NR 243.12 NoteNote: Due to the extent of water resources in the state, it is the department’s position that if the manure or process wastewater from a CAFO is land applied to sites in Wisconsin, pollutants from the manure or process wastewater will reach waters of the state either via leaching to groundwater or surface runoff. Also, it is the department’s position that storage facilities constructed at or below grade will have some pollutant discharges to groundwater. Therefore, all large CAFOs must apply for a WPDES permit.
NR 243.12(2)(a)(a) For a person applying for a first time permit issuance, a complete final permit application shall consist of the following: NR 243.12(2)(a)1.1. The location of the existing or proposed site on maps including aerial photographs and soil survey maps. NR 243.12(2)(a)2.2. A scaled drawing of existing and proposed animal housing, feed storage structures and other raw materials storage areas. The production area shall be clearly delineated as well as ancillary service and storage areas. Existing features shall be clearly delineated from proposed features. NR 243.12(2)(a)3.3. A description and scaled drawing of existing and proposed manure storage or composting facilities, process wastewater storage or treatment facilities and other treatment systems. Plans and specifications for new manure storage or composting facilities and process wastewater facilities or proposed modifications to existing storage, composting or treatment facilities or systems shall be submitted. Upon approval by the department, plans and specifications for proposed storage, composting or treatment facilities may be submitted during the term of the permit if construction of the facilities will begin during the term of the permit. In addition, evaluations of existing storage, composting or treatment facilities or systems not previously reviewed and approved by the department shall be submitted. NR 243.12 NoteNote: Stormwater construction site permit procedures and requirements outlined in ch. NR 216 may apply to construction activities. NR 243.12(2)(a)4.4. A description and scaled drawing of existing and proposed runoff control systems, groundwater monitoring systems, water supply wells, permanent spray irrigation systems or other landspreading or treatment systems. Plans and specifications for new systems or proposed modifications to existing systems shall be submitted. Upon approval by the department, plans and specifications for proposed systems may be submitted during the term of the permit if construction of these facilities is planned to begin during the term of the permit. In addition, evaluations of existing systems not previously reviewed and approved by the department shall be submitted. NR 243.12 NoteNote: Department approval to submit plans and specifications for proposed systems and evaluations of existing systems during the term of the permit does not delay compliance with the requirements in s. NR 243.13. NR 243.12(2)(a)5.5. A description and scaled drawing of any existing and proposed ancillary service and storage areas and outside animal lots, including a map showing the area’s size and location, the number of animals to be using the area, projected number of days in use, and type and percent of vegetative cover to be maintained. NR 243.12(2)(a)6.6. A complete nutrient management plan that meets the requirements of s. NR 243.14. The plan shall be based on the volume of manure that will be generated by the operation from 1,000 animal units or the number of animal units that are expected to be at the operation by the end of the first year of permit coverage, whichever is greater. The permittee shall specify the expected number of animal units at the operation for the first year of the permit and during the permit term. The plan shall include all of the following information: NR 243.12(2)(a)6.a.a. A narrative overview of the operation’s nutrient management plan including a general description of anticipated amounts and types of manure and process wastewater produced on an annual basis, amount of manure and process wastewater to be land applied, anticipated frequency of land application for manure and process wastewater, methods of land application, and other methods of use, disposal, distribution or treatment. NR 243.12(2)(a)6.b.b. Additional information the department requests for the purpose of identifying possible water quality impacts associated with an operation’s land application activities. NR 243.12(2)(a)7.7. Any other information requested by the department that is necessary to comply with the requirements of ch. NR 150. NR 243.12 NoteNote: The department has developed an environmental analysis questionnaire identifying most of the information needed to comply with ch. NR 150 that is included as part of a large CAFO’s application package for first time issuances. NR 243.12(2)(b)(b) For operations submitting a reissuance application, a complete reissuance application shall consist of the following: NR 243.12(2)(b)1.1. Information on changes to the operation that have occurred during the current permit term and changes that are anticipated during the upcoming permit term, including changes that are necessary to comply with this chapter. NR 243.12(2)(b)2.2. The location of the existing site and proposed modifications to the site on maps such as aerial photographs and soil survey maps. NR 243.12(2)(b)3.3. Scaled drawing and descriptions of existing and proposed animal housing, manure storage, composting and treatment facilities, process wastewater storage or treatment facilities or systems, runoff control structures or systems, feed storage structures, groundwater monitoring systems, water supply wells, ancillary and service storage areas, loafing and outside lot areas and feed storage structures. Existing features shall be clearly delineated from proposed features. NR 243.12(2)(b)4.4. An updated nutrient management plan reflecting changes that have occurred at the operation since the previous permit issuance or reissuance and that incorporates the requirements in this chapter. NR 243.12(2)(b)5.5. A description of permanent spray irrigation systems and any other landspreading or treatment systems. NR 243.12(2)(b)6.6. Any other information requested by the department that is necessary to comply with the requirements of ch. NR 150. NR 243.12(3)(3) Application forms. Final permit and reissuance application information shall be submitted along with completed forms 3400-25 and 3400-25A. The department shall take action on a complete application pursuant to s. NR 200.10. NR 243.12 NoteNote: Applications and forms 3400-25 and 3400-25A can be obtained at regional offices of the department or the department’s Bureau of Watershed Management, 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707.
NR 243.12 HistoryHistory: CR 05-075: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 7-1-07. NR 243.121(1)(a)(a) The department may issue a WPDES general permit to cover a category or group of CAFOs where the department has determined that the operations will not be covered by an individual permit issued pursuant to s. 283.37 (2), Stats. NR 243.121(1)(b)(b) For purposes of this section, a category or group of CAFOs may be defined by size of operation, type of livestock or species, geographic or watershed area, method of managing manure or any other feature or attribute that the department determines is appropriate for defining a category of coverage. NR 243.121(2)(2) General permit application requirements. An owner or operator seeking coverage under a general permit shall submit an application to the department in accordance with s. NR 243.12 and shall include information documenting that the operation qualifies for the general permit based on the eligibility criteria specified in the general permit. NR 243.121(3)(3) General permit eligibility. The department shall specify criteria for determining eligibility for general permit coverage in the WPDES general permit. NR 243.121(4)(4) Individual permit coverage. Under s. 283.35 (3), Stats., the department may withdraw general permit coverage for a CAFO and issue an individual permit to the CAFO. The CAFO shall submit additional information requested by the department that is needed for issuance of an individual permit. NR 243.121 NoteNote: The department may allow a permittee to participate in a cooperative compliance program to assist the CAFO with maintaining compliance with a general permit. A cooperative compliance program is an organization comprised of several CAFOs that have been granted permit coverage under a general permit. Cooperative compliance programs primarily assist facilities in maintaining compliance with general permits. Cooperative compliance programs retain environmental experts with substantial experience and knowledge in the management of manure and nutrients, design and maintenance of agricultural best management practices and environmental protection.
NR 243.121 HistoryHistory: CR 05-075: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 7-1-07. NR 243.13NR 243.13 Standard WDPES permit requirements for large CAFOs. NR 243.13(1)(1) General. The department shall include conditions in permits that meet the requirements in subs. (2) to (8), if applicable to the primary livestock type housed at the CAFO. Pursuant to s. 283.31, Stats., the department shall include conditions in a WPDES permit for the production area and ancillary service and storage areas to ensure that clean water is diverted, as appropriate, from the production area and that are necessary to achieve compliance with surface water and groundwater quality standards contained in chs. NR 102 to 105, 140 and 207, and the livestock performance standards and prohibitions prescribed in ch. NR 151. NR 243.13 NoteNote: Large CAFOs are not eligible for cost sharing under chs. NR 153 and 154, nor is cost sharing necessary for compliance with the livestock performance standards and prohibitions. NR 243.13(2)(a)(a) The standard in this subsection applies to large CAFOs that confine mostly mature dairy cows, milking or dry, or cattle such as heifers, steer or bulls, or ducks. Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), a large CAFO may not discharge manure or process wastewater pollutants to navigable waters from the production area, unless all of the following apply: NR 243.13(2)(a)1.1. Precipitation causes an overflow of manure or process wastewater from a containment or storage structure. NR 243.13(2)(a)2.2. The containment or storage structure is properly designed, constructed and maintained to contain all manure and process wastewater from the operation, including the runoff and the direct precipitation from a 25-year, 24-hour applicable rainfall event. NR 243.13(2)(a)3.3. The production area is operated in accordance with the inspection, maintenance and record keeping requirements in s. NR 243.19. NR 243.13 NoteNote: Operations are not allowed to discharge pollutants to navigable waters under any circumstance or storm event from areas of the production area where manure or process wastewater is not properly stored or contained by a structure. Wastewater treatment strips, grassed waterways or buffers are examples of facilities or systems that by themselves do not constitute a structure.
NR 243.13(2)(b)1.1. The department may establish an alternative discharge limitation to the standard limitation established in par. (a) if an applicant or permittee requests an alternative limitation. When requesting an alternative site specific limitation, the applicant or permittee shall submit all of the following additional information as part of the application for WPDES permit issuance or reissuance: NR 243.13(2)(b)1.a.a. A technical analysis, calculations and other relevant information that demonstrates that the discharge of pollutants, on a mass basis, associated with the alternative limitation will be equal to or less than the mass loading of pollutants associated with achieving the standard limitations in par. (a). NR 243.13(2)(b)1.b.b. A calculation of daily inputs to the storage systems and all daily outputs from the storage systems, including losses due to evaporation, sludge removal, and off-site transport of manure and wastewater. NR 243.13(2)(b)1.c.c. A calculation determining the median annual overflow volume based on a 25-year period of actual rainfall data applicable to the site. NR 243.13(2)(b)1.d.d. Representative samples and analysis of all sources of input into the storage systems for nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD5 and total suspended solids, or other applicable pollutant data. NR 243.13(2)(b)1.e.e. Predicted annual average discharge of pollutants, expressed, where appropriate, as a mass discharge on a daily basis in pounds per day, and calculated considering the information in this subd. 1. b. to d. NR 243.13(2)(b)2.2. The department may approve an alternative limitation if the alternative limitation is based on site specific alternative technologies that will achieve a quantity of pollutants discharged from the production area that is equal to or less than the quantity of pollutants that would be discharged if the production area was designed, constructed, operated and maintained in compliance with the standard limitation in par. (a). If approved, the alternative limit shall be included in the proposed WPDES permit. NR 243.13(2)(c)(c) A large CAFO that primarily confines ducks, was in existence as of 1974 and has not completely replaced all of its production or processing equipment after 1974, may have a discharge of pollutants from the production area to navigable waters that meets the limits in 40 CFR 412.22 provided the discharge will not exceed water quality standards. 40 CFR 412.22 is incorporated by reference in s. NR 243.07. The department shall impose best management practices or effluent limitations on the discharge to address other pollutants associated with manure or process wastewater or to meet surface water or groundwater quality standards. If the permittee chooses this option, the permittee shall monitor pollutants in all runoff from the production area to demonstrate compliance with effluent limitations. NR 243.13 NoteNote: Copies of 40 CFR 412.22 and the other federal regulations referenced in 40 CFR 412.22 are available for inspection at the office of the department, Madison, Wisconsin and U.S. EPA offices. NR 243.13(3)(3) Swine, poultry other than ducks and veal calves. NR 243.13(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), a large CAFO that is an existing source CAFO that confines mostly swine, poultry other than ducks or veal calves shall comply with the requirements in sub. (2). NR 243.13 NoteNote: All existing source dairy, cattle, swine, poultry other than ducks, and veal operations, are subject to the same discharge limitations related to the 25-year, 24-hour storm event as well as the same allowances for alternative discharge limitations. New source swine, poultry other than ducks, and veal calves have more restrictive discharge limitations and additional criteria for receiving alternative discharge limitations.
NR 243.13(3)(b)(b) A large CAFO that is a new source CAFO and that confines mostly swine, poultry other than ducks or veal calves may not discharge manure or process wastewater pollutants into navigable waters from the production area except as provided in par. (c). Storage and containment facilities and structures shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained to contain all manure and process wastewater, including runoff and the direct precipitation from a 100-year, 24-hour rainfall event, and the production area shall be operated in accordance with the inspection, maintenance and recordkeeping requirements in s. NR 243.19. NR 243.13(3)(c)1.1. For swine, poultry other than ducks or veal calf operations that are new source CAFOs, the department may establish an alternative discharge limitation to the applicable standard limitation established in par. (b) if an owner or operator of the large CAFO requests an alternative limitation. When requesting an alternative limitation under this paragraph, the applicant shall submit all of the following additional information as part of the application for WPDES permit issuance: NR 243.13(3)(c)1.a.a. Calculations that demonstrate that the quantity of pollutants discharged from the production area will be offset by additional best management practices that achieve an equivalent or greater reduction in the quantity of pollutants released to other media, including water and air, from the production area or land application areas. The calculations shall be made on a mass basis, where appropriate. NR 243.13(3)(c)1.b.b. Any other specific information requested by the department that is needed by the department to make a determination pursuant to this paragraph. NR 243.13(3)(c)2.2. If approved by the department, the alternative limitation shall be established in the WPDES permit and shall be based on site specific innovative technologies that will achieve an overall environmental performance across all media that is equal to, or superior to, the reductions achieved by the standard as provided in par. (b). NR 243.13(4)(a)(a) This subsection applies to large CAFOs that confine mostly horses or sheep. All large CAFOs that confine mostly horses or sheep may not discharge process wastewater pollutants into navigable waters from the production area except if both of the following are met: NR 243.13(4)(a)1.1. A rainfall event causes an overflow of process wastewater from a facility or structure designed, constructed, operated and maintained to contain all process wastewater generated including the runoff from a 25-year, 24-hour rainfall event. NR 243.13(4)(b)(b) In a WPDES permit, the department may impose additional requirements or best management practices, or other restrictions for production area discharges of manure or process wastewater to meet surface water quality or groundwater standards. NR 243.13(5)(a)(a) If a discharge of manure or process wastewater pollutants to waters of the state occurs, including a discharge allowed under subs. (2) to (4), the discharge shall comply with groundwater and surface water quality standards. NR 243.13(5)(b)(b) The permittee may not allow livestock to come into direct contact with navigable waters in the production area. NR 243.13(6)(a)(a) General. Within 30 days of permit issuance or reissuance, a permittee shall develop an emergency response plan, or update an existing plan if necessary, that is designed to address unauthorized spills or discharges. For purposes of this subsection, unauthorized spills or discharges include catastrophic spills resulting from failures of containment or storage structures or equipment malfunctions, leakage from pumping systems and other events creating potential environmental damage. The emergency response plan shall be maintained at the production area in a place accessible to all employees. The permittee shall notify all employees involved with manure handling of the location and contents of the emergency response plan. Relevant portions of the plan shall be retained with land application equipment and with contracted land applicators. The plan shall be implemented whenever an unauthorized spill or discharge occurs. The plan shall be made available to the department upon request. NR 243.13 NoteNote: Pursuant to s. 292.11, Stats., owners or operators of CAFOs are required to report spills of hazardous substances. Under s. 292.11, Stats., manure can be considered a hazardous substance. NR 243.13(6)(b)(b) Plan content. The emergency response plan shall include all of the following information: NR 243.13(6)(b)1.1. The names and telephone numbers of persons who are identified by the permittee as responsible for implementing the emergency response plan. NR 243.13(6)(b)2.2. Areas of the production area where potential unauthorized spills or discharges can occur, and their accompanying surface and subsurface drainage points. NR 243.13(6)(b)3.3. Procedures to be followed in the event of an unauthorized spill or discharge, including the following: NR 243.13(6)(b)3.c.c. Identification of contractors, equipment, equipment technical support, clean-up materials and alternative manure storage that can be used in the event of an unauthorized discharge. NR 243.13(6)(b)3.d.d. Identification of land application sites or alternative storage facilities that can be used in the event of an unauthorized discharge during precipitation events or when soils are saturated, frozen or snow covered. Those land application sites identified shall have the lowest potential to deliver pollutants to waters of the state out of all the land application sites available to the permittee. NR 243.13(6)(b)3.e.e. Procedures for reporting the unauthorized discharge to the permittee’s main operational contact, any applicable local emergency or health authorities, and the department in accordance with permit requirements and s. 292.11, Stats. NR 243.13(6)(c)(c) Amendments. The emergency response plan shall be reviewed and, if appropriate or necessary, amended whenever the operation undergoes significant expansions or other changes that affect the volume or location of potential unauthorized spills or discharges. The plan shall be amended as needed to reflect changes in available equipment, available clean-up contractors or procedures to address unauthorized spills or discharges, or amended in accordance with comments provided by the department. Dates of plan amendments shall be retained with the plan at the production area. NR 243.13(7)(7) Ancillary service and storage areas. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the WPDES permit, a permittee may discharge contaminated storm water to waters of the state from ancillary service and storage areas provided the discharges of contaminated stormwater comply with groundwater and surface water quality standards. These areas include CAFO outdoor vegetated areas, access roads, sites used for the handling or storage of material or refuse other than manure, bedding, feed or process wastewater, areas for storage or maintenance of material handling equipment, areas for shipping and receiving, and other sources of contamination that are not identified as part of the production area. These areas do not include land application areas. The permittee shall take preventive maintenance actions and conduct periodic visual inspections to minimize the discharge of pollutants from these areas to surface waters. For CAFO outdoor vegetated areas, the permittee shall also implement the following practices: NR 243.13(7)(a)(a) Manage stocking densities, implement management systems and manage feed sources to ensure that sufficient vegetative cover is maintained over the entire area at all times. NR 243.13(7)(b)(b) Prohibit direct access of livestock or poultry to surface waters or wetlands located in or adjacent to the area unless approved by the department. NR 243.13(7)(c)(c) Comply with other measures specified in the permit to prevent exceedances of groundwater and surface water quality standards. NR 243.13 NoteNote: Examples of ancillary service and storage areas include access roads into the production area, pesticide storage, motor oil and fuel drums, equipment repair areas, and junk or scrap piles. These areas do not include land application areas or areas that are part of the production area. Contaminated stormwater discharges from construction site areas are subject to the WPDES permit requirements under ch. NR 216.
