Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs)

• animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
• crops, vegetation, forage growth or postharvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility where the animals are housed.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Because of nationally recognized problems from animal waste, EPA requires permits for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFOs)-and defines a CAFO as an Animal Feeding Operation which meets one of the following three conditions:

• any Animal Feeding Operation over 1,000 animal units
• operations over 300 animal units that discharge pollutants into bodies of surface water directly, or discharge pollution into water that passes over or comes through the facility
• operation of any size that significantly contribute pollution to the waters of the United States

Who Qualifies for Assistance?

CAFOs in the first category (over 1,000 animal units) are currently being actively regulated and may not receive assistance from this project. However, there is a window of opportunity for CAFOs in the second two categories.

While the EPA is focused on bringing the larger facilities into compliance, owners of CAFOs in the second two categories can implement Best Management Practices and avoid future permits and other regulations.

The project's resource management specialists can help these owners with (1) planning and other technical assistance, (2) design assistance through consulting engineers, and (3) locating financial assistance to install Best Management Practices.

For more information about the EPA regulation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations visit the EPA CAFO Final Rule website to gauge how this rule will affect your operation.