Section NR 243.121 - General permit coverage(1) GENERAL PERMIT. (a) The department may issue a WPDES general permit to cover a category or group of CAFOs where the department has determined that the operations will not be covered by an individual permit issued pursuant to s. 283.37(2), Stats.(b) For purposes of this section, a category or group of CAFOs may be defined by size of operation, type of livestock or species, geographic or watershed area, method of managing manure or any other feature or attribute that the department determines is appropriate for defining a category of coverage.(2) GENERAL PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. An owner or operator seeking coverage under a general permit shall submit an application to the department in accordance with s. NR 243.12 and shall include information documenting that the operation qualifies for the general permit based on the eligibility criteria specified in the general permit.(3) GENERAL PERMIT ELIGIBILITY. The department shall specify criteria for determining eligibility for general permit coverage in the WPDES general permit.(4) INDIVIDUAL PERMIT COVERAGE. Under s. 283.35(3), Stats., the department may withdraw general permit coverage for a CAFO and issue an individual permit to the CAFO. The CAFO shall submit additional information requested by the department that is needed for issuance of an individual permit.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 243.121
CR 05-075: cr. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 7-1-07.The department may allow a permittee to participate in a cooperative compliance program to assist the CAFO with maintaining compliance with a general permit. A cooperative compliance program is an organization comprised of several CAFOs that have been granted permit coverage under a general permit. Cooperative compliance programs primarily assist facilities in maintaining compliance with general permits. Cooperative compliance programs retain environmental experts with substantial experience and knowledge in the management of manure and nutrients, design and maintenance of agricultural best management practices and environmental protection.