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Region 6 CAFO Program

cows, sheep, horses, chicken

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Manure and wastewater from CAFOs have the potential to contribute pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus, organic matter, sediment, pathogens, heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics, and ammonia to the environment. Animal waste can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures, due to accidents or excessive rain, and non-agricultural application of manure to crop land.

The NPDES program regulates the discharge of pollutants from CAFOs to waters of the United States. EPA Region 6 directly implements the CAFO program in Oklahoma and New Mexico. The states of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas have been authorized by EPA to implement the CAFO program in their respective states. EPA acts in an oversight and technical assistance role for these state programs.

For Compliance with animal feeding operations in Region 6, please visit the Water Enforcement CAFO webpage.

NPDES General Permit for Discharges from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in New Mexico (NMG010000), Effective September 3, 2009.

Please note that minor modifications were made to the permit on November 9, 2009, in accordance with regulations listed at 40 CFR 122.63(a). The revisions reflect administrative changes to correct typographical errors made in references to Part III.A.7.f in Parts III.A.6.a and V.2.l.ii. The reference to Part II.A.4.d in Part II.A.4.f has also been corrected to refer to Part II.A.4.f. The updated permit may be accessed below.

Proposed NPDES General Permit for Discharges from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Oklahoma (OKG010000)

The proposed CAFO general permit, fact sheet, and federal register notice can be found on the General Permits page.

No Discharge Certification Option Form for CAFOS in New Mexico and Oklahoma:

If a CAFO located in Oklahoma or New Mexico does not discharge or propose to discharge it may operate without a permit and decide either (1) to certify that it does not discharge or propose to discharge under the provisions at 40 CFR 122.23(i); or (2) to operate without a permit and without certifying. 

Certified CAFOs are not allowed to discharge under any conditions (other than discharges of agricultural stormwater), and are liable for any unpermitted discharges pursuant to CWA 301(a).  However, in the event of a discharge, a properly certified CAFO will not be liable for prior failure to seek permit coverage.  Further information on the effect of certification may be found at 40 CFR 122.23(j).

The owner or operator of a CAFO may voluntarily certify that the CAFO does not discharge or propose to discharge by signing and submitting a certification statement to EPA Region 6.  A certification that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 122.23 (i)(2) and (i)(3) shall become effective on the date it is submitted.  Certification will remain in effect for five years until the certification is no longer valid or is withdrawn, whichever occurs first.

For more information on voluntary no discharge certification, please visit the 2008 Final CAFO Rule webpage

For additional information, please contact:

Scott Stine
Regional CAFO Coordinator
U.S. EPA, Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75202-2733
Phone: (214) 665-7182
FAX: (214) 665-2191

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