The University of Illinois EZRegs Web site has been updated to include new information on key agricultural environmental regulations.
The Web site located at www.ezregs.illinois.edu identifies environmental regulations that pertain to a variety of enterprises including livestock production, crop production and small-scale animal facilities.
“Finding information on state and federal environmental regulations can often be difficult and confusing,” says Ted Funk, U of I Extension agricultural engineer. “This Web site allows users to access frequently asked questions related to their interest area to find out what regulations may impact them and how. They can read the actual regulation and in many cases an interpretation of the regulation.
“Whether a person is a livestock producer wanting to know about manure application regulations or a nursery owner wanting to dispose of unwanted pesticides, they can access the EZRegs Web site to find out which regulations are most stringent and what they need to do to be in compliance,” he says.
New information added to the site includes Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recording requirements regarding continuous air emissions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from livestock facilities. The regulations cover the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
“In Illinois, large livestock operations must complete the appropriate forms and provide them to the state emergency management agency as well as their local emergency planning committee, Funk says. “There is no cost for compliance other than the time it takes to fill out the forms, but there could be a high cost to your operation if you ignore the EPCRA regulation requirements.”
The Web site also has new information on the EPA regulation on oil spill prevention and control and the program requiring farmers to have an oil spill prevention plan.
“If an agricultural operation has a big fuel tank that springs a leak and there’s a possibility of it getting into surface waters, a plan needs to be in place,” Funk says. “Facilities becoming subject to this regulation requirement must be in compliance by Nov. 10. We are trying to get the word out to farmers.”
Financial support for the EZ Regs Web site has been provided by the Illinois Pork Producers Association, Pork Checkoff and the EPA.