Animal Feeding Operations Program

Animal Feeding Operation Program Coordinators:

Rules were adopted on 2/12/2003 by EPA for the CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) Permit Program.

State Rules:

33-16-01 State regulations pertaining to large animal feeding operations (CAFO).

33-16-03.1 State regulations pertaining to medium and small animal feeding operations.

ND livestock program Design Manual pertaining to animal feeding operations.

Public Comments Relating to Regulation Revisions and Livestock Design Manual:

Comments 1, Comments 2, Comments 3, Comments 4, Comments 5, and Comments 6

Oral Testimony

All Comments with Department Reponses

To apply for approval for a livestock waste system in ND, fill out and submit the Livestock Application Form.

Preventing Livestock Pollution in North Dakota

Livestock Waste Management Regulations

Statutory Responsibility

The North Dakota Department of Health has the statutory responsibility to control the pollution of surface waters, ground waters, and the air of the state.

Water Quality Standards have been developed and adopted for the surface waters of North Dakota, as provided by the Water Quality Act of 1965. An extensive Water Pollution Control Act, addressing among other things the control of livestock waste, was adopted by the 1967 state legislature.

The Rules and Regulations for the Control of Pollution from Certain Livestock Enterprises were first issued in 1972 by the State Health Department and updated in 1989 and 2005.

Prohibited Practices

State law prohibits the following practices.

1. Feeding of livestock on ice.

2. Feeding of livestock or handling livestock waste in any way that would allow the waste to enter waters of the state, or to be washed into these waters by runoff from rain or snow melt.

Operations Requiring Approval

The following links are a guidance to determine if you need a feedlot permit and what is required of it:

"Do I Need a Permit?"

Comparison Chart for Animal Feeding Operations

UPDATED 7/2005-Rules and Regulations Presentation

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

There are several places you can obtain information on managing livestock waste.

For information on regulations and developing waste management systems, Contact:

North Dakota Department of Health
Water Quality Division
918 E. Divide Ave., 4th Floor
Bismarck, ND 58506-1947

701.328.5210

Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office may also be able to provide information on developing livestock waste systems and utilizing waste for crops.

The Extension Service at North Dakota State University or your local county Extension agent have reference materials on livestock waste systems and may be able to assist you. One helpful publication is the Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook published by the Midwest Plan Service which can be purchased through NDSU Extension.

Your local district health unit may also be able to assist you with questions on livestock waste issues.

Many North Dakotans want to know more about State regulations designed to prevent pollution from livestock waste.

A RESOURCE OR POLLUTION?

Livestock waste is a valuable resource when used properly. It provides essential nutrients, organic matter, and moisture to cropland. However, these nutrients, which are so beneficial to crops and soils, can have detrimental effects when carried into surface waters or groundwater. In surface waters, they may cause large growths of algae (algal blooms), resulting in fish kills and decreased recreational opportunities. Nutrients in ground water may contaminate drinking water wells.

Our challenge then is to use livestock waste as a resource for food production, but prevent it from polluting surface or ground water resources.

For more information call 701.328.5210 or email Brady Espe, Jeremy Lang or Ken Bickner.

DISCLAIMER
Last Updated: 02/07/2013