Feb. 5, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 38

Contact: Robert Pritchett or Ellen Malenfant, DNREC, (302) 739-9405; Anne Fitzgerald, DDA, (302) 698-4520; or Melinda Carl, DNREC, (302) 739-9902.

DNREC Launches Compliance Assistance Web Site for New
Reporting Requirements for Large Poultry Operations
DNREC and DDA Developed Reporting Process  

Dover, Del. – In response to a new U.S. EPA reporting rule for air emissions from poultry manure at certain farm operations, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has created a web site for the new reporting requirements in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture. 

EPA published a final rule Dec. 18, 2008 that requires the reporting from farm operations defined as large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The EPA rule applies to large poultry growers (more than 125,000 broiler chickens) and other large animal operations. The rule became effective in January 2009.

The principal air emission of concern in Delaware for animal and poultry manure is ammonia. The rule requires facilities to report ammonia releases to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPA).  In Delaware, notifications to the SERC are provided to DNREC.

Animal waste is a normal and natural source of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide releases to the air. These chemicals are classified by EPA as hazardous substances that, when released into the air above certain quantities, trigger notification responsibilities under this new federal rule. The EPA is primarily concerned with operations that release 100 pounds or more of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide daily.

The web site created by DNREC’s Division of Air and Waste Management, Emergency Prevention and Response Branch in cooperation with DDA is now available to assist Delaware’s large animal and poultry operations with the notification reporting at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/EPR/Pages/PoultryGrowerReleases.aspx

EPA’s final rule applies to farms in Delaware with the following:

·         125,000 or more meat chickens

·         82,000 or more laying hens

·         1000 or more beef cattle

·         2500 or more head of swine

·         700 head of dairy cows

·         500 or more horses  

Delaware farm operators that meet the minimum number of animals for the reporting must make initial phone notification of an ammonia release to the SERC (through DNREC) at 1-800-662-8802 and to the LEPC at 1-866-274-0884. Farm operators must then submit a written continuous release report within 30 days after the initial phone notification and again after one year (stating that nothing has changed in 12 months).

The written reports must be sent to the SERC (through DNREC) and the LEPC. A reporting form developed specifically for poultry farms in Delaware may be found on the web site mentioned above along with a fact sheet produced by EPA for the reporting requirements. 

DNREC, DDA, the Delmarva Poultry Industry and Delaware based poultry companies have been working together to develop and streamline the reporting process.