Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)

The goal of the CAFO program is to reduce the discharge of pollutants to surface waters of the state from these types of facilities. A CAFO is an animal feeding operation that is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The NPDES program regulates discharges from point sources to surface waters, and under the Clean Water Act, CAFOs are considered point sources of pollution.

Who to contact by area: CAFO Staff Map

Permits

• General Permit - 2015
• General Permit - 2020

2020 General Permit Guidance Documents

• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Guidance 
• Michigan Phosphorus Risk Assessment (MPRA) Guidance
• MPRA Application Spreadsheet Example

General Information

• No Potential to Discharge Information/Application
• How to Apply for an NPDES Permit
• MiWaters Permitting System
• CAFO Rules
• NRCS Waste Storage Facility Practice Standard No. 313
• NRCS Waste Facility Closure Practice Standard No. 360

CAFO Guidance Documents

• Guidance for fulfilling compliance with Part 22
• Guidance #1: Depth Gauge, 2-2008
• Guidance #2: Manifesting, 3-2008
• Determining Precipitation Forecasts for CAFO Permits
• Monitoring Guidance for CAFO Operators (Link Coming Soon)

Manure and Soil Sampling Guidance

• Manure Sampling for Nutrient Analysis - North Central Regional Extension Publication #567
• Sampling Soils for Fertilizers and Lime Recommendations - MSU Extension Bulletin E498
• Sampling Soils for Fertilizers and Lime Recommendations, Addendum, - MSU Extension Bulletin E498S
• Nutrient Recommendations for Field Crops in Michigan - MSU Extension Bulletin E2904
• Guidelines for Manure Application Rates - University of Minnesota Extension
• Nutrient Application Guidelines for field, vegetable, and fruit crops in Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin Extension

Environmental Performance Equivalencies

• Synthetic Structure Evaluation
• Natural Clay Structure Evaluation
• Compacted Earth Structure Evaluation
• Concrete Lined Structure Evaluation
• Synthetic - Concrete Structure Evaluation
• Reinforced Concrete Structure Evaluation
• Steel Storage Structure Evaluation
• Solid - Dry Stack Structure Evaluation

Forms and Templates

• CNMP Guidance Template (2015)
• CNMP Appendices Template (2015)
• Daily Land Application Form
• Manifest for Large CAFO Waste
• CAFO Discharge Reporting Form
• Weekly CAFO Inspection Record

Helpful Links

• NRCS Practice Standards (Field Office Technical Guide – FOTG)
• EPA CAFO website
• MDARD
• EGLE Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Information Page

Complaints regarding discharges or other environmental problems should be directed to the appropriate district office for the county where the problem exists. District office contact information can be found here:  CAFO Staff Map. You may also call the 24 hour Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS) at: 800-292-4706 especially if the situation is an environmental emergency or the complaint needs to be made outside normal business hours.

This page can be accessed as Michigan.gov/CAFO.