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2007 EQIP AFO/CAFO Information

The animal feeding operation (AFO)/concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) process is statewide. Therefore, no local issues were solicited. Applicants have access to all of the applicable state or national questions listed below. The questions in the "National Priorities" section are all equal in value with a maximum possible score of 125 (25 points each). The "State Issues" questions have a maximum possible value of 313.5.

National Priorities

Each of the national questions has an equal value. Applicants have access to any of the questions that are applicable.

  • NATIONAL 1: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in considerable reductions of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with TMDL's where available as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination or point source contamination from confined animal feeding operations?
  • NATIONAL 2: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in the conservation of a considerable amount of ground or surface water resources?
  • NATIONAL 3: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards?
  • NATIONAL 4: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land?
  • NATIONAL 5: Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable increase in the promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation?
State Issues

The state issue questions are based on state-level priorities established by NRCS working with the State Technical Advisory Committee as well as state questions. The AFO/CAFO priorities will be funded from the highest priority (HIGH) to the lowest priority (NONE). Applications that do not fall into any of the priority categories are ineligible for EQIP AFO/CAFO funding consideration. The priorities are:

  • HIGH - AFO/CAFO Priority 1: Regulatory authorities have determined that the operation IS out of compliance with state, federal, or tribal regulations, but the operation is not yet under court order to comply (once a court order is issued the applicant is no longer eligible for EQIP). The operation must have received a written notice from Montana DEQ or the Tribal environmental authorities to be eligible for this priority level.
  • HIGH - AFO/CAFO Priority 2: Regulatory authorities have determined that the operation MAY BE out of compliance with state, federal, or tribal regulations, but the operation is not yet under court order to comply (once a court order is issued the applicant is no longer eligible for EQIP). The operation must have received a written notice from Montana DEQ or the Tribal environmental authorities to be eligible for this priority level.
  • HIGH - AFO/CAFO Priority 3: Treatment of an AFO so that it does not become a CAFO; i.e., eliminates point source discharges and direct access of the livestock to state and tribal waters and ensures that the AFO does not become a significant contributor of pollution. Includes facilities for storage of wastes to minimize discharge from the operation when necessary. (Does not include operations that are expanding to greater than 300 animal units.)
  • MEDIUM - AFO/CAFO Priority 4: Treatment of a medium-sized CAFO (300-999 beef cattle or animal equivalents) that reduces or eliminates impacts to state or tribal waters. (Same examples and conditions as AFO/CAFO Priority 3 above.) (Does not include expanding operations.)
  • MEDIUM - AFO/CAFO Priority 5: Treatment of a large-sized CAFO (1,000 or more beef cattle or animal equivalent) that reduces or eliminates impacts to state or tribal waters. (Same examples and conditions as AFO/CAFO Priority 3 above.) (Does not include expanding operations.)
  • LOW - AFO/CAFO Priority 6: Treatment of an existing AFO/CAFO that is expanding in size and the current waste handling facilities are inadequate for the PRESENT number of animals.
  • LOW - AFO/CAFO Priority 7: Treatment of an existing AFO/CAFO that is expanding in size and the current waste handling facilities are inadequate for the PROPOSED INCREASE in the number of animals.
  • NONE - AFO/CAFO Priority 8: Installation of a NEW AFO/CAFO facility.

Additional AFO/CAFO ranking score questions are as follows:

  • AFO/CAFO 9: Does the proposed treatment include the installation of a vegetative buffer between the AFO/CAFO facility and state or tribal waters where the application of animal wastes will not occur in Filter Strips (393), Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390), and/or Field Border (386) practices? (Secondary treatment of animal wastes may occur in Wastewater Treatment Strips (635) if done in accordance with the practice standard.)
  • AFO/CAFO 10: Does the proposed facility treatment directly benefit a 303(d)-listed stream segment where the probable source and cause is related to animal feeding operations (Must be in the direct drainage of, or upstream of, the 303(d)-listed stream segment.)?
  • AFO/CAFO 11: Does the treatment include the installation of a vegetative buffer between where the manure and organic by-products will be applied and state or tribal waters where the application of animal wastes will not occur?
  • AFO/CAFO 12: Does the offered treatment include the proper disposal or application of wastes either by hauling to a composting facility or proper application to fields through Waste Utilization (633)?
  • AFO/CAFO 13: Does the treatment include land treatment practice(s) to prevent runoff on fields where manure and organic by-products are applied based on a Montana NRCS nutrient budget, such as Conservation Crop Rotation (328), Residue Management (329, 345, 346), or Stripcropping (585)?
  • AFO/CAFO 14: Does the applicant already have an NRCS-approved CNMP developed?

Contacts

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 07/28/2008

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