From Kirsten Workman, PRO-DAIRY

NYSDEC now requires commercial manure applicators that apply manure on CAFO farms to register with the department and complete annual reporting.  PRO-DAIRY put out a fact sheet this summer outlining the new requirements here.  While applicators need to register by January 18, 2024 to be in compliance, it is my recommendation that they wait until after January 1, 2024 to do so.  This will delay the need for annual reporting until the conclusion of 2024, when NYSDEC will have annual reporting forms ready and will allow more time to put the protocols and record-keeping systems in place to ensure compliance.  Here are a few things that applicators can do to be ready in the meantime: 

• Start working with farm clients now to ensure good communication about their CNMP, signing contractor certification forms, and getting maps for all fields.
• Set up record-keeping systems that allow accurate accounting of manure applications to share with farm clients within the required 21-day time period (date, gallons & rate, fields applied) and aggregated data to report back to NYSDEC (total gallons spread/farm).
• Properly calibrate all spreading equipment and keep a record of these calibration activities.
• Get the registration forms assembled and completed accurately so they are ready to submit between January 1 and January 18, 2024. I have attached forms with example information filled out to assist in the accurate completion of those forms.  Feel free to use them as a guide and/or reach out to me directly for assistance.

To learn more about this registration requirement, what it entails and the type of record-keeping that will be required, you can visit the following guidance documents:

• PRO-DAIRY Fact Sheet PD-23-07-02: https://cals.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2023-07/part-361-manure-applicator-registration-_-2023.pdf
• NYSDEC Fact Sheet: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/thirdpartymanureappliers.pdf

You can access the registration forms here*:

• REGISTRATION FORM FOR A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/360regform.pdf
• ORGANICS RECYCLING ADDENDUM: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/orgformadden.pdf