Texas Administrative Code
Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 321 - CONTROL OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES BY RULE
Subchapter B - CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS
Section 321.33 - Applicability and Required Authorizations

Universal Citation: 30 TX Admin Code § 321.33

Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025

(a) Permit required. All concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are point sources that require owners and operators to seek and obtain authorization under a water quality general permit or individual permit, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section. CAFO owners and operators have a duty to seek coverage as described in this section.

(b) Individual permit required. A discharge from the following CAFOs may be authorized only under an individual water quality permit in accordance with § 321.34 of this title (relating to Permit Applications). Except as provided by subsection (f) of this section, any operator who is required to obtain an individual water quality permit under this subsection may not commence physical construction and/or operation of any new control facilities until an individual water quality permit is issued for that CAFO, or unless otherwise authorized by the commission in accordance with Texas Water Code (TWC), §26.027(c).

(1) Any CAFO located within one mile of coastal natural resource areas as defined by Texas Natural Resources Code, § 33.203, unless the CAFO was authorized by the commission prior to January 10, 1997.

(2) Any dairy CAFO located in a major sole-source impairment zone.

(3) Any CAFO where, on the date the executive director determines that the application is administratively complete, any part of the production area of the CAFO is located or adopted to be located within the protection zone of a sole-source surface drinking water supply, in accordance with TWC, §26.0286. This paragraph does not apply to a poultry operation that does not use a liquid manure handling system, which is commonly referred to as a dry litter poultry operation.

(4) Any CAFO where any part of the production area or land management units is located in a watershed of a segment listed on the current United States Environmental Protection Agency-approved §303(d) list of impaired water bodies, as required by 33 United States Code (USC), §1313(d), and where a total maximum daily load implementation plan has been adopted by the commission that established additional water quality protection measures for CAFOs that are not required by the CAFO general permit.

(5) Any animal feeding operation (AFO) that the executive director designates and requires to be authorized by an individual water quality permit to achieve the policies and purposes enumerated in TWC, §5.120 and §26.003; Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 341, 361, or 382; or § 321.31 of this title (relating to Manure, Litter, and Wastewater Discharge and Air Emission Limitations). Cases where the executive director may require an AFO to obtain an individual water quality permit include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) the operation is located near surface or groundwater resources;

(B) compliance with standards in addition to those listed in this subchapter is necessary in order to protect water in the state from pollution;

(C) the operation is not or has not been in substantial compliance with the standards of this subchapter;

(D) the operation is under a formal commission enforcement order or has been referred to the commission for enforcement action by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board;

(E) the operation does not qualify for a CAFO general permit under § 205.4 of this title (relating to Authorizations and Notices of Intent);

(F) the production area or land management unit of any new CAFO is located in a watershed of a segment listed on the current §303(d) list of impaired water bodies for bacteria, nutrients, and/or pathogens as required by 33 USC, §1313(d); or

(G) the executive director determines that an individual water quality permit is appropriate considering other pertinent factors.

(c) Individual permit or general permit required. A discharge from any other CAFO shall be authorized either by an individual water quality permit or an applicable CAFO general permit. Except as provided by subsection (f) of this section, any operator required to obtain an individual water quality permit or authorization under a CAFO general permit according to this subsection may not begin physical construction or operation of any new control facility until the CAFO operator receives an individual water quality permit or authorization under a CAFO general permit, unless otherwise authorized by the commission under TWC, §26.027(c).

(d) New or expanding AFO. No person may commence construction or operation of a new CAFO or alter any existing AFO such that it becomes defined as a CAFO without prior authorization through an individual water quality permit or a CAFO general permit, unless otherwise authorized by the commission under TWC, §26.027(c). This subsection does not apply to dry litter poultry operations specified in subsection (f) of this section.

(e) Newly defined CAFO. An existing AFO that becomes classified as a CAFO may not begin physical construction or operation of any new control facility until the CAFO operator receives authorization through an individual water quality permit or a CAFO general permit, unless otherwise authorized by the commission under TWC, §26.027(c).

(f) Dry litter poultry operations. A dry litter poultry CAFO shall only be required to obtain authorization by an individual water quality permit or a CAFO general permit in accordance with subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section if it proposes to discharge or the executive director determines that a permit is necessary due to an unauthorized discharge; the operation's failure to comply with, or timely obtain, a certified water quality management plan approved by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board; or other pertinent factors. Any dry litter poultry CAFO is authorized to be constructed and operated if the operation has a certified water quality management plan approved by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board or is otherwise in compliance with the plan implementation schedule set forth in the notes following codified TWC, §26.302.

(g) Expansion or modification requirements. A CAFO operator authorized under an individual water quality permit shall comply with § 305.62 of this title (relating to Amendments). Before the permittee begins physical construction or operation of any new control facility, the operator must obtain commission authorization. Changes for which an individual permit amendment is required include, but are not limited to:

(1) increasing the maximum number of animals authorized for confinement;

(2) increasing the wastewater storage volume;

(3) adding land management units or increasing application acreage; and

(4) using a crop or yield goal to determine maximum application rates for manure, sludge, or wastewater that is not authorized by the permit or authorization.

(h) AFOs that are not defined or designated as CAFOs. Discharges of manure, sludge, or wastewater from an AFO that is not a CAFO as defined in this subchapter are authorized under this subchapter. Requirements applicable to these AFOs are described in § 321.47 of this title (relating to Requirements for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) Not Defined or Designated As Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)).

(i) Edwards Aquifer. New CAFOs are prohibited within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.

(j) Permit term. Individual and general permits issued under this subchapter shall be effective for a term not to exceed five years from the date the permit is issued.

(k) Dual authorization. No person may concurrently hold both an individual water quality permit and authorization under a CAFO general permit for the same CAFO.

(l) Additional requirements. Authorization under this subchapter, a general permit, or an individual permit does not release the operator from any responsibilities or requirements under other federal, state, or local statutes or regulations.

(m) State-only authorizations. Any AFO that is a state-only CAFO shall be authorized in accordance with subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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