Animal Waste Program Permits

Virginia DEQ

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Properly managed animal waste reduces or prevents impacts to soil and water resources.

DEQ’s animal waste program governs the management of animal waste generated, handled, or stored at farming operations which confine livestock or poultry. These farming operations are known as animal feeding operations (AFOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Both Individual Permits and General Permits are available to cover the activities at these operations (see Permit Types section below for further information).

Authority

The DEQ animal waste program is regulated under the following regulations:

Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32)
Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31)
VPA Regulation and the General Permit for Animal Feeding Operations and Animal Waste Management (VPA AFO GP) (9VAC25-192)
VPA Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management (VPA PWM GP) (9VAC25-630)

Individual permits (IPs), when used, are developed from the VPA Permit Regulation or the VPDES Permit Regulation. These permits are referred to as a VPA AFO IP or a VPDES Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation IP (VPDES CAFO IP).

An AFO is defined as a lot or facility where animals are stabled or confined for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and where crops or vegetative growth is not maintained in the normal growing season over the lot or facility.

A CAFO is defined by the animal types and number of animals that are being confined.

Each of the permit types that are used to cover AFOs and CAFOs require the development and implementation of a site-specific nutrient management plan (NMP). The NMP must be developed by a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia and approved by the DCR. The NMP is enforceable through the permit.

Permit Types

General Permits:

For Livestock - VPA Animal Feeding Operation General Permits:

The VPA Regulation and General Permit for AFOs and Animal Waste Management governs the management of animal waste at AFOs and animal waste utilized or stored by animal waste end-users.

Livestock AFOs and CAFOs that confine more than 300 animal units of livestock and handle liquid manure are required to obtain coverage under either the VPA AFO GP or under a VPA or a VPDES individual permit. These facilities may apply for coverage by submitting the registration statement for the VPA AFO GP. (See VPA AFO GP section below for the permit application forms and instructions).

For Poultry – VPA Poultry Waste Management General Permits:

The VPA Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management governs the management of poultry waste at confined poultry feeding operations and poultry waste utilized or stored by poultry waste end-users or poultry waste brokers.

Poultry AFOs and CAFOs that confine more than 20,000 chickens or 11,000 turkeys must register for coverage under the VPA PWM GP. (See VPA PWM GP section below for the permit application forms and instructions)

Individual Permits:

For Livestock and Poultry - VPA Animal Feeding Operation Individual Permit:

A VPA AFO IP is used to cover any AFO or CAFO when the general permits are not the best fit for coverage of the specific operation. In an individual permit, the conditions are tailored to the operation. Conditions from the VPA AFO GP, the VPA PWM GP or both general permits, depending on the operation that is being covered by the individual permit, are incorporated into the individual permit. (See VPA AFO IP section below for the permit application forms, instructions and permit application checklist)

For Livestock and Poultry - VPDES Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Individual Permit:

A VPDES CAFO IP is used to cover a CAFO when the CAFO owner requests a VPDES CAFO individual permit or when the CAFO is found to discharge from the production area of the farm site. Conditions from the VPA AFO GP, the VPA PWM GP or both general permits, depending on the operation that is being covered by the individual permit, are incorporated into the individual permit. (See VPDES CAFO IP section below for the permit application forms, instructions and permit application checklist)

VPA Animal Feeding Operation General Permit

VPA Poultry Waste Management General Permit

VPA Animal Feeding Operation Individual Permit

VPDES Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Individual Permit

Permit Application and Instructions

VPDES Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Individual Permit Application Checklist

EPA Application Form 1 - General Information - document contains instructions

EPA Application Form 2B - Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations - document contains instructions

Contact your regional office for the additional required forms (required to be submitted with the EPA forms listed above):

VPDES CAFO Individual Permit Application Addendum Form
VPDES CAFO Individual Permit Addendum Attachments

If you plan to sell or have recently purchased a permitted operation, you must notify the DEQ regional office of the ownership change. Please contact your regional office to obtain a copy of a Change of Ownership Agreement Form.