Evaluation of the EPA's Oversight of Ohio's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Why We Did This Report

We initiated this evaluation to determine whether the EPA’s oversight verifies that Ohio’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permitting program implements federal regulatory requirements related to nutrient management plans for concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

Summary of Findings

The EPA conducts oversight of the Ohio EPA’s NPDES permitting program for CAFOs in accordance with its responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. We conclude that the EPA’s oversight provides reasonable assurance that Ohio’s program verifies that nutrient management plans for CAFOs include the nine minimum requirements under 40 C.F.R. §122.42(e)(1)(i)-(ix), and we make no recommendations as a result of this evaluation.