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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
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