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Compliance and Enforcement Annual Results:
Important Environmental Problems / National Priorities
FY2006 Annual Results Topics
Priority: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Problem: Concentrated animal feeding operations are a National Priority for the Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement and compliance assurance program due to the impact of large animal feedlots on water quality. During wet weather events, water flows from animal feedlots transporting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as other pollutants including bacteria, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and trace elements including metals to local waterways. Impacts on ecosystems and human health include contamination of public drinking water sources and private well water, recreational and commercial fish kills and advisories, and beach closings.
Key Results:
In response to numerous citizen complaints, EPA took enforcement against Alan Ritchey Dairy in Oklahoma for violations of the Clean Water Act that will result in preventing over 3 million pounds of nutrients per year from entering the Red River. This large concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit by over-applying manure and wastewater, improperly disposing of animal carcasses, improperly storing manure and bedding materials, and having unauthorized discharges to waters of the U.S. EPA required the implementation of corrective measures at a total cost of more than $500,000, including the installation of appropriate containment (i.e.,lagoons and concrete pad), ground water monitoring and recovery wells, and proper carcass disposal. In addition, Alan Ritchie Dairy will pay $200,000 in civil penalties and will implement a supplemental environmental project to plant buffer strips valued at $100,000.
Annual Results by Fiscal Year:
FY2008 | FY2007 | FY2006 | FY2005 | FY2004 | FY2003 | FY2002 | FY2001 | FY2000 | FY1999