The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Agriculture jointly manage the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) NPDES permitting program.

The CAFO program operates under the Delaware Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution (7 DE Admin. Code 7201), specifically Subsection 9.5.

The Department of Agriculture is the primary and initial point of contact for regulated farms. It conducts inspections, collects necessary documents, and reviews Nutrient and Animal Waste Management Plans. The final permit is issued by DNREC, with the assistance of the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

To be covered under the General NPDES CAFO permit, applicants must submit a completed Notice of Intent (NOI), and Nutrient Management and Animal Waste Management Plans to the Department of Agriculture:

Nutrient Management Program
Delaware Department of Agriculture
2320 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
302-698-4558
Nutrient.management@delaware.gov

When all documents are complete and approved, an authorization letter under the permit will be sent to the applicant.

Forms and Documents

NOI and Application for General CAFO Permits
– NOI and Application Instructions

Active:

General NPDES Permit for Large, Medium and Designated Poultry CAFOs – Manure Generation Facilities Only (Effective Sept. 1, 2023)
– Fact Sheet

General NPDES Permit for Large, Medium and Designated All Other Species and Diversified CAFOs – Manure Generation and Land Application Facilities (Effective Sept. 1, 2023)
– Fact Sheet

Pending:

General NPDES Permit for Large, Medium and Designated Poultry CAFOs – Facilities with Land Application of Manure (Expired April 30, 2024)
– Fact Sheet

Department of Agriculture

Nutrient Management Program

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Web Page

Related Topics:  cafo, clean water, commercial, government, NPDES, permitting and regulation, pollutant, surface water, water