Industry to frame guidelines for zero discharge

Two work groups have been created to develop guidelines for design standards or Best Management Practices to achieve the EPA's zero discharge rule in poultry houses, during a meeting of industry representatives.
Organizations represented at the meeting attendees included poultry companies on the Delmarva Peninsula, growers, poultry house builders, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maryland Farm Bureau, University of Maryland, Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. and Maryland Department of Agriculture.
One work group will focus on ponds, storm water, grasses, vegetation and fans, while the other will focus on site issues, setbacks, building standards, and comparing older housing to today's housing. The work groups will present recommendations by the end of the month.
In 2008, the EPA CAFO regulations that took effect this February stipulated zero discharge for new poultry houses.