther Potential Impacts
Contamination of ground water - Leaching of nitrates from over application at land
application areas or poorly designed storage structures
- High nitrate levels in ground water pose health risks to infants and pregnant women.
Salts - Excessive salts in the soil can reduce crop yields and
soil fertility; potentially impacts to ground water
Pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones- impacts to water quality not fully understood -- more
research needed
Possible Water Pollution PathwaysPossible Water Pollution Pathways
Surface runoff and erosion
Overflows from storage ponds
Excess application of nutrients/manure to land
Leaching into soil and ground water
Air Pollutants and Possible PathwaysAir Pollutants and Possible Pathways Anaerobic lagoon
Methane (climate change) Hydrogen Sulfide (odors, toxic) Ammonia? (fine particulates)
Other parts of the dairy Volatile Organic Compounds? (ozone) Ammonia? (fine particulates)
Unpaved Roads Particulate Matter
* There is uncertainty about the amount of air pollutants from an AFO
Regulatory Process - ToolsRegulatory Process - Tools Clean Water Act
Prevent discharges to surface waters
Safe Drinking Water Act Standards for drinking water (out of the tap) Limited protection of “underground sources
of drinking water”
Clean Air Act Requires “State Implementation Plans” for
areas that have not met air quality standards
CAFOs in Pacific South WestCAFOs in Pacific South WestCalifornia
Central Valley: 1000 dairies, 200 poultryChino: 250-275 dairiesOther: 50-75 dairies, egg layers, feedlots
Arizona75-100 – dairies, feedlots
Nevada 10-15 – dairies, feedlots
Hawaii/Pacific Islands/Tribal Lands 2 – dairies
What’s a CAFO?What’s a CAFO?
Animal Feeding Operation Confines animals for 45 days in 12 months and Sustains no vegetation in confinement area
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Defined by size of operation
– e.g., 700 mature dairy cows
Smaller facilities can be designated a CAFO
Federal CAFO RequirementsFederal CAFO Requirements
Permit required for all CAFOs by April 2006
Nutrient Management Plan required by December 2006• balances nutrients applied with
crop needs
Research NeedsResearch Needs
What are … the air pollutants (especially volatile
organic compounds and ammonia)? the sources (e.g., animal housing,
corral, storage pond, land application site)?
emission rates from AFO operations?
Research NeedsResearch Needs
What metrics, methods, and models should we use in the future to quantify and monitor these emissions?
What is their relationship to atmospheric deposition and the formation of ground-level Ozone and PM 2.5?
Research NeedsResearch Needs
What are the most effective strategies and practices for minimizing the movement of pollutants from an CAFO into …
surface waters,
ground waters,
and the atmosphere?
Research NeedsResearch Needs
What are the best alternative uses of manure, other than land application, and what are the impacts on …
- health and the environment, and
- costs and ease of implementation of the alternative uses.
More information…More information…
Web sites:
CAFO regulations and outreach materials:
• www.epa.gov/npdes/caforule
• http://www.epa.gov/region09/cross_pr/ animalwaste/index.html
Contact information:
• John [email protected]