Concentrated Animal Feeding Facility Advisory Committee
March 11, 2004
Ohio Department of Agriculture
ODA's Bromfield Building
In attendance from the Ohio Department of Agriculture were: Jenny Tiell, Kelly Harvey, Andy Ety, Gary Zwolinski, Jack Shailer, Bill Hopper, Deborah Abbott, Diane Conley and Peggy Jackson.
• Doug Alderman, Ohio Water Environment Association
• Cathy Alexander, Ohio EPA
• Carl Ayers, dairy producers
• Tim Barnes, sheep producers
• Dan Binder, Ohio Environmental Council
• Gerald Boynton, public member
• Kim Coy, Drinking Water Utilities
• Chuck Divelbiss, public member
• Maurice Eastridge, Ohio State University
• Kevin Elder, ODA
• Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
• Martin Joyce, ODNR
• George Slater, public member
• Carl Link, pork producers
• Tom Price, public member
• Christina Ritchey Wilson, Ohio Environmental Health Association
• Don Clark, Ohio Department of Development
• Terry Haworth, county commissioner
• Ben Stinner, Ohio Alliance for the Environment
• Tim Weaver, poultry producers
Chairman Doug Alderman called the meeting to order and reviewed the agenda. There was a change in the order of items on the agenda, and an item from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was added.
No changes to the minutes. A motion was passed to approve the minutes as drafted.
ODA staff distributed a list of permitted facilities. It was explained that when Ohio EPA turned over the files, there were approximately 140 facilities. The Livestock Environmental Permitting Program staff broke out the files differently with each separate livestock facility having a separate permit.
Also distributed was a handout listing all the facilities that are under 1000 animal units.
Deb Abbott passed out a list of all the final permitted facilities that the Livestock Environmental Permitting Program has issued to date.
Staff explained that these are working documents and are constantly being updated.
Ohio Fresh Eggs Presentation
Ron Flory of Ohio Fresh Eggs, the company that has taken over the former Buckeye Egg Farm, explained his views of the permitting process. He thanked the Livestock Environmental Permitting Program staff for their help and leading Ohio Fresh Eggs through the process. There has been a lot of publicity, legal matters, etc. He said ODA is to be commended for doing a job in a timely manner.
Ohio Fresh Eggs has severed the ties with Buckeye Egg Farm. Don Hershey is overseeing the facility and making a lot of positive changes. The Croton facility was purchased in December. They are remodeling all the chicken houses within the next 5 years. Chickens will arrive the first part of June, and they will open new buildings every few months after that.
They are putting emphasis on changing the image of the operation. They have been attending a lot of public meetings and are getting involved in the community.
There is a lot of public scrutiny because of the reputation of Buckeye Egg, and Ohio Fresh Eggs knew this going in. They have hired a lot of good people with experience, and they feel they can turn it around. They want to run a clean and efficient operation.
Rules
The rules did not get filed because of formatting and proofing issues. They were withdrawn from JCARR. There are more changes after talking with USEPA, plus a new rule was added.
The rules that were changed based on comments from USEPA and some other changes, including changes by Livestock Environmental Protection Program:
901:10-1-05 Trade secret
901:10-1-06 Certified Livestock Manager
• Permit to Install, Siting Criteria – will be brought back to the committee after Ohio EPA generates a map of ground water systems.
901:10-2-05 Fabricated Structures
901:10-2-09 Contents of Manure Management Plan – Nutrient Budget
901:10-2-10 Contents of Manure Management Plan – Manure Characteristics
901:10-2-14 Contents of Manure Management Plan – Land Application Methods
901:10-2-18 Closure Plan Requirements
901:10-3-01 Contents of an NPDES Permit Application
901:10-3-07 Designated Operations
901:10-4-01 General Permit to Operate Requirements
901:10-4-05 General Operating Permit
901:10-5:04 Civil Penalties
Will hold siting criteria for next meeting. All other rules are proposed to adopt with changes as written. Motion passed.
Ohio EPA
Cathy Alexander distributed two handouts to the CAFF committee.
The proposed general permit will go back for public notice. Ohio EPA would like feedback from the committee. Discussions will be on-going.
Changes will be made though out the permit process. The committee is welcome to read more closely and contact Cathy with any changes. They aren't planning to have a public hearing. The CAFF committee will be getting a new copy once it's done.
New Committee Appointments
There are several committee members who's term will expire on March 13. They are:
• Doug Alderman
• Tony Forshey
• Kim Coy
• Terry Haworth
• Gerald Boynton
A new chairman should be elected at this meeting, but the committee deferred that decision until the next meeting since new members will be appointed by that time. Chairman Alderman will no longer be able to serve nor will his alternate.
Chuck Divelbiss suggested the committee thank Doug for all his hard work, which the committee concurred.
Future Meetings
• June 17
• September 9
• December 9 (has to be rescheduled)
Meeting adjourned .