Sustainable Design > Project Case Study

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Waste Management

Re-use opportunities with agricultural waste.

Wright-Pierce was selected by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) to assist the state in implementing enhanced regulatory controls for farms throughout Connecticut in order to achieve compliance with the federal requirements regarding confined animal feed operations, (CAFOs), which are those facilities holding animals in large enough numbers to create a significant potential for contamination of the state’s waters from manure runoff and over land applications. In Connecticut, the farms in the this category are dairy and egg production operations. Over 200 dairy farms are scattered throughout the state. Collectively these farms contribute substantially to the economy, represent a relatively large base of productive land, and reflect an important diversity of land use that is characteristic of Connecticut. Therefore, the DEP considers it a priority that this important sector of the economy be maintained in an environmentally sustainable manner. The results of this project will be utilized by the CT DEP as the basis for a statewide CAFO general permit to control water pollution from excessive land application of manure.

The CT DEP general permit will create a regulatory framework that will ultimately lead to additional capital and operating costs for farm operation. Part of Wright-Pierce’s assignment was to help identify the costs to farmers, along with the financing opportunities available to help manage those costs. Costs were related to manure storage, drainage control, new equipment, and third party costs. Wright-Pierce also made short term and long term recommendations on education awareness of the general permit, permit implementation, and funding programs/opportunities.

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