CAFO Reporting Rule May Take Effect

Large livestock farms may have to start reporting high levels of two types of emissions as of Wednesday.

But the Environmental Protection Agency wanted a last-minute delay of a federal rule it’s been trying to modify for years.

The EPA wanted to exempt most farms, including concentrated animal feeding operations, from having to report emissions of certain air pollutants that are considered hazardous.

Environmental groups, led by Waterkeeper Alliance, objected. They said ample evidence showed mismanaged manure could lead to toxic releases of ammonia or hydrogen sulfide.

A federal appeals court agreed in April and said the rule would go into effect by November 15.

But the EPA this week requested more time to prepare affected farms. EPA spokesman Michael Abboud says the agency is responding to calls from farmers and developing a reporting form.

The appeals court has not yet ruled on the EPA’s request to delay the rule.