Sen. Carper Hails EPA Approval of Delaware CAFO Regulations

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) hailed the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of Delaware’s Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations, bringing the regulations into compliance with federal Clean Water Act regulations and providing the framework for Delaware’s CAFO individual permits.

Delaware’s Nutrient Management Commission administers the state’s CAFO permit program. As Governor, Sen. Carper started Delaware’s Nutrient Management Commission as a result of the 1999 Delaware Nutrient Management Law. The mission of the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission is to manage those activities involving the generation and application of nutrients in order to help maintain and improve the quality of Delaware’s ground and surface waters and to help meet or exceed federally mandated water quality standards, in the interest of the overall public welfare. Since its development, Delaware’s nutrient management program, developed by the Nutrient Management Commission, has served as a model for other states, involving the participation of the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware poultry companies, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the University of Delaware.

“I’ve known for a long time that Delaware farmers are true environmental stewards and take nutrient management very seriously,” said Sen. Carper. “Today’s news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Delaware’s Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations shows, once again, that Delaware is a leader in nutrient management issues. The EPA’s recognition of Delaware’s CAFO regulations as federally-equivalent allows Delaware’s nutrient management program to continue to serve as a national model for other states. In the First State, we pride ourselves on working together to help protect the quality of our lands and water for future generations. Our leading nutrient management program, which I implemented as Governor, is a testament to our state’s unique ability to work together. A big part of what has made the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission and our nutrient management program distinct – and successful – is that it functions as a shared partnership between Delaware’s Department of Agriculture and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. I know Delaware’s agricultural community, particularly the Nutrient Management Commission and Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, as well as our environmental community have worked hard to bring Delaware to this final step in the federal approval process. I congratulate them for a job well done and look forward to working together as Delaware continues to lead the nation in nutrient management.”

For more information on Delaware’s Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, please visit http://dda.delaware.gov/nutrients/nm_CAFO.shtml.

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