EPA comments and the NYS CAFO Permit

By: Karl Czymmek
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Some concerns have circulated about comments to the draft NYS CAFO permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

All submitted comments are posted on the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) web site:

• ftp://ftp.dec.ny.gov/dow/CAFO/CommentsReceivedOn2015Permits/
  
  

EPA’s comments, mainly on the Clean Water Act (CWA) Permit, are at:

• ftp://ftp.dec.ny.gov/dow/CAFO/CommentsReceivedOn2015Permits/CAFO-EPA-CWA.pdf
  
  

Some EPA comments address topics that are important to planners and producers.

Please note that DEC is in the process of reviewing and responding to comments from all parties.

At this time, it is unclear if, or how, EPA’s comments will affect either the CWA or Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) permits in terms of timing or language. Until we know more, it will be hard to respond effectively.

The Water Quality Work Group will continue to observe updates and remain engaged with Department of Agriculture and Markets and Department of Environmental Conservation staff as appropriate.

PRO-DAIRY worked with New York Farm Bureau and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association to develop the Water Quality Work Group, which includes farmers, and organizational staff and technical advisors from PRO-DAIRY, the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the private sector. The Work Group focuses on proactive and unified solutions to reduce environmental risk.

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Cornell Dairy Center of Excellence:

A Symposium of Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Dairy Production

Register and view the agenda for the Cornell Dairy Center of Excellence inaugural symposium on PRO-DAIRY's web site. The keynote speaker is Mike McCloskey, DVM, Select Milk Producers and Fair Oaks Farm.
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8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Cornell University
Stocking Hall Convention Center
Tower Road
Ithaca, New York 14853

Julie Berry, Editor | Tom Overton, Director | Facebook