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We've Moved: The Illinois EPA Headquarters has moved to 2520 W Iles Ave, PO Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Within Illinois, Illinois EPA “Agency” administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the federal Clean Water Act. An NPDES permit establishes the conditions under which a pollutant discharge may occur and the monitoring and reporting requirements for a permitted facility. The Illinois Pollution Control Board promulgated new CAFO Rules under 35 Illinois Administrative Code, Subtitle E, Parts 501 and 502 on August 11, 2014, to be consistent with the 2008 Final federal CAFO Rule.

PART 501 GENERAL PROVISIONS

PART 502 PERMITS

Part 501 establishes that all livestock waste handling facilities and livestock management facilities have an obligation to make a site-specific determination of whether the facility is subject to NPDES permit requirements. If a facility is determined subject to NPDES it must comply with Part 502 requirements. Discharging without a permit, depending on the seriousness of the problems, may result in serious statutory enforcement actions by the Agency or the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

  • 1. What is an AFO?
  • 2. What is an CAFO?
  • 3. Who needs to apply for a NPDES Permit?
  • 4. What is a Large CAFO?
  • 5. What is a Medium CAFO?
  • 6. What is a Small CAFO
  • 7. What is Agricultural Stormwater?
  • 8. What about unpermitted Large CAFOs?
  • 9. How do I apply for an NPDES Permit?
  • 10. What are the fees for an NPDES Permit?
  • 11. Additional CAFO information and Public Notices
  • 12. Who should I call if I have questions?

1. What is an AFO?

The Illinois Pollution Control Board defines an AFO as a lot or facility where animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for at least 45 days in a 12-month period and crops, vegetation, and forage growth are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.

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2. What is a CAFO?

An AFO can be further classified as a CAFO based on types and quantities of confined animals at the facility, certain discharge conditions, and in some cases by Agency designation.  A CAFO is a point source, and when there is a discharge from a point source, an NPDES permit is required. See below for further CAFO definition criteria.

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3. Who needs to apply for a NPDES Permit?

An NPDES permit is required for any discharge from a point source to waters of the United States. Congress has explicitly included CAFOs in its definition of point source under the Clean Water Act. If an AFO meets the criteria for CAFO and there is a discharge, that discharge must be covered by a permit at the time it discharges.

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4. What is a Large CAFO?

An AFO is defined as a Large CAFO if at least the number of animals specified below are stabled or confined:

  • 700 mature dairy cows
  • 1,000 veal calves
  • 1,000 beef cattle or heifers
  • 500 horses
  • 2,500 swine (each 55 lbs. or more)
  • 10,000 swine (each under 55 lbs.)
  • 10,000 sheep or lambs
  • 55,000 turkeys
  • 30,000 ducks (other than liquid manure handling systems)
  • 5,000 ducks (liquid manure handling systems)
  • 30,000 chickens (liquid manure handling systems)
  • 125,000 chickens except laying hens (other than liquid manure handling systems)
  • 82,000 laying hens (other than liquid manure handling systems)

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5. What is a medium CAFO?

An Animal Feeding Operation is defined as a Medium CAFO if the following types and numbers of animals are stabled or confined and the operation discharges pollutants to or is in contact with waters of the United States, or the Agency has designated it as CAFO.

  • 200 - 699 mature dairy cows
  • 300 - 999 veal calves
  • 300 - 999 beef cattle or heifers
  • 150 - 499 horses
  • 750 - 2,499 swine (each 55 lbs. or more)
  • 3,000 - 9,999 swine (each under 55 lbs.)
  • 3,000 - 9,999 sheep or lambs
  • 16,500 - 54,999 turkeys
  • 10,000 - 29,999 ducks (other than liquid manure handling systems)
  • 1,500 - 4,999 ducks (liquid manure handling systems)
  • 9,000 - 29,999 chickens (liquid manure handling systems)
  • 37,500 - 124,999 chickens except laying hens (other than liquid manure handling systems)
  • 25,000 - 81,999 laying hens (other than liquid manure handling systems)

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6. What is a small CAFO?

An Animal Feeding Operation is a Small CAFO if the Agency designates it as a CAFO under Section 502.106 and it is not a Medium CAFO.

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7. What is Agricultural Stormwater

Generally, a discharge from land application area will be subject to NPDES permit except when it is considered agricultural stormwater. It may be considered Agricultural Stormwater when:

·       livestock waste applied at rates appropriate for agricultural utilization of nutrients

·       Compliance with NMP for permitted CAFOs

·       Compliance with nutrient management practices in 502.510(b) for unpermitted Large CAFOs

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8. What about large Unpermitted CAFOs?

Large CAFOs are not required to obtain an NPDES permit by virtue of their categorization alone. An NPDES permit is required for a large CAFO when and if it has a discharge whereas medium and small CAFOs require NPDES permit coverage by definition.  Certain other requirements do apply, however. Illinois Pollution Control Board’s rules require that Large Unpermitted CAFOs must follow Section 502.510(b) to qualify for the agricultural stormwater exemption.

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9. How do I apply for coverage under the General NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations?

CAFO owners or operators must submit a notice of intent that meets the requirements of Section 502.201 and Subpart E when seeking NPDES permit coverage. Submittal of an application for a NPDES permit must include completed and signed Forms 1 and 2B and all specific information regarding the facility and its operations in accordance with Subtitle E and the General permit. Additional required information includes:

·       A nutrient management plan consistent with Subpart E

·       A stormwater pollution prevention plan

·       A spill control and prevention plan

Instructions and the NPDES forms can be downloaded at the links shown on this page.  Examples of the NMP, SWPPP, and SCPP are also found below. The application should be submitted to:

        Illinois EPA

        Division of Water Pollution Control

        Permit Section

        2520 W Iles Ave

        PO Box 19276

        Springfield, IL 62794-9276

 

NPDES Form 1 with instructions

NPDES Form 2B with instructions

NMP (example)

Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

Spill Control and Prevention Plan (Refer to P-8 and P-9)

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10. What are the fees for an NPDES Permit?

For an NPDES permit for a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), the fee is:

(A)  $750 for a Large CAFO, as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122.23(b)(4);

(B)   $350 for a Medium CAFO, as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122.23(b)(6); and

(C)   $150 for a Small CAFO, as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122.23(b)(9)

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11. Additional CAFO Information and Public Notices

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12. Who should I call if I have questions?

If you need more information, you may contact the Illinois EPA, Division of Water Pollution Control, Permit Section at (217) 782-0610 regarding the concentrated animal feeding operations covered by the general permit. 

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