RRWC, Michigan

On October 23, the River Raisin Watershed Council (RRWC) sponsored a fact-finding panel on the controversial issue of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, commonly referred to by their acronym, CAFOs. As defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. AFOs generally congregate animals, feed, manure, urine, dead animals, and house production operations on a small area of land. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures. Animal waste and wastewater can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures (due to accidents or excessive rain), and non-agricultural application of manure to crop land. AFOs that meet the regulatory definition of a CAFO have the potential of being regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting program.

An AFO is a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where two conditions are met. (1) 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 (2) crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.

An operation must meet the definition of an AFO before it can be defined or designated as a CAFO. The EPA refers to the actual number of animals at the operation to define a CAFO. (Please see the EPA Regulatory Definitions of Large CAFOs, Medium CAFOs, and Small CAFOs information sheet.)

Concerning water quality and CAFOs, the EPA states:

Manure and wastewater from AFOs have the potential to contribute pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, sediments, pathogens, heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics, and ammonia to the environment. Excess nutrients in water (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) can result in or contribute to low levels of dissolved oxygen (anoxia), eutrophication, and toxic algae blooms. These conditions may be harmful to human health and, in combination with other circumstances, have been associated with outbreaks of microbes such as Pfiesteria piscicida. Decomposing organic matter (i.e., animal waste) can reduce oxygen levels and cause fish kills. Pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium, have been linked to impairments in drinking water supplies and threats to human health. Pathogens in manure can also create a food safety concern if manure is applied directly to crops at inappropriate times. In addition, pathogens are responsible for some shellfish bed closures. Nitrogen in the form of nitrate can contaminate drinking water supplies drawn from ground water.

In response to many requests from local stakeholders to investigate the often inflammatory information printed in the media about CAFOs and their impact on the environment, the RRWC launched an extensive investigation. Attention was focused on water quality. Committee members attended CAFO tours, met with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality CAFO and local agricultural experts, clipped articles, viewed videos, and learned more about the regulatory and legislative process involving CAFOs.

As part of the annual fall meeting, the RRWC was proud to present a panel of experts that showcased many facets of the CAFO issue in a professional, fair, and balanced manner. Written questions from the audience were answered by the speakers to conclude the program. Attendees were very impressed with the panel, making the evening a great success. The panel discussion was professionally recorded. A DVD, entitled “A Fact Finding Panel on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations” is available for purchase here.

The RRWC would like to thank the speakers for their time and willingness to participate!

• Greg Merricle

Environmental Quality Analyst, MDEQ

• Lynn Henning

Sierra Club Water Sentinel

• Tom Van Wagner

Lenawee County District Conservationist

• Stewart Bruinsma

Owner, Bruinsma Dairy Farm

• Senator Liz Brater