Restrictions require measures to protect communities and the environment

Contact:  Peter Goodman 502-564-3410

FRANKFORT, Ky.  (July 7, 2006) – The Kentucky Division of Water has issued construction permits and Kentucky No Discharge Operational Permits (KNDOPs) for nine swine-feeding operations in Fulton, Hickman and Carlisle counties.

The Division of Water (DOW) is placing comprehensive restrictions in the permits that require the facilities to operate in a manner that is protective of the environment and reflect comments received during the public participation process.

The KNDOP permits prohibit any direct discharge of waste into waters of the commonwealth and limit the number of animals to the design capacity approved in the construction permit. The permits require minimum setback distances from barns and land-application areas to environmentally sensitive areas such as wells and streams and cultural features such as schools and homes.

As an additional protection, the permits require facilities meet the state odor standard at the property boundary. Each permit incorporates a site-specific comprehensive nutrient management plan that the facility is required to follow in managing the animal waste generated at the facility in an agronomic and environmentally protective manner.

Although public notice and comment is not required prior to the issuance of KNDOP permits, DOW conducted two rounds of public notice and comment and conducted a public hearing on the applications for the swine-feeding operations. Information arising from the public participation process was utilized extensively in the development of the permit limitations.