The state Division of Water Quality has scheduled four hearings in June on proposed rules to assess the impact of animal feeding operations on water quality.
The hearing for this region will be held June 9 at the Iredell County center, 444 Bristol Drive, Statesville. It starts at 7 p.m.
Hearings are also scheduled in Kenansville, Raleigh and Williamston.
The proposed rules include requirements for monitoring surface waters at animal feeding operations, conditions that require groundwater monitoring and sampling in the event of an unpermitted waste discharge. The program’s goal is to ensure that waste systems protect surface and groundwater and operate within permit limitations. Another goal is to document water quality in adjacent waterways.
The routine monitoring of surface waters would consist of three samplings a year with up to three sampling locations per farm.
According to the proposed rules, groundwater monitoring may be required if animal feeding operations are making an impact on surrounding wells.
Copies of the rules are available on the Division of Water Quality’s Web site, www.ncwaterquality.org. Click on the “Hot Topics” link for Proposed Monitoring Rules at Animal Feeding Operations.
Copies may be obtained by writing to Keith Larick, DENR-DWQ Aquifer Protection Section, 1636 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1636; by e-mailing him at keith.larick@ncdenr.gov or by calling him at (919) 715-6697.
Written comments on the proposed rules may be sent to the mail and e-mail addresses listed above. Oral and written comments may be presented during the hearings.
Written copies of oral comments that exceed three minutes are requested.
All written comments must be submitted by July 14.