EPA to Defend Pollution Permit for Idaho CAFOs in Ninth Circuit

The Environmental Protection Agency will defend its water pollution permit for Idaho concentrated animal feeding operations Thursday when the Ninth Circuit hears oral arguments in a suit by conservation groups who say the CAFOs lack adequate pollution monitoring.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the EPA prevents the identification and reporting of illegal discharges of pollution that threaten ecosystems and human health, according to Food & Water Watch Inc. and Snake River Waterkeeper Inc.

The Idaho CAFO permittees are required to limit pollution releases from manure-related land application areas and eliminate releases from production areas, but the ...