Dairy/CAFO Permitting

GGI has the technical expertise and a highly-professional staff that can assist the dairy owner to acquire the groundwater/surface water permits, then help the dairy to comply with the terms and conditions of the permits. This includes the specific discharge permit offered by state agencies, the NPDES General CAFO Permit of the USEPA, or dairy-specific storm water permit for construction.

GGI has performed this type of work for clients other than dairies. These clients include golf courses, horse racetracks, and prison facilities.

» Groundwater discharge Permit preparation
» NPDES permit preparation (CAFO permit)
» Stormwater general permit preparation

All dairies now require some type of environmental permit in order to operate. The dairy is responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of the permits. Each state has a standard for the quality of surface water (“the waters of the United States”) and groundwater, especially if these waters are a source for other uses. State agencies require permits for any operation with a discharge that has potential to impact water quality. In most cases, the permit for the dairy will require a variety of conditions such as monitoring of discharges, design requirements for lagoons, record keeping green water applications, and sampling of soils.

If there are impacts to either surface water or groundwater, the dairy is required to provide notification and conduct a clean up activity. This impact may be a sudden, uncontrolled release of green water onto the surface or an accumulation of contaminants in the shallow groundwater. The dairy will be directed to provide solution to stop the source of the contamination and a plan to remediate the existing problems. Many states and the Federal government have the ability to penalize the dairy for violation of the permit.

Selected Projects:

» NMED Groundwater discharge permit renewal and modification for dairies in middle Rio Grande
» Groundwater Discharge permit preparation for a Golf course irrigated with reclaimed waste water located in northern New Mexico
» Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan preparation for NM dairies required for receiving funding under NRCS EQIP (Environmental Quality Improvement Program)
» Sotrmwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) preparation for a dairy construction site in Nevada
» EPA NPDES General Permit application preparation for dairies in NM and NV; Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) preparation