U.S. EPA Sets Hearing on Change to Ohio Water Pollution Program
The state of Ohio has requested a change in how it administers a federal program to control water pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed approving the state's request and will answer questions and listen to comments on its decision Nov. 18 at an open house and a formal public hearing at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus. The open house will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and the formal public hearing from 7 to 9 p.m. The public comment period runs until Dec. 16.
The EPA has reviewed the state's application to transfer control of parts of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program from the Ohio EPA to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The EPA has proposed approving the application, provided the state changes its laws and rules to resolve issues identified by the EPA. The state has asked the EPA to allow the Ohio Department of Agriculture to administer only that part of the water pollution program that affects concentrated animal feeding operations and storm water runoff from construction of animal feeding operations. The Ohio EPA would continue to issue all other wastewater discharge permits. Clean Water Act regulations allow such splitting of programs.
Animal feeding operations are agricultural enterprises where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Concentrated animal feeding operations must have state-issued NPDES permits to lawfully discharge manure, litteror process wastewater pollutants into lakes, rivers or streams.
Ohio's application and related documents are available on EPA's website at www.epa.gov/region5/water/npdestek/odacafo.htm. The EPA invites comments on the proposal by Dec. 16 either at the hearing, by mail or through the website. Comments must include the commenter's mailing address. Mailed comments must be postmarked by Dec. 16 and sent to: Matt Gluckman, EPA Region 5 Water Division (WN-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.
Source: U.S. EPA