WASHINGTON (12/22/05) -- The U.S. EPA is seeking comments on a proposal to extend the dates for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to seek National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit coverage and to implement nutrient management plans as required by EPA's 2003 CAFO rule. 

The extensions reflect revisions to permit application deadlines required by the decision issued by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Waterkeeper Alliance et al. v. EPA, 399 F.3d 486 (2nd Cir. 2005). EPA is developing new regulations in response to the decision but is not expected to finalize the rule by the date that new CAFOs must seek permit coverage. EPA is proposing to move expediently to revising these dates in a separate rulemaking.

Additional information about the CAFO rule is available online.