ARS | Publication request: SYSTEM DESIGN FOR NMP AND NPDES PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER

Submitted to: American Society of Agri Engineers Special Meetings and Conferences Papers
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: June 28, 2006
Publication Date: July 9, 2006
Citation: Nienaber, J.A., Eigenberg, R.A., Woodbury, B.L. 2006. System design for NMP and NPDES permit application for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. American Society of Agri Engineers Special Meetings and Conferences Papers.Paper No. 064055.

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes the process of completion of permit application for our livestock feeding operation. The facilities include both traditional and experimental runoff control methods. This was the first use of alternative control technology on large livestock facilities to be approved in Nebraska. The paper discusses all parts of the permit application, including facilities design, nutrient use, and record keeping. The design was approved and the control system is under construction.

Technical Abstract: All concentrated animal feeding operations that have the potential to discharge are required to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The process also requires development of a nutrient management plan (NMP). Recent actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have indicated that alternative control technology (ACT) could be used if the ACT was shown to provide equivalent or superior environmental protection compared to traditional facilities designed to meet zero discharge from a 25-yr, 24-hr design storm. In addition to manure handling systems contained in the plan, a NMP is required to detail how both liquid and solids from animal feeding operations will be used, together with commercial fertilization on cropland. This paper will outline the procedure, design considerations, and the resulting NPDES permit application for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Nebraska.