Draft CAFO Permit and Fact Sheet Released - PRO DAIRY
Camila Lage, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Draft CAFO Permit and Fact Sheet Released The Draft State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is now available for public comment through February 18, 2022.
- View the draft permit here: Draft SPDES ECL General Permit for CAFOs (GP-0-22-001) (PDF)
- View the fact sheet here: Draft SPDES ECL General Permit for CAFOs (GP-0-22-001) Fact Sheet (PDF)
Notice of Issuance - Renewal of Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is proposing a renewal of the ECL SPDES General Permit for CAFOs (GP-0-16-001) by publishing and requesting comments on the Draft ECL SPDES General Permit for CAFOs: GP-0-22-001. Construction of a point source that is designed, constructed, operated and maintained to not discharge manure or process wastewater is deemed eligible for coverage under ECL SPDES General Permit GP-0-22-001 and must obtain coverage prior to operation of the CAFO facility. Owners or operators of existing CAFOs eligible to be covered by GP-0-22-001 shall submit a Request for Continued Permit Coverage form and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Certification to NYS DEC at least 30 calendar days prior to July 24, 2022 (the effective date this permit). Notifications for new facilities must be made at least 30 calendar days prior to commencing operation of the new facility. Refer to the General Permit and Fact Sheet for application requirements for existing and new facilities. Clean Water Act (CWA) SPDES General Permit GP-0-16-002 NYS DEC is not renewing the CWA SPDES General Permit GP-0-19-001. That permit will expire July 23, 2022. Following the date of that permit expiration, CAFOs designed, constructed, operated and maintained to discharge manure or process wastewater must apply for permit coverage by submitting an industrial SPDES NY-2C application. SEQR Determination Pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, General Permit GP-0-22-001 renews GP-0-16-001 and is a Type II action. Public Comment Information The Draft General Permit and Fact Sheet can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6285.html. Written comments must be formally submitted, by email to cafoinfo@dec.ny.gov, or to the contact listed below by the close of business, February 18, 2022. If submitting comments by email, please include "Comments on the Draft ECL SPDES CAFO General Permit GP-0-22-001" in the subject line. Contact: Sara Latessa, NYS DEC - Division of Water, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-3505, Phone: (518) 402-8279.
Upcoming Events
NY Sheep Shearing School 2025
March 15, 2025
East Meredith, NY
This 2-day sheep shearing school is great for beginners and also for those who want to improve their current shearing skills. Doug Rathke, a seasoned shearer, knows what it takes to learn the art of shearing and he knows what it takes to teach it on a level so it can be understood and retained.
This class will give you the confidence to start shearing your own flock or take it to the next level and earn income by shearing for others.
Avian Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - the latest updates and what it means for poultry health
March 18, 2025
In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.
Join Dr. Jarra Jagne of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Chad Wall of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for an evening of learning about avian disease, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We'll cover:
- Updates on the HPAI outbreak
- Symptoms of HPAI
- Common small flock diseases
- HPAI disease look-alikes
- Keeping your birds safe
Shop Talk: Integrated Weed Management

March 19, 2025
Andover, NY
Mike Hunter, Field Crop IPM Coordinator, will share his knowledge on managing weeds. The discussion will cover various management practices in both conventional and organic settings, including herbicide-resistant weeds.
Announcements
Transition Heifer Calf Program
Join us for this hand-on program and demos! We will be offering this program in English and in Spanish.Calf and heifer managers, dairy herdspersons, farm owners, and heifer raisers interested in learning more about how to better house and manage animals as they transition from the calf phase to the weaned heifer phase.
Topics covered:
Nutrition
Health
Housing Management
Inventory Management
Biosecurity: All attendees must wear clean clothes and boots. You will be required to scrub and disinfect footwear upon arrival to the program and before leaving.
Registration: $25 per person (includes lunch)