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In the News |
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PA Sustainable Water
Infrastructure Task
Force's
final report is
now
available (Nov. 1,
2008) |
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Final Revised CAFO Rule Signed. EPA has finalized a
rule helping to protect the nation's water quality by
requiring concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to
safely manage manure. Rule, factsheet, and press release
available.
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Maryland Implements
Policy for Nutrient Cap Management and Trading.
The Maryland Department of
the Environment recently released details about the
state’s new Policy for Nutrient Cap Management and
Trading for point source nutrients. Unlike other
states, Maryland does not allow trading in lieu of major
wastewater treatment plant upgrades. “The policy
addresses the need to achieve early nutrient load
reductions from point sources through enhanced nutrient
removal upgrades” and allows for increased point source
loading due to future population growth.
The policy took effect on April 17, 2008. This is Phase I of
the policy. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is
currently developing Phase II of the policy, which will
address point to nonpoint trading/offsets.
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EPA Proposes to
Amend 2006 CAFO Rule.
The US EPA, on March 4, 2008, proposed to amend a 2006
proposed rule to allow CAFOs to certify that they do not
discharge pollutants and thus do not need Clean Water
Act Permits.EPA is also proposing three different
approaches for nutrient management plans that could be
used by permitting authorities and CAFOs to determine
appropriate application rates of manure, litter, and
wastewater.
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Penn
State Extension's publication, Access and
Allocation of Water in Pennsylvania, will help
Pennsylvanians to understand the system of water rights
in the Commonwealth. The publication includes an
introduction to the Water Resources Planning Act of 2002
(Act 220), which mandates a 2008 update of
Pennsylvania’s water plan that is expected to answer
questions such as how much water we have, how much we
use, and how much we need.
Press Release Introduces Access and Allocation
Access and Allocation of Water in Pennsylvania
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The Environmental
Protection Agency proposed a rule change December 28,
2007, exempting agricultural operations from reporting
emissions of hazardous substances (ammonia and hydrogen
sulfide) generated by livestock waste on at farms.
According to EPA,
the rule was developed to help authorities focus their
attention on hazardous substance releases that require
emergency response while reducing reporting burdens on
farms. The exemption would be from notification
requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and
the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
Notification of releases
of hazardous substances from sources on the farm other
than animal waste, such as ammonia tanks, as well as
releases of hazardous substances to soil and water,
would still be required.
Federal Register 40 CFR Parts 302 and 355 Proposed Rule
for Exempting Farms from Reporting Emissions
Comments on the proposed rule were due to
EPA on or before March 27, 2008. Docket ID No.
EPA-HQ-SFUND-2007-0469,
www.regulations.gov.
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