| The Agricultural Branch of the Environmental Permits Division (EPD) oversees the development, issuance, and maintenance of the permits issued for agricultural related facilities. Agricultural related facilities include, but are not limited to, animal growing operations, food processing operations, crop maintenance services, grain storage and processing operations, and vegetable oil processing operations. |
* The Permit Board on Environmental Quality issued the statewide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (MSG23) on October 31, 2011. The Pesticide General Permit (PGP) covers the State of Mississippi and authorizes operators who discharge to waters of the State from the application of pesticides under the terms and conditions of the proposed PGP. In addition to being consistent with product label application rates (authorized under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)), the PGP requires eligible operators to implement site-specific control measures that minimize discharges of pesticides to waters of the State. Activities covered by the permit include the application of pesticides to control: 1/ mosquito and other flying insects; 2/ weeds, algae, and pathogens; 3/ nuisance animal pests in water and at water’s edge; 4/ forest canopy pests; and 5/ other pests on a “case by case” basis to be evaluated individually. The general permit can be viewed by clicking here.
Currently, all operators who meet the eligibility requirements identified in the permit and who plan to discharge pollutants associated with the application of pesticides into State waters, under the terms and conditions of this permit, are automatically covered under this permit. After April 30, 2012, all “decision makers” for large entities who plan to or do surpass annual treatment thresholds (identified in the permit) are authorized to discharge under this permit only after the completion of a Pesticide Notice of Intent (PNOI) and the development of a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan (PDMP). In addition, for special cases where MDEQ request a PNOI to be submitted under ACT 1, T-3, (5) or ACT 1, T-7 (1 & 3) of the permit, then operators (decision-makers and/or applicators) are authorized to discharge only after receiving written notification of such from MDEQ. The NOI form can be viewed by clicking here.
Applications of chemical pesticides that leave no excess portion of pesticide (after its intended purpose), to State Waters are not considered discharges of pollutants. Therefore, an operator need not obtain NPDES permit coverage where no pesticide residuals exist in State Waters. In addition, an NPDES permit is not required for return flows from irrigated agriculture or for the introduction of pollutants from nonpoint source agricultural and silvicultural activities as described in 40 CFR 122.3 (e), including storm water runoff from orchards, cultivated crops, pastures, range lands and forest lands. According to 122.27, non-point silviculture activities such as nursery operations, site preparation, reforestation and subsequent cultural treatment, thinning, prescribed burning, pest and fire control, harvesting operations, surface drainage, or road construction and maintenance from which there is natural runoff does not meet the definition of a silvicultural point source activities and therefore do not require NPDES coverage.
* The Permit Board on Environmental Quality issued the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Multimedia General Permit (MSG22) on August 23, 2010. This Multimedia General Permit authorizes the operation of a concentrated animal feeding operation, discharges of storm waster associated with agricultural and construction activities, and the release of air emissions associated with the construction and operation of an animal farm which may include mortality incineration equipment. The general permit can be viewed by clicking here. Affected Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations may obtain coverage by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) form, and all accompanying documentation to the Environmental Permits Division.
* The Permit Board on Environmental Quality issued the Dry Litter Poultry Animal Feeding Operation (DLPAFO) Multimedia General Permit (MSG20) on February 1, 2009. This Multimedia General Permit authorizes the operation of a dry litter poultry animal feeding operation, discharges of storm waster associated with agricultural and construction activities, and the release of air emissions associated with the construction and operation of a poultry farm which may include mortality incineration equipment. The general permit can be viewed by clicking here. Affected Dry Litter Poultry Animal Feeding Operations may obtain coverage by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) form, and all accompanying documentation to the Environmental Permits Division.
|
|