Agriculture

If you cannot open pdf files, go here. (off site)

Agriculture as a designated use

CAFOs (large concentrated animal feeding operations)

Large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)-- Final Report of the Land and Water Resources Council to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. January, 1999. (pdf file) This on-line copy of the report does not include the appendices.
CAFO (large concentrated animal feeding operation) licensing. CAFO application is available on the Waste Discharge Page (municipal/industrial). Click on "forms". Contact: Gregg Wood 287-7693.

Chapter 419, Agronomic Utilization of Residuals. DEP Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management

Chapter 419 (off-site). Contact: Paula Clark (287-7718)
Program - Residuals, Sludge and Composting (Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management)

Manure handling complaints

Contact at Agriculture: Jonathan Chalmers (287-7708).
Contact at DEP: Phil Garwood (287-7695).
Text of statute, "Action against improper manure handling" (link to website of the Revisor of Statutes).
Process. When a member of the public initially calls DEP concerning an improper manure handling issue, the complaint is forwarded to Jonathan Chalmers at Agriculture. If the problem is not resolved through Agriculture and water quality may be affected, the complaint may be referred back to DEP for further action. Complaints concerning siltation problems related to agricultural land are usually handled in the same way.

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agriculture (off-site).

This is a "technical guidance and reference document for use by State, local, and tribal managers in the implementation of nonpoint source pollution management programs. It contains information on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing pollution of surface and ground water from agriculture." (EPA website). National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agriculture.

Nutrient management loans

Nutrient Management Loans are now available through FAME. These loans have an effective interest rate of 4% the first year and 3% each year thereafter for up to 20 years. The loans may be used for building storage and handling facilities for manure and milk room wastes, including equipment that is used solely for this purpose. More information may be obtained by contacting the Department of Agriculture Nutrient Management Coordinator at 287-1132, or Scott Bursey at FAME at 623-3263 email: info@famemaine.com).

Waste discharge special topics