TITLE 327 WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is soliciting public comment on new rules to 327 IAC 19 concerning satellite manure storage structures. IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 327 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

The 2011 Indiana General Assembly passed legislation requiring that a person receive approval from IDEM prior to constructing or expanding the capacity of a satellite manure storage structure. The new law at IC 13-18-10.5 also establishes the authority for the Environmental Rules Board to adopt rules regarding construction, operation, and maintenance of these structures. Prior to July 1, 2011, satellite manure storage structures were unregulated in Indiana.

A satellite manure storage structure is a building, lagoon, pad, pit, pond, or tank that is not located at a livestock or poultry production area and is designed to store at least 1,000,000 gallons of manure or 5,000 cubic yards of manure (IC 13-11-2-196.2). Recent changes in manure handling equipment and the value of manure as fertilizer have spurred interest in constructing large manure storage structures in locations closer to fields that are targeted for manure applications and in locations easily accessible to multiple sources of manure.

Indiana has regulated manure storage structures at large animal feeding operations since 1971. Under the confined feeding operation program, manure storage structures are required to meet certain standards regarding construction, operation, and maintenance to minimize leaks and seepage and prevent releases or spills of manure.

Satellite manure storage structures must be structurally sound and watertight to contain the large volume of manure to be stored. Improperly designed, constructed, or maintained structures can pose a threat to water quality and human health through spills or excessive seepage of manure that can enter underlying aquifers or surface water and contaminate drinking water supplies or destroy aquatic life. Assuring that satellite manure storage structures are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent any harm to surface or groundwater quality will reduce the potential of any harm to human health via impaired water quality.

In this rulemaking, IDEM is proposing to add requirements for satellite manure storage structures similar to those currently established for manure storage structures at confined feeding operations in 327 IAC 19 to protect human health and water quality. IDEM seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 327 that may be affected by this rulemaking.

Alternative 1. Developing requirements for satellite manure storage structures.

Alternative 2. Not doing the rulemaking.

There are no applicable federal laws.

Potential Fiscal Impact of Alternative 1. This rule would not impose any fiscal impact not already imposed through the authorizing legislation, IC 13-18-10.5. Clear design and construction requirements that are consistent with requirements for existing manure storage structures located at confined feeding operations will streamline the construction approval process and reduce related regulatory expenses without imposing any additional costs above and beyond similar structures already in operation. Prudent construction, operation, and maintenance requirements will significantly reduce the risk of releases to the environment, which will help owners of satellite manure storage structures avoid the substantial costs of remediating a release and compensating neighbors for damages.

Potential Fiscal Impact of Alternative 2. No fiscal impact would be imposed; however, the opportunity to ease the fiscal impact of the construction approval process through rules that provide clear and consistent requirements for satellite manure storage structures will not be realized. This alternative also leaves operation and maintenance of these structures unaddressed and the risk of costly releases unmitigated.

IDEM established a compliance and technical assistance (CTAP) program under IC 13-28-3. The program provides assistance to small businesses and information regarding compliance with environmental regulations. In accordance with IC 13-28-3 and IC 13-28-5, there is a small business assistance program ombudsman to provide a point of contact for small businesses affected by environmental regulations. Information on the CTAP program, the monthly CTAP newsletter, and other resources available can be found at:

For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, small businesses affected by this rulemaking may contact the Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:

Jessica Faust-Hamblin

IDEM Small Business Regulatory Coordinator

MC 60-04 IGCS W041

100 North Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

(317) 232-8172 or (800) 988-7901

ctap@idem.in.gov

For purposes of IC 4-22-2-28.1, the Small Business Ombudsman designated by IC 5-28-17-5 is:

Eric P. Shields

Indiana Economic Development Corporation

One North Capitol, Suite 700

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 234-3997

smallbizombudsman@iedc.in.gov

Resources available to regulated entities through the small business ombudsman include the ombudsman's duties stated in IC 5-28-17-5, specifically IC 5-28-17-5(9), investigating and attempting to resolve any matter regarding compliance by a small business with a law, rule, or policy administered by a state agency, either as a party to a proceeding or as a mediator.

The Small Business Assistance Program Ombudsman is:

Brad Baughn

IDEM Small Business Assistance Program Ombudsman

MC 50-01 IGCN 1301

100 North Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

(317) 234-3386 or (800) 451-6027

bbaughn@idem.in.gov

At this time, no work group is planned for the rulemaking. If you feel that a work group or other informal discussion on the rule is appropriate, please contact Lauren Aguilar, Rule Development Branch, Office of Legal Counsel at (317) 234-8559 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana).

At this time, IDEM solicits the following:

(1) The submission of alternative ways to achieve the purpose of the rule.

(2) The submission of suggestions for the development of draft rule language.

Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways:

(1) By mail or common carrier to the following address:

LSA Document #13-245 Satellite Manure Storage Structures

Lauren Aguilar

Rule Development Branch

Office of Legal Counsel

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Indiana Government Center North

100 North Senate Avenue

Mail Code 65-46

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

(2) By facsimile to (317) 233-5970. Please confirm the timely receipt of faxed comments by calling the Rule Development Branch at (317) 233-8903.

(3) By electronic mail to laguilar@idem.in.gov. To confirm timely delivery of submitted comments, please request a document receipt when sending the electronic mail. PLEASE NOTE: Electronic mail comments will NOT be considered part of the official written comment period unless they are sent to the e-mail address indicated in this notice.

(4) Hand delivered to the receptionist on duty at the thirteenth floor reception desk, Office of Legal Counsel, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Regardless of the delivery method used, in order to properly identify each comment with the rulemaking action it is intended to address, each comment document must clearly specify the LSA document number of the rulemaking.

All comments must be postmarked, faxed, or time stamped not later than July 26, 2013. Hand-delivered comments must be delivered to the appropriate office by 4:45 p.m. on the above-listed deadline date.

Additional information regarding this action may be obtained from Lauren Aguilar, Rule Development Branch, Office of Legal Counsel (317) 234-8559 or (800) 451-6027 (in Indiana).

Nancy King, Chief

Rule Development Branch

Office of Legal Counsel

DIN: 20130626-IR-327130245FNA

Composed: Apr 25,2024 3:53:38AM EDT

A PDF version of this document.