EPA Grants Millions to Livestock Waste Management

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has awarded $8 million in grants to two organizations that will assist farmers in reducing waste from livestock operations. The organizations, RTI International and Environmental Resources Coalition, will work with farm operators to reduce water and air pollution that result from animal waste.

Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin H. Grumbles said in a statement, "Clean water and sound farming go hand-in-hand. EPA's cooperative conservation funds will help livestock operators assess and prevent potential air and water impacts, while maintaining our country's agricultural and economic competitiveness."

RTI International located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina will provide service to farms in the 27 Eastern states. RTI will work with North Carolina State University as well as representatives from the beef, dairy, poultry and hog industries to develop tools to assess problems and reduce air and water pollution at individual operations. In a statement from RTI, Vice President Terry Pierson said, "The environmental assessments and nutrient management plan evaluations will enable livestock operators to better understand how their sites affect the air and water quality. With these assessments, livestock operators will be able to make informed decisions about ways to reduce environmental emissions and runoff." RTI estimates that it will take anywhere from six months to a year to develop assessments for an operation.

Environmental Resources Coalition (ERC) in Jefferson City, Missouri will provide similar services for Western states. Both RTI and ERC have received government grants in the past. The grants will make it possible for the two groups to provide assistance to farmers for the next four years.

The EPA estimates that there are over 1.3 million livestock farms in the US, with nearly a quarter of a million of those considered Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), where animals are kept and fed in confined areas. AFOs can be dangerous to water sources as they contribute everything from nitrogen and phosphorus to heavy metals, hormones, and pathogens to waterways and underground water sources. The EPA estimates that AFOs are responsible for more than 500 million tons of animal waste a year.

The program is entirely voluntary for farmers and all assessments will be kept confidential. In addition to developing waste reduction and management plans, the assistance program will also help farmers determine safe amounts of manure that can be used and applied to crops in order to reduce water runoff pollution.

The grants are given out under the auspices of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) which is a joint effort by the EPA and the US Department of Agriculture. The NPDES is part of the Clean Water Action Plan started by President Clinton in 1998.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, RTI International