RALEIGH - In an effort to lessen the environmental impacts from hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, state regulators today announced an emergency waste management strategy for affected livestock and poultry operations.

"We're trying to minimize water quality impacts and protect our natural resources while still helping these farmers through these difficult times," said Bill Holman, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"Growers will be offered flexibility in their land application practices under the strategy, but no waste run-off or discharges will be allowed," Holman said. "In cases where poor planning and improper operation caused the problems, however, enforcement will still be an option."

Animal facilities in disaster counties that are unable to meet current water quality guidelines can apply to DENR's Division of Water Quality by Oct. 31 for a temporary emergency strategy. Staff will review applications and those who qualify will have to submit a report to DWQ by Jan. 31, 2000 that documents actions taken to handle waste products.

Conditions of the emergency policy include a commitment from the particular grower to remove as much waste as practical to another facility that can adequately handle it; and a requirement to only restock as many animals as a facility can accommodate and still meet its certified animal waste management plan. Some facilities that are unable to meet waste handling requirements may have to remove their animals.

The strategy allows flexibility in the following areas: the temporary addition of new land application sites and crops, such as small grains; and extension of the land application period for coastal Bermuda grass and other summer perennials until the first frost.

DENR also announced a rebuilding policy for animal operations flooded following Hurricane Floyd. Animal waste systems that need to be replaced or that sustained damage in excess of 50 percent during the flooding from Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd may not be rebuilt in the 100-year floodplain, according to the policy.

State law and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibit rebuilding within the 100-year floodplain, according to a policy statement issued by the state agency. Operations with less than 50 percent in damages will be required to meet certain siting and construction standards.

"The DENR will work expeditiously with farmers who choose to repair (50 percent or less damage) their conventional lagoons, provided the repaired systems comply with certain standards set forth by current state law, federal regulations and U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service standards," the rebuilding policy reads. "The DENR will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assure that financial and technical assistance programs encourage repair to a level meeting these standards."

The DENR's priority is to protect public health and the environment, according to Holman, who said the rebuilding policy is consistent with Governor Jim Hunt's swine lagoon conversion plan for converting animal operations to newer, more effective treatment technologies. Holman also said DENR is encouraging reinvestment in technologies and locations that will be the most effective for long-term environmental protection and reducing future disaster risks.

"We understand that the recent floods have added to the economic plight of our farmers," Holman said. "Governor Hunt and the DENR are working aggressively with federal agencies to develop funding assistance and incentives for producers. The funding and incentives would be used to install new treatment technologies, move facilities out of the floodplain and upgrade them to current standards, and to buyout facilities from interested producers."

Since Hurricane Floyd struck, DENR staff has conducted assessments of most lagoons affected by flooding with a focus on evaluating their structural integrity. Producers have been instructed to contact the Division of Water Quality for guidance on managing their waste systems in order to protect their lagoon integrity and address inadequate freeboard issues. All permitted and certified animal producers located in flood areas have been instructed to report their lagoon conditions to the DWQ. The producers are also required to contact the DWQ before repopulating with any animals. The DWQ will determine whether the facility has sufficient waste management capacity to accommodate additional animals.

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