Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
New livestock feeding permit months away
YAKIMA -- A Washington state permit governing large livestock operations expired last summer, and state officials say a revised permit likely won't be released for public review until early 2013.
The permit governs confined animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. It's required under the federal Clean Water Act of any operation that discharges or plans to discharge pollutants to Washington state waters.
Some environmental groups hope the new permit will require additional environmental monitoring, while agriculture industry leaders say the current permit provides enough protection of the environment and public health.
Washington state's permit was last updated in 2006. Jon Jennings of the state Department of Ecology's Water Quality Program says the latest revision is in the beginning stages and how the permit might change is still up for review.
The permit governs confined animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs. It's required under the federal Clean Water Act of any operation that discharges or plans to discharge pollutants to Washington state waters.
Some environmental groups hope the new permit will require additional environmental monitoring, while agriculture industry leaders say the current permit provides enough protection of the environment and public health.
Washington state's permit was last updated in 2006. Jon Jennings of the state Department of Ecology's Water Quality Program says the latest revision is in the beginning stages and how the permit might change is still up for review.
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