Guidelines for Livestock Producers

Jurisdiction

Ohio EPA is responsible for permitting any livestock operation with more than 1,000 animal units and/or any operation, regardless of size, with a direct discharge to waters of the state. Since 1979, ODNR has been authorized to address agricultural pollution problems related to agricultural sediment and animal waste from operations with fewer than 1,000 animal units. In addition, educational and technical support is provided by The Ohio State University Extension (OSUE), the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs).

While the majority of the operations in Ohio do not require permits, there are several areas of State law that can have an impact on livestock facilities in Ohio:

• ODNR Division of Soil and Water Conservation's Agricultural Pollution Abatement Authority (ORC 1515 & 1511) and (OAC 1501 :15-5-01 through 18). These laws provide for the investigation of any pollution to waters of the state upon the receipt of a written complaint.

• Ohio's Stream Litter Act (ORC 1531.29) specifies that any person placing wastes into Ohio's waters may be guilty of a violation. Individuals with a first offense may be fined up to $500, or 60 days in jail, or both. Corporations may be fined up to $3,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses. Arrests made under this section are heard in criminal court and fines may be levied by the judge. No kills of fish or wildlife need be involved in a case of stream litter.

Complaints

• Citizens are encouraged to report incidents to Ohio EPA, ODNR or local SWCD offices.

• Ohio EPA district office personnel investigate citizen complaints pertaining to a controlled direct discharge from a milk parlor, milk house, silo, animal waste lagoon, or feedlot.

• Verified complaints are resolved by Ohio EPA in consultation with the SWCD and the operator of the facility. Appropriate steps are taken to eliminate the discharge (for example, changing management practices and/or installing pollution control measures).

• If the discharge continues, the operator would need to install adequate wastewater treatment facilities.

• Complaints about the operations of any facility under Ohio EPA's permit authority are investigated by Ohio EPA.

Proposed livestock waste management facilities involving 1,000 animal units or more

• A joint site inspection by Ohio EPA and the SWCD is conducted to determine suitability of a site for proposed operations of this size. The site inspection is initiated when the owner or operator submits a Site Inspection Request to the appropriate Ohio EPA district office. It is beneficial to contact the Ohio EPA district office before finalizing any plans.