July 27, 2015
The 30-day public notice for the next five-year National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) draft general permit for eligible livestock farms begins July 27. The draft permit is available on the MPCA Public Notices webpage, and at regional offices. Comments on the draft permit can be sent to Kim Brynildson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155, kim.brynildson@state.mn.us.
Written comments on the draft general permit must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26. Comments must include a statement of your interest in the draft feedlot permit; an explanation of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft permit that you believe should be changed; and specific reasons supporting your position. Comments will be reviewed and considered, leading to a final draft of the permit. The current NPDES/SDS general permit expires Jan. 31, 2016.
 Livestock producers seeking the 2016-2021 NPDES general permit coverage for new construction, expansion, or continuing permit coverage are reminded to use the most current application form, and the MPCA's Manure Management Planner spreadsheet. The current forms are available on the MPCA website, and at regional offices.
According to the permit, applications for renewal of existing permits should occur Aug. 6, or 180 days prior to the Jan. 31, 2016 expiration of the current permit. However, to allow more time to review the new permit, this timeline for permit renewal application is being extended to Sept. 15.
The 2016-2021 NPDES general permit application is available on the MPCA feedlot program permit information and application forms webpage, and at regional offices. Livestock producers who submit an application will be notified by letter when the application is received.
The new application form and the Manure Management Planner spreadsheet, are located on the MPCA's Nutrient and Manure Management webpage
Livestock farms that meet the federal definition of a large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation and that have a discharge to a water of the U.S. are required to have either an NPDES or SDS permit to correct the discharge. More information on the NPDES and SDS permits for feedlots is available in a fact sheet: "NPDES and SDS permits for feedlots - determining when a permit is required."
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The State Disposal System (SDS) general permit for livestock feedlots capable of holding 1,000 animal units (AU) or more, or the manure generated by 1,000 AU or more, as defined under Minnesota law, is now available. Livestock producers seeking coverage under an SDS permit are reminded to use the most current application forms and the MPCA's Manure Management Planner spreadsheet. Livestock producers with current NPDES/SDS permit coverage who wish to apply for an SDS permit are not
required to submit a permit termination request for their existing permit. Copies of the SDS permit, forms, and spreadsheet are available on the MPCA feedlot program webpage and at regional offices.
An SDS permit covers ten years and is required for any facility that currently has capacity, or is proposing to have capacity, for a total of 1,000 or more AU. Only those feedlots that do not discharge are eligible for the general SDS permit. Discharge means the addition of a pollutant to waters. Common discharges include the release of animal manure or manure-contaminated runoff or process wastewater from an open lot, manure storage area, land application site, or feed storage area.
A facility that is required to obtain an SDS permit may choose to obtain an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in lieu of the SDS permit. More information on the NPDES and SDS permits for feedlots is available in a fact sheet: "NPDES and SDS permits for feedlots - determining when a permit is required."
The county that was hardest hit by HPAI in Minnesota is making tremendous strides in recovery. Last week the Kandiyohi County control area has been released from quarantine. Once certain criteria is met, HPAI control areas are released from quarantine. This means that poultry producers and backyard flock owners of non-infected premises are no longer restricted in moving poultry or poultry products off of or onto their farms. More.
Contact
If you have questions or seek more information about these articles or other MPCA feedlot program topics, contact Forrest Peterson, forrest.peterson@state.mn.us, 320-441-6972.
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