Economic and Environmental Benefits Analysis of the Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Industry Point Source Category - U S Environmental Protection Agency - Bog

On June 30 2004, a new rule was establishing effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) for concentrated aquatic animal production (CAAP), or aquaculture, facilities was finalized. The regulation will apply to CAAP facilities that generate wastewater from their operations and discharge that wastewater directly into waters of the United States. The CAAP ELGs will help reduce discharges of conventional pollutants, primarily total suspended solids. The regulation will also help reduce non-conventional pollutants such as nutrients. To a lesser extent, the regulation will reduce the discharge of drugs that are used to manage fish health and chemicals, such as those used to clean fish tanks and nets. The final rule applies to existing and new CAAP facilities with the following characteristics: Use flow-through, recirculating, or net pen systems, Directly discharge wastewater, Produce at least 100,000 pounds of fish a year. When the rule is fully implemented, discharges of total suspended solids will be reduced by more than 500,000 pounds a year and biochemical oxygen demand and nutrients will be reduced by about 300,000 pounds per year. The Clean Water Act directs us to review effluent guidelines and to set schedules for new and revised effluent guidelines. This effects newly permitted facilities, and existing facilities upon renewal of their (CAAP) permits. In January 1992, we agreed to a settlement with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and others in a consent decree that established a schedule by which we would consider regulations for 19 industrial categories. We selected the (CAAP) industry for one of those rules. Issuance of this rule completes all regulations addressed under the settlement agreement.