|
Purpose
of the Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) Air
Emissions Consent Agreement and National
Monitoring Study
On
January 31, 2005, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) published the Animal Feeding Operations
Consent Agreement and Final Order in the Federal
Register. The purpose of the agreement
is to help ensure animal feeding operations
(AFOs) are complying with existing, relevant
air quality laws. While EPA expects AFOs
to comply with relevant air laws, the agency
recognizes that data are lacking to determine
if AFOs are exceeding the regulatory thresholds
for emissions of regulated air pollutants.
Therefore, a two-year national air monitoring
study will be conducted to establish the regulatory
thresholds for emissions from an AFO’s animal
housing structures (barns, covered feedlots,
etc.) and manure storage areas (lagoons, covered
manure pits, etc.). While participation
in the agreement is not mandatory, it does
provide some legal protections for producers. By
signing the agreement producers are provided
protection against certain lawsuits brought
by EPA, the state, and citizens. The
protection would cover all prior history for
an AFO and extends to approximately 2009 (when
the monitoring study is expected to be completed). The
signup period for the AFO Air Compliance Agreement
runs from February 1, 2005 to July 1,
2005.
***** Comment Period Closed May 2, 2005 *****
For
a Short Question and Answer Summary click
here
UK
News Release
Additional
Documents
Additional
Web sites
EPA
Information
|
