Animal Feed Operations
and Confined Animal Feed Operations

In 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted new rules regarding animal feeding operations (AFO) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO).  The new rules define an AFO as an operation that houses or feeds animals in a confined area for more than 45 days in any 12-month period.  Under certain circumstances, an AFO can be designated a CAFO.  When an AFO is designated a CAFO, the operator may be required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Risk factors that determine a CAFO designation include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Direct access to surface water.

• Discharge of manure through a ditch or pipe from a confinement area.

• High concentration of manure in high rainfall areas.

• Absence of vegetation between a confinement area and surface water.

King Conservation District farm planning staff have been trained to help you determine if your operation is an AFO that can also be designated a CAFO.  Additionally, District staff is available to develop a farm management plan for your property to address the risk factors that can lead to a CAFO designation.

Washington State University Extension has created several tools for determining whether farms are at risk of being designated a CAFO. Click here for a copy of their AFO/CAFO brochure.  Click here for a copy of their self-assessment tool.  Or visit their web site at www.puyallup.wsu.edu for more information.

For more information, Contact Ann Marie Magnochi at
(425) 277-5581 ext. 116 or email Ann Marie Magnochi