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
Chainsaw Safety & Forestry BMP's
June 13, 2025
Belmont, NY
Perfect for beginners or experienced users needing a refresher. We'll cover safety features and basic maintenance of the modern saw and learn kickback prevention techniques. Participants will be able to try on various PPE and learn ergonomic practices. Interested participants will learn to safely start up, throttle up, and turn off a saw. You may bring our own saw if you choose, there will be no cutting in this class.
FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
June 14, 2025 : FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension for a morning of classroom learning, hands-on FAMACHA and 5 Point Check practice, and a pasture walk at Alfred State College's teaching farm to learn about putting IPM to work on pasture using evasive grazing techniques. An exam will be provided, and students passing the exam will receive program certification, including a FAMACHA Card.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
June 17, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
This mobile workshop will teach you what you need to know to perform fecal egg counts and understand the results of fecal egg count reduction tests at home. While focused on testing sheep and goats, this event is applicable to all ruminants and camelids.