EPA webinar regarding animal feeding operations air emission estimation methods

On Jan. 19, 2024, the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community hosted USEPA staff (Bebhinn Do, Bill Schrock and Ian Rumsey) for an in-depth discussion of the background, status, and next steps regarding the Animal Feeding Operations Air Emission Estimation Methods (EEMs).  USEPA staff noted that the draft EEMs will be released for public comment by the end of February 2024, and USEPA's plan is to review and incorporate comments over the spring with the hope to release the final EEMs in late summer 2024. View the webinar recording and links to supporting documents here.

EPA and Army Corps announce WOTUS listening sessions

At the beginning of this month, USEPA and the Army Corps of Engineers announced they will be holding virtual listening sessions to discuss the September 2023 confirming rule following the Sackett decision.  Separate listening sessions are set for tribes and states, environmental stakeholders, agricultural stakeholders, and industry stakeholders. Pre-registration is required, and slots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. Find additional information to sign up for a virtual listening session here.

EPA seeking comment on rodenticide biological evaluations

On Nov. 27, 2023, USEPA opened a comment period regarding its Draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Biological Evaluation (BE) for the Registration Review of 11 rodenticide products. The draft BE proposes rodenticide usage mitigation measures in areas where endangered species could be killed or the entire population could be placed in jeopardy. When finalized, this BE will serve as USEPA's roadmap for its rodenticide strategy on how to address mitigation for a full class of rodenticide products moving forward.  UEP will be filing an organizational comment.  Individual producers who would like to file their own comment with USEPA should contact Lauren Lurkins for a draft template. Public comments are due in the current docket by Feb. 13, 2024. Comments can be filed electronically here.

For additional information, see EPA Releases Draft Biological Evaluation of 11 Rodenticides’ Effects on Endangered Species

EPA seeking comment on EPCRA proposed rulemaking for reporting of animal waste air emissions from farms

On Nov. 17, 2023, USEPA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking information and comment "to assist in the potential development of regulations to reinstate the reporting of animal waste air emissions at farms" under the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Comments are due by Feb. 15, 2024. UEP will be filing an organizational comment.  Individual producers who would like to file a comment with USEPA should contact Lauren Lurkins for a draft template.  Comments can be filed electronically here.  For the ANPRM, click here.