2006, Jun. 13 letter to PA DEP - PennFuture
2006, Jun. 13 letter to PA DEP - PennFuture
2006, Jun. 13 letter to PA DEP - PennFuture
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<strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>13</strong>, <strong>2006</strong><br />
Vic<strong>to</strong>r Landis<br />
Water Management Program<br />
<strong>DEP</strong>, Southcentral Region<br />
909 Elmer<strong>to</strong>n Avenue<br />
Harrisburg, <strong>PA</strong> 17110-8200<br />
Jennifer Means<br />
Water Management Program<br />
<strong>DEP</strong>, Northcentral Region<br />
208 West Third Street, Suite 101<br />
Williamsport, <strong>PA</strong> 17701-6448<br />
Dear Vic<strong>to</strong>r and Jennifer,<br />
CAFOs are required under the terms of their NPDES permit <strong>to</strong> apply for a renewal of<br />
their permit 180 days prior <strong>to</strong> its expiration. However, a significant number of facilities<br />
have ignored this mandate. While it is the responsibility of the permitee <strong>to</strong> meet this<br />
requirement, <strong>DEP</strong> has done little, if anything, <strong>to</strong> ensure that opera<strong>to</strong>rs comply with this<br />
permit condition.<br />
While I appreciate the efforts of the <strong>DEP</strong> staff, the CAFO program has certainly faltered<br />
at times. I understand that the <strong>DEP</strong> staff is struggling <strong>to</strong> determine who now falls in<strong>to</strong> the<br />
regulated community, given the passing of a recent deadline <strong>to</strong> apply for a permit under<br />
the revised regulations. However, we can not become so preoccupied with what could be<br />
that the entire system fails <strong>to</strong> maintain its teeth. This would be catastrophic for both the<br />
environment and the regulated community.<br />
Two examples of failure <strong>to</strong> renew NPDES CAFO permits are worth highlighting. A<br />
Perry County, Tyrone Township facility called the Mark Leinbach Farm is currently<br />
operating on an expired NPDES permit. This is a significant facility with 795 animal<br />
equivalent units. A facility of this size should never fall through the cracks. It is unclear<br />
<strong>to</strong> me how such a large operation could fail <strong>to</strong> apply for a renewal and go unnoticed by<br />
<strong>DEP</strong>. It should not be allowed <strong>to</strong> continue <strong>to</strong> operate without a permit.<br />
Additionally, the third largest CAFO in the state has failed <strong>to</strong> file a timely permit renewal<br />
and is fast approaching the expiration of its NPDES permit. Mason Dixon Farms, located<br />
in Adams County, Cumberland and Freedom Township, is an extremely large facility<br />
with over 4,200 animal equivalent units. This facility hardly flies under the radar screen<br />
of <strong>DEP</strong>. <strong>DEP</strong> must require the opera<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> file a renewal application before the expiration<br />
of its permit in a month. Additionally, this facility must be sharply penalized if it<br />
operates without a permit.
The following additional facilities have also failed <strong>to</strong> file a permit renewal with the<br />
Department as required by the conditions of their NPDES CAFO permits.<br />
Keating Farm<br />
Bedford County, Hamp<strong>to</strong>n Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088927<br />
Mountain View Farms 1 & 2<br />
Berks County, Bethel Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088901<br />
Patrick & Kathie Blow Farm<br />
Bradford County, Terry Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 124809<br />
Hickory Hollow Farm<br />
Chester County, East Nottingham Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 120002<br />
Tim McMichael Farm<br />
Chester County, Lower Oxford Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 120001<br />
M & M Farms<br />
Huntingdon County, Cromwell Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123519<br />
Lost Creek Farms<br />
<strong>Jun</strong>iata County, Fayette Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0246786<br />
Leroy Zimmerman Farm<br />
Lancaster County, East Donegal Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123520<br />
Ken<strong>to</strong>n Sweigert Farm<br />
Lancaster County, East Donegal Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123524<br />
Graywood Farms<br />
Lancaster County, Ful<strong>to</strong>n Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088889<br />
Jeremiah Sensenig Farm<br />
Lancaster County, Little Britain Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088862<br />
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Jeremiah & James Sensenig Farm<br />
Lancaster County, Little Britain Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088854<br />
Meadowview Farms, LLC<br />
Lancaster County, West Cocalico Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123509<br />
Goss Family Farm<br />
Mifflin County, Decatur Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123511<br />
Aspen-Perry Farm<br />
Perry County, Oliver Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088846<br />
Heindel Family Farms<br />
York County, Chanceford Townships<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123512<br />
The following facilities are required <strong>to</strong> submit a permit renewal with the Department in<br />
the very immediate future. The Department must ensure that timely renewals are<br />
received.<br />
Dry Run Farm<br />
Franklin County, Peters Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 1235<strong>13</strong><br />
Timber Ridge Farm<br />
Ful<strong>to</strong>n County, Belfast Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong>G 123514<br />
Frey Dairy Farm<br />
Lancaster County, Manor Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088692<br />
Hillbred Pig Company<br />
Lancaster County, West Cocalico Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088706<br />
Middle Creek Swine Farm<br />
Lancaster County, West Cocalico Township<br />
<strong>PA</strong> 0088714<br />
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The Department must take seriously the fact that these facilities are violating the terms<br />
and conditions of their NPDES CAFO permit. The Department must take swift and<br />
meaningful action against these facilities <strong>to</strong> bring them in<strong>to</strong> compliance. Facilities that<br />
operate without a proper permit should consider themselves susceptible <strong>to</strong> legal action by<br />
<strong>PennFuture</strong>.<br />
If you have any questions or concern, please feel free <strong>to</strong> call me <strong>to</strong> discuss this matter<br />
further.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Kimberly L. Snell-Zarcone, Esquire<br />
Staff At<strong>to</strong>rney, Agricultural Issues<br />
cc:<br />
Secretary Katie McGinty<br />
Cathy Curran Myers, Esquire<br />
Secretary Dennis Wolff<br />
Mike Pechart<br />
Dukes Pepper, Esquire<br />
Doug Brennan, Esquire<br />
Doug Goodlander<br />
James Spontak<br />
Rich Adams<br />
Cedric Karper<br />
Bob Gibson<br />
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