Rule 17.30.1330 - CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS(1) Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), as defined in 75-5-801, MCA, or designated in accordance with (5) through (7), are point sources subject to the MPDES requirements as provided in this rule. Once an animal feeding operation is defined as a CAFO for at least one type of animal, the MPDES requirements for CAFOs apply with respect to all animals in confinement at the operation and all manure, litter, and process wastewater generated by those animals or the production of those animals, regardless of the type of animal.(2) A CAFO must not discharge a pollutant to state surface waters unless the discharge is authorized under an MPDES permit. In order to obtain authorization under an MPDES permit, the CAFO owner or operator must either apply for an individual permit or submit a notice of intent for coverage under a general permit.(3) An application for an individual permit must include the information specified in ARM 17.30.1322(9). A notice of intent to be covered under a general permit must include the information specified in ARM 17.30.1322(9) and 40 CFR 122.28(b).(4) CAFOs that meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 412 must be authorized by the department under a general permit, unless the department discovers site-specific information that indicates a general permit is not sufficiently protective of water quality during its review under (8). If the department determines that a general permit is not sufficient to protect water quality, the department shall require an individual permit for the CAFO.(5) On a case-by-case basis, the department may designate any animal feeding operation as a concentrated animal feeding operation upon determining that it is a significant contributor of pollution to state waters. In making this designation the department shall consider the following factors: (a) the size of the animal feeding operation and the amount of wastes reaching state waters;(b) the location of the animal feeding operation relative to state waters;(c) the means of conveyance of animal wastes and process waste waters into state waters;(d) the slope, vegetation, rainfall, and other factors affecting the likelihood or frequency of discharge of animal wastes and process waste waters into state waters; and(e) other relevant factors.(6) No animal feeding operation with less than the numbers of animals set forth in 40 CFR Part 122.23 may be designated as a CAFO unless:(a) pollutants are discharged into state waters through a manmade ditch, flushing system, or other similar manmade device; or(b) pollutants are discharged directly into state waters which originate outside of the facility and pass over, across, or through the facility or otherwise come into direct contact with the animals confined in the operation.(7) A permit application is not required from a concentrated animal feeding operation designated under this rule until the department has conducted an on-site inspection of the operation and determined that the operation should and could be regulated under the permit program.(8) The department shall review notices of intent submitted by CAFO owners for coverage under a general permit according to the procedures in 40 CFR 122.23(h)(1).(9) The discharge of manure, litter, or process wastewater from a CAFO's land application area to state surface waters is subject to MPDES requirements, except where the discharge is an agricultural storm water discharge, as defined in 40 CFR 122.23(e).(10) The department adopts and incorporates by reference the following federal regulations, which may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Protection Bureau, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620:(a)40 CFR 122.23 (except 40 CFR 122.23(d), (f), (g), (i), and (j)) (July 1, 2012), which specifies permit application requirements, definitions, and procedures for issuing individual or general permits to CAFOs.(b)40 CFR 122.28(b)(2)(vii) (July 1, 2012), which sets forth informational requirements for notices of intent submitted by CAFOs.Mont. Admin. r. 17.30.1330
NEW, 1989 MAR p. 2060, Eff. 12/8/89; TRANS, from DHES, 1996 MAR p. 1499; AMD, 2006 MAR p. 532, Eff. 2/24/06; AMD, 2007 MAR p. 201, Eff. 2/9/07; AMD, 2013 MAR p. 529, Eff. 4/12/13; AMD, 2024 MAR p. 257, Eff. 2/10/2024AUTH: 75-5-201, 75-5-401, MCA; IMP: 75-5-401, MCA