Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Program

July 2023 Flooding

On July 9, 2023 Governor Scott declared a State of Emergency due to heavy rainfall, significant localized flooding, washouts, and road closures across the State. If you need immediate support, please dial 2-1-1 or visit their website Vermont 2-1-1.

If your farm needs to report crop damages or has questions about reporting crop damages, please reach out to your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Office.

If you are experiencing waste management challenges due to the July 2023 rainfall and flooding and would like help problem solving next steps, please feel free to contact Clarice or Abbi.

Additional Resources:

• ANR Flood Recovery Resources
• Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets flood response and recovery page

Updates

• The revised Medium CAFO General Permit (Reissued on 1/17/2023)
• Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for coverage under the Medium CAFO General Permit

General Authority and Definitions

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. An AFO is a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where the following conditions are met:

• animals have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and
• crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the lot or facility.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations define a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) as any AFO that either meets a certain animal population threshold, or, regardless of population, is determined to be a significant contributor of pollutants to waters of the United States by the appropriate authority [40 C.F.R. § 122.23(b)(2)]. 

The NPDES permits regulate the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. CAFOs are point sources, as defined by the 40 C.F.R. § 122.2. 

• Regulatory Definitions of Large CAFOs, Medium CAFOs and Small CAFOs (PDF)

VTDEC regulates agricultural point source pollution through inspections, investigations, enforcement, and permitting.

Program Contact Information

Clarice Cutler – Program Manager 802-490-6181 Clarice.Cutler@vermont.gov
Abbi Pajak - Environmental Analyst 802-490-4741 Abbi.Pajak@vermont.gov