Washington Department of Ecology Issues Preliminary Draft CAFO Permit

Published Sep 08, 2015
Water Quality

On August 11, 2015, the Department of Ecology released a preliminary draft of an updated general permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), facilities that confine and feed large numbers of cattle, pigs, chickens, or other animals. The existing CAFO permit, which is supposed to be up for renewal every five years, expired in 2011. Facilities covered under the expired permit can continue to operate under its terms until the permit is reissued. Ecology’s proposed changes to the permit would significantly expand the number of CAFO facilities required to obtain permit coverage.

In an article published in the August/September issue of Western Water Law & Policy Reporter, TMW attorneys James Tupper and Sarah Mack discuss the water pollution concerns raised by CAFOs and recent litigation contributing to environmental organizations’ demands for a more stringent CAFO permit. For more information, contact James Tupper at tupper@tmw-law.com.

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