Updated: May 2, 2008

Clean Water Act and CAFO Permit Delegation

Currently, EPA delegates authority to enforce the federal Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) rules and permit in Washington State to the Department of Ecology (ECY).

In 2003, the Legislature directed the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to apply for CAFO delegation.  WSDA worked with stakeholders and ECY over several years on legislation to make this possible.  In 2006, stakeholders and state agencies mutually agreed to put pursuing delegation for WSDA on hold.

Instead, WSDA and ECY are carrying out a longer term split of CAFO responsibilities.  Ecology continues to administer, develop, and process CAFO permits.  WSDA inspects permitted facilities and provides technical support.  

The agencies and stakeholders will review the effectiveness of this split program from time to time to identify opportunities for improvement and evaluate if and when delegation should again be pursued.

• EPA Delegation Process Elements

Contacts:

Please contact one of the Delegation Process representatives for more information:

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