Enforce existing animal feeding operations regulations to reduce pollutants

• Published in: Water resources management Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 133 - 144
• Main Authors: CENTNER, Terence J, MULLEN, Jeffrey D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.04.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Clean Water Act-US; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Enforcement; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental law; Environmental protection; Exact sciences and technology; Factory farming; Government regulations; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Livestock industry; Nonpoint source pollution; Pollutants; Pollution control; Pollution sources; Pollution, environment geology; USA; Water pollution; Water quality; Water resources; United States; impact statements; models; national policy; pollution; nonpoint sources; North America; economic data; pollutants; nutrients; agriculture; water rights; point sources; water quality; regulations; water resource management
• ISSN: 0920-4741; 1573-1650
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1016169325880

Animal feeding operations are being targeted as sources of point and nonpoint pollutants. In response to the need to improve water quality, governments and agencies are enacting new regulations proscribing activities to reduce pollutants entering waters. Pursuant to the Clean Water Act, the United States federal government regulates concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) as point sources of pollution. In 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advanced more stringent regulations for CAFOs despite the fact that approximately 80% of the CAFOs have not secured permits as required by federal law. An analysis of enforcement mechanisms and opportunities for greater enforcement suggests that reductions in pollution could come from more effective enforcement. Rather than adopting more regulations for animal feeding operations, governments might direct their resources towards detecting and enforcing existing provisions.