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Large scale animal feeding operations produce tremendous amounts of waste – often more than the human waste generated by a small city.  Although the manure from these facilities can be used as a beneficial fertilizer, these wastes can contain a dangerous mix of nutrients, chemicals, antibiotics, and microorganisms that can pollute groundwater and streams.  These pollutants pose threats to our drinking water if storage and land application of manure is not regulated properly. 

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has been monitoring and enforcing water pollution permits for these facilities.  The EPA’s job is to protect human health and Ohio’s environment.  No other government agency has that same mandate.

Unfortunately, the state of Ohio has taken away the authority of Ohio EPA to watch over these facilities.

The state instead granted authority to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to take over this critically important responsibility.  According to ODA, its mission is to provide regulatory protection to producers, agribusinesses, and the consuming public.  While this is an important role to fill, it is not the same job as safeguarding Ohioans’ health and the environment.

Please tell the U.S. EPA, which is monitoring the transfer process, to ensure protection of our water.