Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-630. Virginia Pollution Abatement Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management (amending 9VAC25-630-10 through 9VAC25-630-80; adding 9VAC25-630-90).

Statutory Authority: §§ 62.1-44.15 and 62.1-44.17:1.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

September 14, 2020 - 7 p.m. - GoToWebinar - Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
1998009848523103248. If a determination is made for an in person option, details will be announced on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website.

September 16, 2020 - 9 a.m. - GoToWebinar - Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
673532644146132240. If a determination is made for an in person option, details will be announced on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and the DEQ website.

Public Comment Deadline: October 2, 2020.

Agency Contact: Betsy Bowles, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 698-4059, FAX (804) 698-4032, or email betsy.bowles@deq.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The proposed amendments update, for the purpose of reissuing, the existing Virginia Pollution Abatement Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management (9VAC25-630) to continue the general permit coverage of nearly 1,000 confined poultry feeding operations. The Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) general permit governs the management of poultry feeding operations that confine 200 or more animal units (20,000 chickens or 11,000 turkeys) and establishes the utilization, storage, tracking, and accounting requirements related to poultry waste. The VPA expires on November 30, 2020.

9VAC25-630-10. Definitions.

The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings defined in the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) and the Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32) unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, except that for the purposes of this chapter:

"Agricultural storm water discharge" means a precipitation-related discharge of manure, litter, or process wastewater that has been applied on land areas under the control of an animal feeding operation or under the control of a poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker in accordance with a nutrient management plan approved by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and in accordance with site-specific nutrient management practices that ensure appropriate agricultural utilization of the nutrients in the manure, litter, or process wastewater.

"Animal feeding operation" means a lot or facility (other than an aquatic animal production facility) where both of the following conditions are met:

1. Animals (other than aquatic animals) have been, are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or more in any 12-month period; and

2. Crops, vegetation, forage growth, or post-harvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion of the operation of the lot or facility.

Two or more animal feeding operations under common ownership are a single animal feeding operation for the purpose of determining the number of animals at an operation if they adjoin each other or if they use a common area or system for the disposal of wastes.

"Commercial poultry processor" or "processor" means any animal food manufacturer, as defined in § 3.2-5400 of the Code of Virginia, that contracts with poultry growers for the raising of poultry.

"Confined animal feeding operation," for the purposes of this regulation, has the same meaning as an "animal feeding operation."

"Confined poultry feeding operation" means any confined animal feeding operation with 200 or more animal units of poultry. This equates to 20,000 chickens or 11,000 turkeys, regardless of animal age or sex.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

"Director" means the Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality or his the director's designee.

"Fact sheet" means the document prepared by the department that summarizes the requirements set forth in this chapter regarding utilization, storage, and management of poultry waste by poultry waste end-users and poultry waste brokers.

"General permit" means 9VAC25-630-50.

"Nutrient management plan" or "NMP" means a plan developed or approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation that requires proper storage, treatment, and management of poultry waste, including dry litter, and limits accumulation of excess nutrients in soils and leaching or discharge of nutrients into state waters; except that for a poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who is not subject to the general permit, the requirements of 9VAC25-630-80 constitute the NMP.

"Organic source" means any nutrient source including, but not limited to, manures, biosolids, compost, and waste or sludges from animals, humans, or industrial processes, but for the purposes of this regulation it excludes waste from wildlife.

"Permittee" means the poultry grower, poultry waste end-user, or poultry waste broker whose poultry waste management activities are covered under the general permit.

"Poultry grower" or "grower" means any person who owns or operates a confined poultry feeding operation.

"Poultry waste" means dry poultry litter and composted dead poultry.

"Poultry waste broker" or "broker" means a person who possesses or controls poultry waste that is not generated on an animal feeding operation under his operational control and who transfers or hauls poultry waste to other persons. If the entity is defined as a broker they cannot be defined as a hauler for the purposes of this regulation.

"Poultry waste end-user" or "end-user" means any recipient of transferred poultry waste who stores or who utilizes the waste as fertilizer, fuel, feedstock, livestock feed, or other beneficial end use for an operation under his control.

"Poultry waste hauler" or "hauler" means a person who provides transportation of transferred poultry waste from one entity to another, and is not otherwise involved in the transfer or transaction of the waste, nor responsible for determining the recipient of the waste. The responsibility of the recordkeeping and reporting remains with the entities to which the service was provided: grower, broker, and end-user.

"Seasonal high water table" means that portion of the soil profile where a color change has occurred in the soil as a result of saturated soil conditions or where soil concretions have formed. Typical colors are gray mottlings, solid gray, or black. The depth in the soil at which these conditions first occur is termed the seasonal high water table.

"Standard rate" means a land application rate for poultry waste approved by the board as specified in this regulation.

"Vegetated buffer" means a permanent strip of dense perennial vegetation established parallel to the contours of and perpendicular to the dominant slope of the field for the purposes of slowing water runoff, enhancing water infiltration, and minimizing the risk of any potential nutrients or pollutants from leaving the field and reaching surface waters.

9VAC25-630-20. Purpose; delegation of authority; effective date of permit.

A. This regulation governs the management of poultry waste at confined poultry feeding operations not covered by a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit and poultry waste utilized or stored by poultry waste end-users or poultry waste brokers. It establishes requirements for proper nutrient management, waste storage, and waste tracking and accounting of poultry waste.

B. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his the director's designee, may perform any act of the board provided under this chapter, except as limited by § 62.1-44.14 of the Code of Virginia.

C. This general permit will become effective on December 1, 2010 2020. This general permit will expire 10 years from the effective date.

9VAC25-630-25. Duty to comply.

A. Any person who manages or proposes to manage pollutants regulated by 9VAC25-630 shall comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter.

B. In order to manage pollutants from a confined poultry feeding operation, the poultry grower shall be required to obtain coverage under the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) general permit or an individual VPA permit provided that the poultry grower has not been required to obtain a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit. The poultry grower shall comply with the requirements of this chapter and the permit.

C. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall comply with the technical requirements outlined in 9VAC25-630-60, 9VAC25-630-70, and 9VAC25-630-80. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who does not comply with the technical requirements outlined in 9VAC25-630-60, 9VAC25-630-70, and 9VAC25-630-80 may be required to obtain coverage under the general permit.

D. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who is required by the board to obtain coverage under the Virginia Pollution Abatement general permit shall obtain coverage and comply with the requirements of this chapter.

E. Any commercial poultry processor shall comply with the requirements outlined in 9VAC25-630-90.

9VAC25-630-30. Authorization to manage pollutants.

A. Poultry grower. Any poultry grower governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to manage pollutants at confined poultry feeding operations provided that the poultry grower files the registration statement of 9VAC25-630-40, complies with the requirements of 9VAC25-630-50, and:

1. The poultry grower has not been required to obtain a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit or an individual permit according to 9VAC25-32-260 B;

2. The activities of the confined poultry feeding operation shall not contravene the Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260), as amended and adopted and amended by the board, or any provision of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). There shall be no point source discharge of wastewater to surface waters of the state except in the case of a storm event greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm. Agricultural storm water discharges are permitted. Domestic sewage or industrial waste shall not be managed under this general permit;

3. Confined poultry feeding operations that use disposal pits for routine disposal of daily mortalities shall not be covered under this general permit. The use of a disposal pit by a permittee for routine disposal of daily poultry mortalities shall be a violation of this permit. This prohibition shall not apply to the emergency disposal of dead poultry done according to regulations adopted pursuant to § 3.2-6002 or Chapter 14 (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia;

4. The poultry grower shall obtain Department of Conservation and Recreation approval of a nutrient management plan for the confined poultry feeding operation prior to the submittal of the registration statement. The poultry grower shall attach to the registration statement a copy of the approved nutrient management plan and a copy of the letter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation certifying approval of the nutrient management plan that was developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia. The poultry grower shall implement the approved nutrient management plan;

5. Adjoining property notification.

a. Prior to filing a general permit registration statement for a confined poultry feeding operation that proposes construction of poultry growing houses after December 1, 2000, the poultry grower shall give notice to all owners or residents of property that adjoins the property on which the proposed confined poultry feeding operation will be located. Such notice shall include (i) the types and maximum number of poultry which that will be maintained at the facility and (ii) the address and phone number of the appropriate department regional office to which comments relevant to the permit may be submitted.

b. Any person may submit written comments on the proposed operation to the department within 30 days of the date of the filing of the registration statement. If, on the basis of such written comments or his review, the director determines that the proposed operation will not be capable of complying with the provisions of the general permit, the director shall require the owner to obtain an individual permit for the operation. Any such determination by the director shall be made in writing and received by the poultry grower not more than 45 days after the filing of the registration statement or, if in the director's sole discretion additional time is necessary to evaluate comments received from the public, not more than 60 days after the filing of the registration statement; and

6. Each poultry grower covered by this general permit shall complete a training program offered or approved by the department within one year of filing the registration statement for general permit coverage. All permitted poultry growers shall complete a training program at least once every five years.

B. Poultry waste end-user, poultry waste broker. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall comply with the requirements outlined in 9VAC25-630-60, 9VAC25-630-70, and 9VAC25-630-80 or the general permit as applicable.

1. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who does not comply with the requirements of 9VAC25-630-60, 9VAC25-630-70, and 9VAC25-630-80 may be required to obtain coverage under the general permit.

2. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker governed by this general permit is hereby authorized to manage pollutants relating to the utilization and storage of poultry waste provided that the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker files the registration statement of 9VAC25-630-40, complies with the requirements of 9VAC25-630-50, and:

a. The poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker has not been required to obtain a Virginia Pollution Abatement individual permit according to subdivision 2 b of 9VAC25-32-260;

b. The activities of the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall not contravene the Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260), as amended and adopted and amended by the board, or any provision of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). There shall be no point source discharge of wastewater to surface waters of the state except in the case of a storm event greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm. Agricultural storm water discharges are permitted. Domestic sewage or industrial waste shall not be managed under this general permit;

c. The poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall obtain Department of Conservation and Recreation approval of a nutrient management plan for land application sites where poultry waste will be utilized or stored and managed prior to the submittal of the registration statement. The poultry waste end-user or the poultry waste broker shall attach to the registration statement a copy of the approved nutrient management plan and a copy of the letter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation certifying approval of the nutrient management plan that was developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia. The poultry waste end-user or the poultry waste broker shall implement the approved nutrient management plan; and

d. Each poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker covered by this general permit shall complete a training program offered or approved by the department within one year of filing the registration statement for general permit coverage. All permitted poultry waste end-users or permitted poultry waste brokers shall complete a training program at least once every five years.

C. Receipt of this general permit does not relieve any poultry grower, poultry waste end-user, or poultry waste broker of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state or local statute, ordinance, or regulation.

D. Continuation of permit coverage.

1. Any owner that was authorized to manage pollutants under the general permit issued in 2000, and that submits a complete registration statement on or before November 30, 2010 the expiration date, is authorized to continue to manage pollutants under the terms of the 2000 general permit until such time as the board either:

a. Issues coverage to the owner under this general permit; or

b. Notifies the owner that coverage under this permit is denied.

2. When the permittee that was covered under the expiring or expired general permit has violated or is violating the conditions of that permit, the board may choose to do any or all of the following:

a. Initiate enforcement action based upon the existing or expired general permit;

b. Issue a notice of intent to deny coverage under the amended reissued general permit. If the general permit coverage is denied, the owner would then be required to cease the activities authorized by the continued existing or expired general permit or be subject to enforcement action for operating without a permit;

c. Issue an individual permit with appropriate conditions; or

d. Take other actions set forth in the VPA Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32).

9VAC25-630-40. Registration statement.

A. Poultry growers. In order to be covered under the general permit, the poultry grower shall file a complete VPA General Permit Registration Statement. The registration statement shall contain the following information:

1. The poultry grower's name, mailing address, email address (if available), and telephone number;

2. The farm name (if applicable) and location of the confined poultry feeding operation;

3. The name, email address (if available), and telephone number of a contact person or operator other than the poultry grower, if necessary;

4 The best time of day and day of the week to contact the poultry grower or contact person;

5. If the facility has an existing VPA permit, the permit number;

6. Indicate whether the poultry are grown under contract with a commercial poultry processor or poultry integrator and give the name of the processor or integrator (if applicable);

7. The types of poultry and the maximum numbers of each type to be grown at the facility at any one time;

8. Identification of the method of dead bird disposal;

9. An indication of whether new poultry growing houses are under construction or planned for construction;

10. A copy of the nutrient management plan approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation;

11. A copy of the Department of Conservation and Recreation nutrient management plan approval letter that also certifies that the plan was developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia; and

12. The following certification: "I certify that for any confined poultry feeding operation that proposes construction of new poultry growing houses, notice of the registration statement has been given to all owners or residents of property that adjoins the property on which the confined poultry feeding operation will be located. This notice included the types and numbers of poultry which will be grown at the facility and the address and phone number of the appropriate Department of Environmental Quality regional office to which comments relevant to the permit may be submitted. I certify under penalty of law that all the requirements of the board for the general permit are being met and that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."

B. Poultry waste end-users or poultry waste brokers. In order to be covered under the general permit, the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall file a complete VPA General Permit Registration Statement. The registration statement shall contain the following information:

1. The poultry waste end-user's or poultry waste broker's name, mailing address, email address (if available), and telephone number;

2. The location of the operation where the poultry waste will be utilized, stored, or managed;

3. The best time of day and day of the week to contact the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker;

4. If the facility has an existing VPA permit, the permit number;

5. If confined poultry are located at the facility, indicate the number of confined poultry and give the name of the processor or integrator (if applicable);

6. A copy of the nutrient management plan approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation;

7. A copy of the Department of Conservation and Recreation nutrient management plan approval letter that also certifies that the plan was developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia; and

8. The following certification: "I certify under penalty of law that all the requirements of the board for the general permit are being met and that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."

C. The registration statement shall be signed in accordance with 9VAC25-32-50.

9VAC25-630-50. Contents of the general permit.

Any poultry grower, poultry waste end-user, or poultry waste broker whose registration statement is accepted by the board will receive the following general permit and shall comply with the requirements therein and be subject to the VPA Permit Regulation, 9VAC25-32.

General Permit No. VPG2

Effective Date: December 1, 2010 2020

Expiration Date: November 30, 2020 2030

GENERAL PERMIT FOR POULTRY WASTE MANAGEMENT

AUTHORIZATION TO MANAGE POLLUTANTS UNDER THE VIRGINIA POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROGRAM AND THE VIRGINIA STATE WATER CONTROL LAW

In compliance with the provisions of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) and State Water Control Board regulations adopted pursuant thereto, owners of confined poultry feeding operations having 200 or more animal units, poultry waste end-users, and poultry waste brokers are authorized to manage pollutants within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except where board regulations prohibit such activities.

The authorized pollutant management activities shall be in accordance with the registration statement and supporting documents submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality, this cover page, and Part I—Pollutant Management and Monitoring Requirements for Confined Poultry Feeding Operations and Part II—Conditions Applicable to All VPA Permits and Part III—Pollutant Management and Monitoring Requirements for Poultry Waste End-Users and Poultry Waste Brokers, as set forth herein.

Part I
Pollutant Management and Monitoring Requirements for Confined Poultry Feeding Operations

A. Pollutant management authorization and monitoring requirements.

1. During the period beginning with the permittee's coverage under this general permit and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to manage pollutants at the location or locations identified in the registration statement and the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

2. If poultry waste is land applied, it shall be applied at the rates specified in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

3. Soil at the land application sites shall be monitored as specified below in the following table. Additional soils monitoring may be required in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

4. Poultry waste shall be monitored as specified below. Additional waste monitoring may be required in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

5. Analysis of soil and waste shall be according to methods specified in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

6. All monitoring data required by Part I A shall be maintained on site in accordance with Part II B. Reporting of results to the department is not required; however, the monitoring results shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

B. Other Site design, storage, and operation requirements or special conditions.

1. The confined poultry feeding operation shall be designed and operated to (i) prevent point source discharges of pollutants to state waters except in the case of a storm event greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm and (ii) provide adequate waste storage capacity to accommodate periods when the ground is ice covered, snow covered or saturated, periods when land application of nutrients should not occur due to limited or nonexistent crop nutrient uptake, and periods when physical limitations prohibit the land application of waste.

2. Poultry waste shall be stored according to the nutrient management plan and in a manner that prevents contact with surface water and ground water. Poultry waste that is stockpiled outside of the growing house for more than 14 days shall be kept in a facility or at a site that provides adequate storage. Adequate storage shall, at a minimum, include the following:

a. Poultry waste shall be covered to protect it from precipitation and wind;

b. Storm water shall not run onto or under the stored poultry waste;

c. A minimum of two feet of separation distance to the seasonal high water table or an impermeable barrier shall be used under the stored poultry waste. All poultry waste storage facilities that use an impermeable barrier shall maintain a minimum of one foot of separation between the seasonal high water table and the impermeable barrier. "Seasonal high water table" means that portion of the soil profile where a color change has occurred in the soil as a result of saturated soil conditions or where soil concretions have formed. Typical colors are gray mottlings, solid gray or black. The depth in the soil at which these conditions first occur is termed the seasonal high water table. Impermeable barriers must be constructed of at least 12 inches of compacted clay, at least four inches of reinforced concrete, or another material of similar structural integrity that has a minimum permeability rating of 0.0014 inches per hour (1X10^-6 centimeters per second); and

d. For poultry waste that is not stored under roof, the storage site must be at least:

(1) 100 feet from any surface water, intermittent drainage, wells, sinkholes, rock outcrops, and springs; and

(2) 200 feet from any occupied dwellings not on the permittee's property, unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the storage site.

3. Poultry waste storage facilities constructed after December 1, 2000, shall not be located within a 100-year floodplain unless the poultry grower has no land outside the floodplain on which to construct the facility and the facility is constructed so that the poultry waste is stored above the 100-year flood elevation or otherwise protected from floodwaters through the construction of berms or similar best management flood control structures. New, expanded, or replacement poultry growing houses that are constructed after December 1, 2000, shall not be located within a 100-year floodplain unless they are part of an existing, ongoing confined poultry feeding operation and are constructed so that the poultry and poultry litter are housed above the 100-year flood elevation or otherwise protected from floodwaters through construction of berms or similar best management flood control structures. For the purposes of determining the 100-year floodplain, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), or a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) shall be used.

4. Poultry waste may be transferred from a permitted poultry grower to another person without identifying the fields where such waste will be utilized in the permitted poultry grower's approved nutrient management plan if the following conditions are met:

a. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry grower shall provide that person with:

(1) Grower name, address, and permit number;

(2) A copy of the most recent nutrient analysis of the poultry waste; and

(3) A fact sheet.

b. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry grower shall keep a record of the following:

(1) The recipient name and address;

(2) The amount of poultry waste received by the person;

(3) The date of the transaction;

(4) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(5) The signed waste transfer records form acknowledging the receipt of the following:

(a) The waste;

(b) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(c) A fact sheet.

c. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, and the recipient of the waste is someone other than a broker, the poultry grower shall keep a record of the following:

(1) The locality in which the recipient intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city and zip code); and

(2) The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site.

d. Poultry growers shall maintain the records required by Part I B 4 a, b, and c for at least three years after the transaction and shall make them available to department personnel upon request.

e. Poultry waste generated by this facility shall not be applied to fields owned by or under the operational control of either the poultry grower or a legal entity in which the poultry grower has an ownership interest unless the fields are included in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

The permittee shall operate and manage the facility so that impervious surfaces such as concrete end pads or load-out pads and surrounding areas and ventilation outlets are kept clean of poultry waste.

5. Confined poultry feeding operations that use disposal pits for routine disposal of daily mortalities shall not be covered under this general permit. The use of a disposal pit for routine disposal of daily poultry mortalities by a permittee shall be a violation of this permit. This prohibition does not apply to the emergency disposal of dead poultry done according to regulations adopted pursuant to § 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia or Chapter 14 (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia. When the poultry waste storage facility is no longer needed, the permittee shall close it in a manner that (i) minimizes the need for further maintenance and (ii) controls, minimizes, or eliminates, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the postclosure escape of uncontrolled leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the ground water, surface water, or the atmosphere. At closure, the permittee shall remove all poultry waste residue from the waste storage facility. At waste storage facilities without permanent covers and impermeable ground barriers, all residual poultry waste shall be removed from the surface below the stockpile when the poultry waste is taken out of storage. Removed waste materials shall be utilized according to the NMP.

C. Poultry waste transfer and utilization requirements.

1. Poultry waste may be transferred from a permitted poultry grower to another person without identifying the fields where such waste will be utilized in the permitted poultry grower's approved nutrient management plan if the following conditions are met:

a. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry grower shall provide that person with:

(1) Grower name, address, and permit number;

(2) A copy of the most recent nutrient analysis of the poultry waste; and

(3) A fact sheet.

b. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry grower shall keep a record of the following:

(1) The recipient name and address;

(2) The amount of poultry waste received by the person;

(3) The date of the transaction;

(4) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(5) The signed waste transfer records form acknowledging the receipt of the following:

(a) The waste;

(b) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(c) A fact sheet.

c. When a poultry grower transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, and the recipient of the waste is someone other than a broker, the poultry grower shall keep a record of the following:

(1) The locality in which the recipient intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city, county, and zip code); and

(2) The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site.

2. Poultry growers shall maintain the records required by Part I C 1 for at least three years after the transaction and shall make them available to department personnel upon request.

3. Transfer records reporting requirements. The grower shall submit the records required by Part I C 1 in accordance with the timing outlined in Part I C 3 a and b.

a. Beginning (insert the date one year after the effective date of this permit), upon request by the department, the grower shall submit the records in a format and method determined by the department.

b. Beginning (insert the date two years after the effective date of this permit), the grower shall submit to the department, annually, the records for the preceding state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) no later than September 15.

4. Poultry waste generated by this facility shall not be applied to fields owned by or under the operational control of either the poultry grower or a legal entity in which the poultry grower has an ownership interest unless the fields are included in the facility's approved nutrient management plan.

6. 5. The poultry grower shall implement a nutrient management plan (NMP) developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia and approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and maintain the plan on site. The terms of the NMP shall be enforceable through this permit. The NMP shall contain at a minimum the following information:

a. Site map indicating the location of the waste storage facilities and the fields where waste generated by this facility will be applied by the poultry grower. The location of fields as identified in Part I B 4 e Part I C 4 shall also be included;

b. Site evaluation and assessment of soil types and potential productivities;

c. Nutrient management sampling including soil and waste monitoring;

d. Storage and land area requirements for the grower's poultry waste management activities;

e. Calculation of waste application rates; and

f. Waste application schedules.

7. When the poultry waste storage facility is no longer needed, the permittee shall close it in a manner that: (i) minimizes the need for further maintenance and (ii) controls, minimizes or eliminates, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the postclosure escape of uncontrolled leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the ground water, surface water or the atmosphere. At closure, the permittee shall remove all poultry waste residue from the waste storage facility. At waste storage facilities without permanent covers and impermeable ground barriers, all residual poultry waste shall be removed from the surface below the stockpile when the poultry waste is taken out of storage. Removed waste materials shall be utilized according to the NMP.

8. 6. Nitrogen application rates contained in the NMP shall be established in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 A 2 4VAC50-85-140 A 2. The application of poultry waste shall be managed to minimize runoff, leachate, and volatilization losses, and reduce adverse water quality impacts from nitrogen.

9. 7. Phosphorus application rates contained in the NMP shall be established in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 A 2 4VAC50-85-140 A 2. The application of poultry waste shall be managed to minimize runoff and leaching and reduce adverse water quality impacts from phosphorous.

10. 8. The timing of land application of poultry waste shall be according to the schedule contained in the NMP, except that no waste may be applied to ice covered or snow covered ground or to soils that are saturated. Poultry waste may be applied to frozen ground within the NMP scheduled times only under the following conditions:

a. Slopes are not greater than 6.0%;

b. A minimum of a 200-foot vegetative or adequate crop residue buffer is maintained between the application area and all surface water courses;

c. Only those soils characterized by USDA as "well drained" with good infiltration are used; and

d. At least 60% uniform cover by vegetation or crop residue is present in order to reduce surface runoff and the potential for leaching of nutrients to ground water.

9. In cases where poultry waste storage is threatened by emergencies such as fire or flood or where these conditions are imminent, poultry waste can be land applied outside of the spreading schedule outlined in the grower's NMP. If this occurs, the poultry grower shall document the land application information in accordance with Part I C 11 and notify the department in accordance with Part II H.

11. 10. Poultry waste shall not be land applied within buffer zones. Buffer zones at waste application sites shall, at a minimum, be maintained as follows:

a. Distance from occupied dwellings not on the permittee's property: 200 feet (unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the buffer zone);

b. Distance from water supply wells or springs: 100 feet;

c. Distance from surface water courses: 100 feet (without a permanent vegetated buffer) or 35 feet (if a permanent vegetated buffer exists).

Other site-specific conservation practices may be approved by the department that will provide pollutant reductions equivalent or better than the reductions that would be achieved by the 100-foot buffer;

d. Distance from rock outcropping (except limestone): 25 feet;

e. Distance from limestone outcroppings: 50 feet; and

f. Waste shall not be applied in such a manner that it would discharge to sinkholes that may exist in the area.

12. 11. The following records shall be maintained:

a. The identification of the land application field sites where the waste is utilized or stored;

b. The application rate;

c. The application dates; and

d. What crops have been planted.

These records shall be maintained on site for a period of three years after recorded application is made and shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

D. Other special conditions.

13. 1. Each poultry grower covered by this general permit shall complete a training program offered or approved by the department within one year of filing the registration statement for general permit coverage. All permitted poultry growers shall complete a training program at least once every five years.

2. Confined poultry feeding operations that use disposal pits for routine disposal of daily mortalities shall not be covered under this general permit. The use of a disposal pit for routine disposal of daily poultry mortalities by a permittee shall be a violation of this permit. This prohibition does not apply to the emergency disposal of dead poultry done according to regulations adopted pursuant to § 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia or Chapter 14 (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Part II
Conditions Applicable to all VPA Permits

A. Monitoring.

1. Samples and measurements taken as required by this permit shall be representative of the monitored activity.

2. Monitoring shall be conducted according to procedures listed under 40 CFR Part 136 unless other procedures have been otherwise specified in this permit.

3. The permittee shall periodically calibrate and perform maintenance procedures on all monitoring and analytical instrumentation at intervals that will ensure accuracy of measurements.

B. Records.

1. Records of monitoring information shall include:

a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;

b. The name of the individual(s) individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;

c. The date(s) dates analyses were performed;

d. The name of the individual(s) individuals who performed the analyses;

e. The analytical techniques or methods used, with supporting information such as observations, readings, calculations and bench data; and

f. The results of such analyses.

2. The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by this permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for this permit for a period of at least three years from the date of the sample, measurement, report or application. This period of retention may be extended by request of the board at any time.

C. Reporting monitoring results. If reporting is required by Part I or Part III of this general permit, the permittee shall follow the requirements of this subsection.

1. The permittee shall submit the results of the monitoring required by this permit not later than the 10th day of the month after the monitoring takes place, unless another reporting schedule is specified elsewhere in this permit. Monitoring results shall be submitted to the department's regional office.

2. Monitoring results shall be reported on forms provided or specified by the department.

3. If the permittee monitors the pollutant management activity, at a sampling location specified in this permit, for any pollutant more frequently than required by the permit using approved analytical methods, the permittee shall report the results of this monitoring on the monitoring report.

4. If the permittee monitors the pollutant management activity, at a sampling location specified in this permit, for any pollutant that is not required to be monitored by the permit, and uses approved analytical methods, the permittee shall report the results with the monitoring report.

5. Calculations for all limitations that require averaging of measurements shall utilize an arithmetic mean unless otherwise specified in this permit.

D. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information which the director may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying, revoking and reissuing, or terminating this permit, or to determine compliance with this permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the department, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permittee. Plans, specifications, maps, conceptual reports, and other relevant information shall be submitted as requested by the director prior to commencing construction.

E. Compliance schedule reports. Reports of compliance or noncompliance with, or any progress reports on, interim and final requirements contained in any compliance schedule of this permit shall be submitted no later than 14 days following each schedule date.

F. Unauthorized discharges. Except in compliance with this permit, or another permit issued by the board, it shall be unlawful for any person to:

1. Discharge into state waters sewage, industrial wastes, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substances; or

2. Otherwise alter the physical, chemical, or biological properties of such state waters and make them detrimental to the public health, or to animal or aquatic life, or to the use of such waters for domestic or industrial consumption, or for recreation, or for other uses.

G. Reports of unauthorized discharges. Any permittee who discharges or causes or allows (i) a discharge of sewage, industrial waste, other wastes, or any noxious or deleterious substance into or upon state waters in violation of Part II F, or (ii) a discharge that may reasonably be expected to enter state waters in violation of Part II F shall notify the department of the discharge immediately upon discovery of the discharge, but in no case later than 24 hours after said discovery. A written report of the unauthorized discharge shall be submitted to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge. The written report shall contain:

1. A description of the nature and location of the discharge;

2. The cause of the discharge;

3. The date on which the discharge occurred;

4. The length of time that the discharge continued;

5. The volume of the discharge;

6. If the discharge is continuing, how long it is expected to continue;

7. If the discharge is continuing, what the expected total volume of the discharge will be; and

8. Any steps planned or taken to reduce, eliminate, and prevent a recurrence of the present discharge or any future discharges not authorized by this permit.

Discharges reportable to the department under the immediate reporting requirements of other regulations are exempted from this requirement.

H. Reports of unusual or extraordinary discharges. If any unusual or extraordinary discharge including a bypass or upset should occur from a treatment works and the discharge enters or could be expected to enter state waters, the permittee shall promptly notify, in no case later than 24 hours, the department by telephone after the discovery of the discharge. This notification shall provide all available details of the incident, including any adverse affects effects on aquatic life and the known number of fish killed. The permittee shall reduce the report to writing and shall submit it to the department within five days of discovery of the discharge in accordance with Part II I 2. Unusual and extraordinary discharges include but are not limited to any discharge resulting from:

1. Unusual spillage of materials resulting directly or indirectly from processing operations;

2. Breakdown of processing or accessory equipment;

3. Failure or taking out of service some or all of the treatment works; and

4. Flooding or other acts of nature.

I. Reports of noncompliance. The permittee shall report any noncompliance which may adversely affect state waters or may endanger public health.

1. An oral report shall be provided within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The following shall be included as information which shall be reported within 24 hours under this paragraph:

a. Any unanticipated bypass; and

b. Any upset which causes a discharge to surface waters.

2. A written report shall be submitted within five days and shall contain:

a. A description of the noncompliance and its cause;

b. The period of noncompliance, including exact dates and times, and, if the noncompliance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue; and

c. Steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance.

The board may waive the written report on a case-by-case basis for reports of noncompliance under Part II I if the oral report has been received within 24 hours and no adverse impact on state waters has been reported.

3. The permittee shall report all instances of noncompliance not reported under Part II I 1 or 2 in writing at the time the next monitoring reports are submitted. The reports shall contain the information listed in Part II I 2.

NOTE: The immediate (within 24 hours) reports required in Parts Part II F, G, and H may be made to the department's regional office. For reports outside normal working hours, leave a message and this shall fulfill the immediate reporting requirement. For emergencies, the Virginia Department of Emergency Services Management maintains a 24-hour telephone service at 1-800-468-8892.

J. Notice of planned changes.

1. The permittee shall give notice to the department as soon as possible of any planned physical alterations or additions to the design or operation of the pollutant management activity.

2. The permittee shall give at least 10 days advance notice to the department of any planned changes in the permitted facility or activity that may result in noncompliance with permit requirements.

K. Signatory requirements.

1. Applications. All permit applications shall be signed as follows:

a. For a corporation: by a responsible corporate officer. For the purpose of this section, a responsible corporate officer means: (i) a president, secretary, treasurer, or vice-president of the corporation in charge of a principal business function, or any other person who performs similar policy- policy-making or decision-making functions for the corporation or (ii) the manager of one or more manufacturing, production, or operating facilities employing more than 250 persons or having gross annual sales or expenditures exceeding $25 million (in second-quarter 1980 dollars), if authority to sign documents has been assigned or delegated to the manager in accordance with corporate procedures;

b. For a partnership or sole proprietorship: by a general partner or the proprietor, respectively; or

c. For a municipality, state, federal, or other public agency: by either a principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For purposes of this section, a principal executive officer of a public agency includes: (i) the chief executive officer of the agency, or (ii) a senior executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a principal geographic unit of the agency.

2. Reports, etc. All reports required by permits, and other information requested by the board shall be signed by a person described in Part II K 1, or by a duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:

a. The authorization is made in writing by a person described in Part II K 1;

b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated facility or activity such as the position of plant manager, operator of a well or a well field, superintendent, or a position of equivalent responsibility. A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position; and

c. The written authorization is submitted to the department.

3. Changes to authorization. If an authorization under Part II K 2 is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization satisfying the requirements of Part II K 2 shall be submitted to the department prior to or together with any reports, or information to be signed by an authorized representative.

4. Certification. Any person signing a document under Part II K 1 or 2 shall make the following certification: "I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations."

L. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of this general permit and 9VAC25-630. Any noncompliance with the general permit or 9VAC25-630 constitutes a violation of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Permit noncompliance is grounds for enforcement action; for permit termination, revocation and reissuance, or modification; or denial of a permit renewal application. Compliance with a permit during its term constitutes compliance, for purposes of enforcement, with the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

M. Duty to reapply. If the permittee wishes to continue an activity regulated by this permit after the expiration date of this permit, the permittee shall apply for and obtain a new permit. All permittees with a currently effective permit shall submit a new application at least 30 days before the expiration date of the existing permit unless permission for a later date has been granted by the board. The board shall not grant permission for applications to be submitted later than the expiration date of the existing permit.

N. Effect of a permit. This permit does not convey any property rights in either real or personal property or any exclusive privileges, nor does it authorize any injury to private property or invasion of personal rights, or any infringement of federal, state, or local law or regulations.

O. State law. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action under, or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties established pursuant to any other state law or regulation or under authority preserved by § 510 of the federal Clean Water Act. Except as provided in permit conditions on bypassing (Part II U), and upset (Part II V), nothing in this permit shall be construed to relieve the permittee from civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.

P. Oil and hazardous substance liability. Nothing in this permit shall be construed to preclude the institution of any legal action or relieve the permittee from any responsibilities, liabilities, or penalties to which the permittee is or may be subject under §§ 62.1-44.34:14 through 62.1-44.34:23 of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

Q. Proper operation and maintenance. The permittee shall be responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of all treatment works, systems and controls which are installed or used to achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit. Proper operation and maintenance includes effective plant performance, adequate funding, adequate staffing, and adequate laboratory and process controls, including appropriate quality assurance procedures.

R. Disposal of solids or sludges. Solids, sludges, or other pollutants removed in the course of treatment or management of pollutants shall be disposed of in a manner so as to prevent any pollutant from such materials from entering state waters.

S. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to minimize or prevent any pollutant management activity in violation of this permit which has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting human health or the environment.

T. Need to halt or reduce activity not a defense. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the permitted activity in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of this permit.

U. Bypass.

1. Prohibition. "Bypass" means intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment works. A bypass of the treatment works is prohibited except as provided herein.

2. Anticipated bypass. If the permittee knows in advance of the need for a bypass, he shall notify the department promptly at least 10 days prior to the bypass. After considering its adverse effects, the board may approve an anticipated bypass if:

a. The bypass will be unavoidable to prevent loss of human life, personal injury, or severe property damage. "Severe property damage" means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities which that causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. "Severe property damage" does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production; and

b. There are no feasible alternatives to bypass such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated waste, or maintenance during normal periods of equipment downtime. However, if bypass occurs during normal periods of equipment downtime or preventive maintenance and in the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment the permittee could have installed adequate backup equipment to prevent such bypass, this exclusion shall not apply as a defense.

3. Unplanned bypass. If an unplanned bypass occurs, the permittee shall notify the department as soon as possible, but in no case later than 24 hours, and shall take steps to halt the bypass as early as possible. This notification will be a condition for defense to an enforcement action that an unplanned bypass met the conditions in paragraphs Part II U 2 a and b and in light of the information reasonably available to the permittee at the time of the bypass.

V. Upset. A permittee may claim an upset as an affirmative defense to an action brought for noncompliance. In any enforcement proceedings a permittee shall have the burden of proof to establish the occurrence of any upset. In order to establish an affirmative defense of upset, the permittee shall present properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs or other relevant evidence that shows:

1. That an upset occurred and that the cause can be identified;

2. That the permitted facility was at the time being operated efficiently and in compliance with proper operation and maintenance procedures;

3. That the 24-hour reporting requirements to the department were met; and

4. That the permittee took all reasonable steps to minimize or correct any adverse impact on state waters resulting from noncompliance with the permit.

W. Inspection and entry. Upon presentation of credentials, any duly authorized agent of the board may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances:

1. Enter upon any permittee's public or private property, public or private on which the pollutant management activities that are governed by this permit are located and have access to records required by this permit;

2. Have access to, inspect and copy any records that must be kept as part of permit conditions;

3. Inspect any facility's equipment (including monitoring and control equipment) practices or operations regulated or required under the permit; and

4. Sample or monitor any substances or parameters at any locations for the purpose of assuring permit compliance or as otherwise authorized by the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

For purposes of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours, and whenever the facility is involved in managing pollutants. Nothing contained herein shall make an inspection unreasonable during an emergency.

X. Permit actions. Permits may be modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated for cause upon the request of the permittee or interested persons, or upon the board's initiative. If a permittee files a request for a permit modification, revocation, or termination, or files a notification of planned changes, or anticipated noncompliance, the permit terms and conditions shall remain effective until the request is acted upon by the board. This provision shall not be used to extend the expiration date of the effective VPA permit.

Y. Transfer of permits.

1. Permits are not transferable to any person except after notice to the department. The board may require modification or revocation and reissuance of the permit to change the name of the permittee and to incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary. Except as provided in Part II Y 2, a permit may be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator only if the permit has been modified to reflect the transfer or has been revoked and reissued to the new owner or operator.

2. As an alternative to transfers under Part II Y 1, this permit shall be automatically transferred to a new permittee if:

a. The current permittee notifies the department within 30 days of the transfer of the title to the facility or property;

b. The notice includes a written agreement between the existing and new permittees containing a specific date for transfer of permit responsibility, coverage, and liability between them; and

c. The board does not, within the 30-day time period, notify the existing permittee and the proposed new permittee of its intent to modify or revoke and reissue the permit. If the board notice is not received, the transfer is effective on the date specified in the agreement mentioned in Part II Y 2 b.

Z. Severability. The provisions of this permit are severable and, if any provision of this permit or the application of any provision of this permit to any circumstance is held invalid, the application of such provision to other circumstances and the remainder of this permit shall not be affected thereby.

Part III
Pollutant Management and Monitoring Requirements for Poultry Waste End-Users and Poultry Brokers

A. Pollutant management authorization and monitoring requirements.

1. During the period beginning with the permittee's coverage under this general permit and lasting until the permit's expiration date, the permittee is authorized to manage pollutants at the location or locations identified in the registration statement and the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

2. If poultry waste is land applied on land under the permittee's operational control, it shall be applied at the rates specified in the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

3. Soil at the land application sites shall be monitored as specified below in the following table. Additional soils monitoring may be required in the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

4. Poultry waste shall be monitored as specified below in the following table. Additional waste monitoring may be required in the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

5. If waste from two or more poultry waste sources is commingled or stored then a sample that best represents the waste shall be used to calculate the nutrients available in the poultry waste for land application and shall be provided to the end-user of the waste.

6. Analysis of soil and waste shall be according to methods specified in the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

7. All monitoring data required by Part III A shall be maintained on site in accordance with Part II B. Reporting of results to the department is not required; however, the monitoring results shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

B. Other Site design, storage, and operation requirements or special conditions.

1. Poultry waste storage facilities shall be designed and operated to (i) prevent point source discharges of pollutants to state waters except in the case of a storm event greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm and (ii) provide adequate waste storage capacity to accommodate periods when the ground is ice covered, snow covered or saturated, periods when land application of nutrients should not occur due to limited or nonexistent crop nutrient uptake, and periods when physical limitations prohibit the land application of waste.

2. Poultry waste shall be stored according to the approved nutrient management plan and in a manner that prevents contact with surface water and ground water. Poultry waste that is stockpiled outside for more than 14 days shall be kept in a facility or at a site that provides adequate storage. Adequate storage shall, at a minimum, include the following:

a. Poultry waste shall be covered to protect it from precipitation and wind;

b. Storm water shall not run onto or under the stored poultry waste;

c. A minimum of two feet of separation distance to the seasonal high water table or an impermeable barrier shall be used under the stored poultry waste. All poultry waste storage facilities that use an impermeable barrier shall maintain a minimum of one foot of separation between the seasonal high water table and the impermeable barrier. "Seasonal high water table" means that portion of the soil profile where a color change has occurred in the soil as a result of saturated soil conditions or where soil concretions have formed. Typical colors are gray mottlings, solid gray, or black. The depth in the soil at which these conditions first occur is termed the seasonal high water table. Impermeable barriers must be constructed of at least 12 inches of compacted clay, at least four inches of reinforced concrete, or another material of similar structural integrity that has a minimum permeability rating of 0.0014 inches per hour (1X10^-6 centimeters per second); and

d. For poultry waste that is not stored under roof, the storage site must be at least:

(1) 100 feet from any surface water, intermittent drainage, wells, sinkholes, rock outcrops, and springs; and

(2) 200 feet from any occupied dwellings not on the permittee's property (unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the storage site).

3. Poultry waste storage facilities constructed after December 1, 2000, shall not be located within a 100-year floodplain unless there is no land available outside the floodplain on which to construct the facility and the facility is constructed so that the poultry waste is stored above the 100-year flood elevation or otherwise protected from floodwaters through the construction of berms or similar best management flood control structures. For the purposes of determining the 100-year floodplain, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), or a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) shall be used.

4. The permittee shall operate and manage the facility so that impervious surfaces such as concrete end pads or load-out pads and surrounding areas and ventilation outlets are kept clean of poultry waste.

5. When the poultry waste storage facility is no longer needed, the permittee shall close it in a manner that (i) minimizes the need for further maintenance and (ii) controls, minimizes, or eliminates, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the postclosure escape of uncontrolled leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the ground water, surface water, or the atmosphere. At closure, the permittee shall remove all poultry waste residue from the waste storage facility. At waste storage facilities without permanent covers and impermeable ground barriers, all residual poultry waste shall be removed from the surface below the stockpile when the poultry waste is taken out of storage. Removed waste materials shall be utilized according to the NMP.

C. Poultry waste transfer and utilization requirements.

4. 1. When a poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker receives, possesses, or has control over more than 10 tons of transferred poultry waste in any 365-day period, he shall provide the person from whom he received the poultry waste with:

a. The end-user or broker name, address, and permit number;

b. If the recipient of the poultry waste is an end-user, then he shall also provide the person from whom he received the poultry waste the following information:

(1) The locality in which the recipient intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city, county and zip code);

(2) The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site; and

c. Written acknowledgement of receipt of:

(1) The waste;

(2) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(3) The fact sheet.

If the person receiving the waste is a poultry waste broker, then he shall also certify in writing that he will provide a copy of the nutrient analysis and fact sheet to each end user to whom he transfers poultry waste.

5. 2. When a poultry waste broker transfers or hauls poultry waste to other persons, he shall provide the person who received the poultry waste with:

a. Broker name, address, and permit number;

b. The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

c. A fact sheet.

6. 3. When a poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker is a recipient of more than 10 tons of transferred poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall keep a record regarding the transferred poultry waste:

a. The following items shall be recorded regarding the source of the transferred poultry waste:

(1) The source name and address;

(2) The amount of poultry waste received from the source; and

(3) The date the poultry waste was acquired.

b. The following items shall be recorded regarding the recipient of the transferred poultry waste:

(1) The recipient name and address;

(2) The amount of poultry waste received by the person;

(3) The date of the transaction;

(4) The nutrient content of the waste;

(5) The locality in which the recipient intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city, county, and zip code);

(6) The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site; and

(7) The signed waste transfer records form acknowledging the receipt of the following:

(a) The waste;

(b) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(c) A fact sheet.

7. 4. End-users or brokers shall maintain the records required by Part III B 6 Part III C 3 for at least three years after the transaction and make them available to department personnel upon request.

5. Transfer records reporting requirements. The end-users and brokers shall submit the records required by Part III C 3 in accordance with the timing outlined in Part III C 5 a and 5 b.

a. Beginning (insert the date one year after the effective date of this permit), upon request by the department, the end-users and brokers shall submit the records in a format and method determined by the department.

b. Beginning (insert the date two years after the effective date of this permit), the end-users and brokers shall submit to the department, annually, the records for the preceding state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) no later than September 15.

8. 6. If poultry waste is also generated by this facility it shall not be applied to fields owned by or under the operational control of either the permittee or a legal entity in which the permittee has an ownership interest unless the fields are included in the permittee's approved nutrient management plan.

9. Poultry feeding operations that use disposal pits for routine disposal of daily mortalities shall not be covered under this general permit. The use of a disposal pit for routine disposal of daily poultry mortalities by a permittee shall be a violation of this permit. This prohibition does not apply to the emergency disposal of dead poultry done according to regulations adopted pursuant to § 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia or Chapter 14 (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

10. 7. The permittee shall implement a nutrient management plan (NMP) developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia and approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and maintain the plan on site. The terms of the NMP shall be enforceable through this permit. The NMP shall contain at a minimum the following information:

a. Site map indicating the location of the waste storage facilities and the fields where waste will be applied by the permittee. The location of fields as identified in Part III B 8 Part III C 6 shall also be included;

b. Site evaluation and assessment of soil types and potential productivities;

c. Nutrient management sampling including soil and waste monitoring;

d. Storage and land area requirements for the permittee's poultry waste management activities;

e. Calculation of waste application rates; and

f. Waste application schedules.

11. When the poultry waste storage facility is no longer needed, the permittee shall close it in a manner that: (i) minimizes the need for further maintenance and (ii) controls, minimizes, or eliminates, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the postclosure escape of uncontrolled leachate, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the ground water, surface water, or the atmosphere. At closure, the permittee shall remove all poultry waste residue from the waste storage facility. At waste storage facilities without permanent covers and impermeable ground barriers, all residual poultry waste shall be removed from the surface below the stockpile when the poultry waste is taken out of storage. Removed waste materials shall be utilized according to the NMP.

12. 8. Nitrogen application rates contained in the NMP shall be established in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 A 2 4VAC50-85-140 A 2. The application of poultry waste shall be managed to minimize runoff, leachate, and volatilization losses, and reduce adverse water quality impacts from nitrogen.

13. 9. Phosphorus application rates contained in the NMP shall be established in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 A 2 4VAC50-85-140 A 2. The application of poultry waste shall be managed to minimize runoff and leaching and reduce adverse water quality impacts from phosphorous.

14. 10. The timing of land application of poultry waste shall be according to the schedule contained in the NMP, except that no waste may be applied to ice covered or snow covered ground or to soils that are saturated. Poultry waste may be applied to frozen ground within the NMP scheduled times only under the following conditions:

a. Slopes are not greater than 6.0%;

b. A minimum of a 200-foot vegetative or adequate crop residue buffer is maintained between the application area and all surface water courses;

c. Only those soils characterized by USDA as "well drained" with good infiltration are used; and

d. At least 60% uniform cover by vegetation or crop residue is present in order to reduce surface runoff and the potential for leaching of nutrients to ground water.

11. In cases where poultry waste storage is threatened by emergencies such as fire or flood or where these conditions are imminent, poultry waste can be land applied outside of the spreading schedule outlined in the permittee's NMP. If this occurs, the permittee shall document the land application information in accordance with Part III C 13 and notify the department in accordance with Part II H.

15. 12. Poultry waste shall not be land applied within buffer zones. Buffer zones at waste application sites shall, at a minimum, be maintained as follows:

a. Distance from occupied dwellings not on the permittee's property: 200 feet (unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the buffer zone);

b. Distance from water supply wells or springs: 100 feet;

c. Distance from surface water courses: 100 feet (without a permanent vegetated buffer) or 35 feet (if a permanent vegetated buffer exists). Other site-specific conservation practices may be approved by the department that will provide pollutant reductions equivalent or better than the reductions that would be achieved by the 100-foot buffer;

d. Distance from rock outcropping (except limestone): 25 feet;

e. Distance from limestone outcroppings: 50 feet; and

f. Waste shall not be applied in such a manner that it would discharge to sinkholes that may exist in the area.

16. 13. The following records shall be maintained:

a. The identification of the land application field sites where the waste is utilized or stored;

b. The application rate;

c. The application dates; and

d. What crops have been planted.

These records shall be maintained on site for a period of three years after recorded application is made and shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

D. Other special conditions.

17. 1. Each poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker covered by this general permit shall complete a training program offered or approved by the department within one year of filing the registration statement for general permit coverage. All permitted poultry waste end-users or permitted poultry waste brokers shall complete a training program at least once every five years.

2. Poultry feeding operations that use disposal pits for routine disposal of daily mortalities shall not be covered under this general permit. The use of a disposal pit for routine disposal of daily poultry mortalities by a permittee shall be a violation of this permit. This prohibition does not apply to the emergency disposal of dead poultry done according to regulations adopted pursuant to § 3.2-6002 of the Code of Virginia or Chapter 14 (§ 10.1-1400 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

9VAC25-630-60. Tracking and accounting requirements for poultry waste brokers.

A. Poultry waste brokers shall register with the department by providing their name and address on a form approved provided by the department prior to transferring poultry waste.

B. When a poultry waste broker transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry waste broker shall provide information regarding the transfer of poultry waste to both the source and recipient of the waste.

1. The broker name and address shall be provided to the source of the transferred poultry waste:

2. The following items shall be provided to the recipient of the transferred poultry waste:

a. The broker name and address;

b. The most recent nutrient analysis of the poultry waste; and

c. A fact sheet.

C. When a poultry waste broker transfers to another person more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the poultry waste broker shall keep records regarding the transferred poultry waste.

1. The following items shall be recorded regarding the source of the transferred poultry waste:

a. The source name and address;

b. The amount of the poultry waste received from the source; and

c. The date the poultry waste was acquired.

2. The following items shall be recorded regarding the recipient of the transferred poultry waste:

a. The recipient name and address;

b. The amount of poultry waste received by the person;

c. The date of the transaction;

d. The nutrient content of the waste;

e. The locality in which the recipient intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city, county, and zip code);

f. The name of the stream of or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site; and

g. The signed waste transfer records form acknowledging the receipt of the following:

(1) The waste;

(2) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(3) A fact sheet.

D. Poultry waste brokers shall submit copies of the records required by subsection C of this section, to the department annually using a form approved in a format and method determined by the department. Records for the preceding calendar state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) shall be submitted to the department not no later than February 15 September 15. Poultry waste brokers shall maintain the records required by subsection subsections C and E of this section for at least three years and make them available to department personnel upon request.

E. If waste from two or more poultry waste sources is commingled or stored then a sample that best represents the waste shall be used to calculate the nutrients available in the poultry waste for land application and shall be provided to the end-user of the waste. The original sources of the waste shall also be recorded and provided to the department with the annual transfer records submittal.

F. If the poultry waste broker land applies the poultry waste for the end-user then the broker shall provide the end-user with the records regarding land application as required by 9VAC25-630-70.

G. Poultry waste brokers shall complete a training program offered or approved by the department within one year of registering with the department. Poultry waste brokers shall complete a training program at least once every five years.

H. Any duly authorized agent of the board may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the provisions of this regulation.

9VAC25-630-70. Tracking and accounting requirements for poultry waste end-users.

A. When a poultry waste end-user is the recipient of more than 10 tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period, the end-user shall maintain records regarding the transfer and land application of poultry waste.

1. The poultry waste end-user shall provide the permitted poultry grower or poultry waste broker with the following items:

a. End-user name and address;

b. The locality in which the end-user intends to utilize the waste (i.e., nearest town or city, county, and zip code);

c. The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the end-user that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site; and

d. Written acknowledgement of receipt of:

(1) The waste;

(2) The nutrient analysis of the waste; and

(3) A fact sheet.

2. The poultry waste end-user shall record the following items regarding the waste transfer:

a. The source name, address, and permit number (if applicable);

b. The amount of poultry waste that was received;

c. The date of the transaction;

d. The final use of the poultry waste;

e. The locality in which the waste was utilized (i.e., nearest town or city, county, and zip code); and

f. The name of the stream or waterbody if known to the recipient that is nearest to the waste utilization or storage site.

Records regarding poultry waste transfers End-users shall be maintained maintain the records required by subdivisions A 1 and A 2 of this section on site for a period of three years after the transaction. All records shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

3. If waste is land applied, the poultry waste end-user shall keep a record of the following items regarding the land application of the waste:

a. The nutrient analysis of the waste;

b. Maps indicating the poultry waste land application fields and storage sites;

c. The land application rate;

d. The land application dates;

e. What crops were planted;

f. Soil test results, if obtained;

g. NMP, if applicable; and

h. The method used to determine the land application rates (i.e., phosphorus crop removal, standard rate, soil test recommendations, or a nutrient management plan).

Records regarding land application of poultry waste End-users shall be maintained maintain the records required by this subdivision 3 on site for a period of three years after the recorded application is made. All records shall be made available to department personnel upon request.

4. Reporting requirements. End-users shall submit the records required by subdivisions A 1, A 2, and A 3 of this section in accordance with the timing outlined in subdivisions 4 a and 4 b of this subsection.

a. Beginning (insert the date one year after the effective date of this regulation) and continuing through (insert the date two years after the effective date of this regulation), upon request by the department, the end-user shall submit the records in a format and method determined by the department; and

b. Beginning (insert the date three years after the effective date of this regulation), the end-user shall submit to the department, annually, the records for the preceding state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) no later than September 15.

B. Any duly authorized agent of the board may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the provisions of this regulation.

9VAC25-630-80. Utilization and storage requirements for transferred poultry waste.

A. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who receives poultry waste shall comply with the requirements outlined in the following sections.

B. Storage requirements. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who receives poultry waste shall comply with the requirements outlined in this section regarding storage of poultry waste in their possession or under their control.

1. Poultry waste shall be stored in a manner that prevents contact with surface water and ground water. Poultry waste that is stockpiled outside for more than 14 days shall be kept in a facility or at a site that provides adequate storage. Adequate storage shall, at a minimum, include the following:

a. Poultry waste shall be covered to protect it from precipitation and wind;

b. Storm water shall not run onto or under the stored poultry waste;

c. A minimum of two feet of separation distance to the seasonal high water table or an impermeable barrier shall be used under the stored poultry waste. All poultry waste storage facilities that use an impermeable barrier shall maintain a minimum of one foot of separation between the seasonal high water table and the impermeable barrier. "Seasonal high water table" means that portion of the soil profile where a color change has occurred in the soil as a result of saturated soil conditions or where soil concretions have formed. Typical colors are gray mottlings, solid gray, or black. The depth in the soil at which these conditions first occur is termed the seasonal high water table. Impermeable barriers shall be constructed of at least 12 inches of compacted clay, at least four inches of reinforced concrete, or another material of similar structural integrity that has a minimum permeability rating of 0.0014 inches per hour (1X10^-6 centimeters per second); and

d. For poultry waste that is not stored under roof, the storage site must be at least:

(1) 100 feet from any surface water, intermittent drainage, wells, sinkholes, rock outcrops, and springs; and

(2) 200 feet from any occupied dwellings not on the end-user's or broker's property, unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the storage site.

2. Poultry waste storage facilities constructed after December 1, 2000, shall not be located within a 100-year floodplain unless there is no land available outside the floodplain on which to construct the facility and the facility is constructed so that the poultry waste is stored above the 100-year flood elevation or otherwise protected from floodwaters through the construction of berms or similar best management flood control structures. For the purposes of determining the 100-year floodplain, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), or a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) shall be used.

C. Land application requirements. Any poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker who (i) receives five 10 or more tons of poultry waste in any 365-day period and (ii) land applies poultry waste shall follow appropriate land application requirements as outlined in this section. The application of poultry waste shall be managed to minimize adverse water quality impacts.

1. The maximum application rates can be established by the following methods:

a. Phosphorus crop removal application rates can be used when:

(1) Soil test phosphorus levels do not exceed the values listed in the following table below:

(2) The phosphorus crop removal application rates are set forth by regulations promulgated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia.

b. Poultry waste may be applied to any crop at the standard rate of 1.5 tons per acre once every three years when:

(1) In the absence of current soil sample analyses and recommendations; and

(2) Nutrients have not been supplied by an organic source, other than pastured animals, to the proposed land application sites within the previous three years of the proposed land application date of poultry waste.

c. Soil test recommendations can be used when:

(1) Accompanied by analysis results for soil tests that have been obtained from the proposed field or fields in the last three years;

(2) The analytical results are from procedures in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 4VAC50-85-140 A 2 f; and

(3) Nutrients from the waste application do not exceed the nitrogen or phosphorus recommendations for the proposed crop or double crops. The recommendations shall be in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 4VAC50-85-140 A 2 a.

d. A nutrient management plan developed by a certified nutrient management planner in accordance with § 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia.

2. The timing of land application of poultry waste shall be appropriate for the crop, and in accordance with 4VAC5-15-150 4VAC50-85-140 A 4, except that no waste may be applied to ice covered or snow covered ground or to soils that are saturated. Poultry waste may be applied to frozen ground under the following conditions:

a. Slopes are not greater than 6.0%;

b. A minimum of a 200-foot vegetative or adequate crop residue buffer is maintained between the application area and all surface water courses;

c. Only those soils characterized by USDA as "well drained" with good infiltration are used; and

d. At least 60% uniform cover by vegetation or crop residue is present in order to reduce surface runoff and the potential for leaching of nutrients to ground water.

3. Poultry waste shall not be land applied within buffer zones. Buffer zones at waste application sites shall, at a minimum, be maintained as follows:

a. Distance from occupied dwellings: 200 feet (unless the occupant of the dwelling signs a waiver of the buffer zone);

b. Distance from water supply wells or springs: 100 feet;

c. Distance from surface water courses: 100 feet (without a permanent vegetated buffer) or 35 feet (if a permanent vegetated buffer exists). Other site-specific conservation practices may be approved by the department that will provide pollutant reductions equivalent or better than the reductions that would be achieved by the 100-foot buffer;

d. Distance from rock outcropping (except limestone): 25 feet;

e. Distance from limestone outcroppings: 50 feet; and

f. Waste shall not be applied in such a manner that it would discharge to sinkholes that may exist in the area.

4. In cases where poultry waste storage is threatened by emergencies such as fire or flood or where these conditions are imminent, poultry waste can be land applied outside of the spreading schedule outlined in the Fact Sheet. If this occurs, the end-user or broker shall document the land application information in accordance with 9VAC25-630-70 A 3.

D. Poultry waste end-users and poultry waste brokers shall maintain the records demonstrating compliance with the requirements of subsections B and C for at least three years and make them available to department personnel upon request.

E. The activities of the poultry waste end-user or poultry waste broker shall not contravene the Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260), as amended and adopted and amended by the board, or any provision of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

F. Any duly authorized agent of the board may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the provisions of this regulation.

9VAC25-630-90. Commercial poultry processor activities.

A. Any commercial poultry processor who contracts with a poultry grower shall comply with the requirements outlined in this section.

B. For the purpose of this section, the commercial poultry processor's hired staff, contract or company employed haulers, poultry catching crews, and feed truck operators are also considered the commercial poultry processor.

C. A commercial poultry processor that conducts typical farming activities on the contract poultry grower's farm shall be responsible for cleaning up after such farming activities.

1. Typical farming activities include the following:

a. Releasing poultry into the poultry growing houses;

b. Catching poultry for transport; and

c. Filling feed bins.

2. Typical farming activities do not include the routine washing of trucks owned, operated, or contracted by the commercial poultry processor.

3. The introduction of water into the process of the typical farming activities is prohibited, except in the following cases:

a. When used for cooling the birds during the releasing and catching process; and

b. When there is a disease outbreak or poultry health risk that requires clean up and disinfection of the vehicles and catching equipment prior to entering and leaving the farm.

When water is introduced into the process, it should be done in a manner that does not produce process wastewater.

D. The commercial poultry processor shall clean up and properly dispose of, in a prompt and efficient manner, any of the following materials that have been deposited or released by the commercial poultry processor:

1. Poultry waste;

2. Feed; and

3. Hydraulic fluids, fuels, and oils used in machinery.

E. Farming activities such as those listed in subsection C of this section shall be conducted on impervious surfaces, where available, to facilitate the cleanup efforts.

F. The commercial poultry processor shall submit an operation and maintenance manual that outlines proper procedures to be used by the commercial poultry processor while commencing with typical farming activities, as listed in subsection C of this section, on the contract grower's farm.

1. The manual shall at a minimum cover the following items:

a. The processor's procedures to carry out the typical farming activities;

b. Proper clean up and disposal of materials deposited or released during such activities; and

c. Any additional information to ensure compliance with this section or determined to be relevant by the department.

2. The manual shall be submitted to the department for approval by (insert date 60 days after the effective date of this section).

3. Subsequent revisions to the manual shall be submitted to the department for approval 30 days prior to making changes to the procedures outlined in the manual.

4. An individual commercial poultry processor may submit one manual to cover multiple processing plants or complexes, where all procedures used are identical.

G. The activities of the commercial poultry processor shall not contravene the Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260), as adopted and amended by the board, or any provision of the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

H. Any duly authorized agent of the board may, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, enter any establishment or upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigations necessary in the enforcement of the provisions of this regulation.

FORMS (9VAC25-630)

Virginia DEQ Registration Statement for VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management for Poultry Growers, RS VPG2 (rev. 07/10)

Virginia DEQ Registration Statement for VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management for Poultry Waste End-Users and Poultry Waste Brokers, RS End Users/Brokers VPG2 (rev. 07/10)

Fact Sheet, Requirements for Poultry Litter Use and Storage (rev. 12/10)

Virginia DEQ Registration Statement for VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management for Poultry Growers, RS VPG2 (eff. 12/2020)

Virginia DEQ Registration Statement for VPA General Permit for Poultry Waste Management for Poultry Waste End-Users and Poultry Waste Brokers, RS End Users/Brokers VPG2 (eff. 12/2020)

Fact Sheet, Requirements for Poultry Litter Use and Storage (eff. 12/2020)