Maine § 4205. - Livestock operations permit

§ 4205.. Livestock operations permit

1.  Operations requiring a livestock operations permit.  Beginning on January 1, 2000, a permit issued by the commissioner pursuant to subsection 2 is required for an animal feeding operation that meets one or more of the following criteria:

A. The operation is a concentrated animal feeding operation as defined by rules adopted pursuant to this section;   [PL 1997, c. 642, §2 (NEW).]

B. The operation confines and feeds 300 or more animal units and prior to April 15, 1998 the operation did not confine and feed 300 or more animal units; or   [PL 1997, c. 642, §2 (NEW).]

C. Proposes an expansion beyond the operation's manure storage capacity or land base used for spreading.   [PL 1997, c. 642, §2 (NEW).]

2.  Criteria for issuing permits; rulemaking.  An applicant for a permit required under this section must submit to the commissioner a nutrient management plan that meets the requirements established pursuant to section 4204. A nutrient management plan submitted in accordance with this subsection is confidential and is not a public record as defined in Title 1, section 402, subsection 3. Prior to issuing a permit, the commissioner or a designee of the commissioner shall inspect the operation and determine that the operation is in compliance with the nutrient management plan. The commissioner may issue a provisional permit in accordance with subsection 3. The commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375 to establish a process for application review and issuing permits required under this section. The rules may establish permit application fees, inspection requirements and procedures for review by the board of permitting decisions. Rules initially adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A. After July 1, 1999, rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.

3.  Provisional permit.  The commissioner may issue a provisional permit to an operation that is not in compliance with the farm's nutrient management plan at the time of inspection. In issuing a provisional permit, the commissioner shall consider existing nutrient management practices on the farm, the protection of groundwater and surface water, the cost of implementing the plan and the availability of financial assistance to implement the plan. A provisional permit must state the date by which the farm must be in compliance with the plan and may not be issued for a period of more than one year. Upon inspection and determination of compliance, the commissioner shall issue a permit in accordance with subsection 2 and the provisional permit expires. The commissioner shall adopt rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375 to establish a process for application review and issuing of provisional permits. Rules adopted in accordance with this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.

4.  Violation.  The following are civil violations for which a fine of up to $1,000 plus up to an additional $250 per day for each day that the violation continues may be adjudged:

A. Failure to obtain a livestock operations permit in accordance with this section; and   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. B, §27 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

B. Failure to comply with the conditions set forth in a livestock operations permit or a variance.   [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. B, §27 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]