Compliance Guide for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Point Source Category

292 Pages·2006·5.53 MB·English

Compliance Guide for the
Concentrated Aquatic Animal
Production Point Source Category
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC 20460
(4303T)
EPA-821-B-05-001
March 2006
Compliance Guide for the Concentrated Aquatic
Animal Production Point Source Category

Engineering and Analysis Division
Office of Science and Technology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
March 2006
Acknowledgments
The Engineering and Analysis Division, Office of Science and Technology has prepared
this compliance guidance and approved it for publication. Tetra Tech, Inc., Contract 68-
C-99-263, supported the preparation of the guidance under the direction and review of
the Office of Science and Technology.
Technical experts in the concentrated aquatic animal production (CAAP) industry
prepared the document Best Management Practices for Flow-Through, Net-Pen,
Recirculating, and Pond Aquaculture Systems by Tucker, C., S. Belle, C. Boyd, G. Fornshell,
J. Hargreaves, S. LaPatra, S. Summerfelt, and P. Zajicek (2003). It provided valuable
background information for EPA in the development of this compliance guide.
Disclaimer
The discussion in this document is intended solely as guidance. The statutory
provisions and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
described in this document contain legally binding requirements. This document is not
a regulation itself, nor does it change or substitute for those provisions and regulations.
Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, States, or the regulated
community. This guidance does not confer legal rights or impose legal obligations upon
any member of the public.
While EPA has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the discussion in this
guidance, the obligations of the regulated community are determined by statutes,
regulations, or other legally binding requirements. In the event of a conflict between the
discussion in this document and any statute or regulation, this document would not be
controlling.
The general descriptions provided here may not apply to particular situations based
upon the circumstances. Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections
about the substance of this guidance and the appropriateness of the application of this
guidance to a particular situation. EPA and other decision-makers retain the discretion
to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from those described in this
guidance where appropriate.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement or
recommendation for their use.
This document may be revised periodically without public notice. EPA welcomes
public input on this document at any time.
Neither the United States government nor any of its employees, contractors,
subcontractors, or other employees makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or
assumes any legal liability or responsibility for any third party’s use of, or the results of
such use of, any information, apparatus, product, or process discussed in this report, or
represents that its use by such a third party would not infringe on privately owned
rights.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................1-1
How do I use the symbols contained in this document?..............................................1-1
Who should use this guide?.........................................................................................1-2
Who is in charge of the CAAP permitting program where I live – EPA or the state? 1-3
What does this guide cover?........................................................................................1-3
How should I use this guide?.......................................................................................1-3
How can I get a copy of the federal regulations?.........................................................1-5

Chapter 2: What is the CAAP Regulation? ........................................................................2-1
What is the NPDES Program?.....................................................................................2-1
What are the Effluent Limitations Guidelines for CAAPs?.........................................2-1
Why is this regulation important?................................................................................2-2
Do other laws regulate CAAPs?..................................................................................2-3

Chapter 3: Does the CAAP Regulation Affect Me?............................................................3-1
What operations are CAAPs under the NPDES regulation?........................................3-1
What operations are covered under the CAAP ELGs?................................................3-2
What is the difference between NPDES and ELGs for CAAPs?.................................3-2
What is considered a facility?......................................................................................3-3
What if I have more than one type of production system at my facility?....................3-3
Are there any aquaculture facilities that do not need an NPDES permit?...................3-4
How do I know if I am not covered by these regulations?...........................................3-5
What if I discharge to a POTW?..................................................................................3-5
What part of my CAAP is regulated?..........................................................................3-5

Chapter 4: What Do I Need to Know About NPDES Permits?.........................................4-1
How do I apply for an NPDES permit?.......................................................................4-1
What is an NPDES general permit?.............................................................................4-1
What is an NPDES individual permit?.........................................................................4-2
What information do I have to include in my NOI or permit application?..................4-3
When do I have to get an NPDES permit?...................................................................4-3
Existing CAAP Facilities.................................................................................4-4
New Dischargers..............................................................................................4-4
New Sources....................................................................................................4-5
When will my NPDES permit expire?.........................................................................4-6
How long should I keep my NPDES permit?..............................................................4-6
What if I make significant changes to my operation while I have an
NPDES permit?............................................................................................................4-7

Chapter 5: What Requirements Will My NPDES Permit Contain?.................................5-1
What are the elements of an NPDES permit for a CAAP facility?..............................5-1
What effluent limitations will be included in my NPDES permit?..............................5-2
Effluent limitations for flow-through and recirculating facilities....................5-2
Effluent limitations for net pen facilities.........................................................5-3
EPA-821-B-05-001 i March 2006
Table of Contents
What are special conditions?........................................................................................5-3
What special conditions will be included in my CAAP NPDES permit?....................5-3
What are the standard conditions of all NPDES permits?...........................................5-4
What records do I have to keep?..................................................................................5-4
What are the record-keeping requirements for all CAAPs, under the ELGs?.5-4
What monitoring do I have to perform under my NPDES permit?.............................5-4
What monitoring do I have to perform under the ELGs?................................5-5
What do I have to report to the permitting authority?..................................................5-5
What else do I have to report?..........................................................................5-5
What other requirements might my permit contain?....................................................5-6

Chapter 6: General Reporting Requirements for Flow-through, Recirculating,
and Net Pen Facilities............................................................................................................6-1
What is an INAD drug? ...............................................................................................6-1
What is extralabel use of a drug?.................................................................................6-1
What am I required to do if I use an INAD drug?.......................................................6-2
What am I required to do if there is extralabel drug use at my CAAP facility?..........6-2
What am I required to do if there is a failure in, or damage to, the structure
of an aquatic animal containment system?...................................................................6-3

Chapter 7: Narrative Requirements for Flow-through, Recirculating,
and Net Pen Facilities............................................................................................................7-1
What is required for solids control?.............................................................................7-1
What is required for materials storage?.......................................................................7-2
What is required for maintenance?..............................................................................7-2
What is required for record-keeping?..........................................................................7-3
What is required for training?......................................................................................7-3
What is required for feed management?......................................................................7-3
What are additional requirements for net pens?...........................................................7-4

Chapter 8: Writing and Certifying a BMP Plan.................................................................8-1
What is the goal of a BMP plan?.................................................................................8-1
How do I write a BMP plan?.......................................................................................8-1
Solids control...................................................................................................8-1
Material storage................................................................................................8-2
Maintenance.....................................................................................................8-2
Record-keeping................................................................................................8-2
Training............................................................................................................8-3
Feed management ............................................................................................8-3
Waste collection and disposal..........................................................................8-3
Transport or harvest discharge.........................................................................8-4
Carcass removal...............................................................................................8-4
Other information.............................................................................................8-4
How do I certify my BMP plan?..................................................................................8-4

EPA-821-B-05-001 ii March 2006
Table of Contents
Chapter 9: Solids Control for Flow-through and Recirculating Facilities.......................9-1
Feed Management........................................................................................................9-1
Examples of Feed Management Practices........................................................9-1
Solids Management......................................................................................................9-4
Examples of Solids Management Practices.....................................................9-5
Solids Disposal.............................................................................................................9-8
Examples of Solids Disposal Practices............................................................9-8
Solids Storage............................................................................................................9-10
Examples of Solids Storage Practices............................................................9-10
Mortality Removal and Disposal...............................................................................9-11
Examples of Mortality Removal and Disposal Practices...............................9-11

Chapter 10: Material Storage for Flow-through, Recirculating, and Net
Pen Facilities.........................................................................................................................10-1
Materials Storage.......................................................................................................10-1
Examples of Materials Storage Practices.......................................................10-1
Additional Suggestions..................................................................................10-3

Chapter 11: Maintenance for Flow-through, Recirculating, and Net Pen Facilities.....11-1
Maintenance...............................................................................................................11-1
Examples of Maintenance Practices...............................................................11-1

Chapter 12: Record-keeping for Flow-through, Recirculating, and Net
Pen Facilities.........................................................................................................................12-1
Record-keeping..........................................................................................................12-1
Examples of Record-keeping Practices..........................................................12-1

Chapter 13: Perform Training for Flow-through, Recirculating, and Net
Pen Facilities ........................................................................................................................13-1
Training......................................................................................................................13-1
Examples of Training Practices.....................................................................13-1

Chapter 14: Feed Management for Net Pen Facilities......................................................14-1
Feed Management......................................................................................................14-1
Examples of Feed Management Practices......................................................14-1

Chapter 15: Waste Collection and Disposal, Transport or Harvest Discharge,
and Carcass Removal for Net Pen Facilities......................................................................15-1
Waste Collection and Disposal..................................................................................15-1
Examples of Waste Collection and Disposal Practices..................................15-1
Transport or Harvest Discharge.................................................................................15-2
Examples of Transport or Harvest Discharge Practices.................................15-2
Carcass Removal........................................................................................................15-2
Examples of Carcass Removal Practices.......................................................15-2

References and Resources
EPA-821-B-05-001 i ii March 2006
Table of Contents
Appendices

Appendix A: State Permitting Authorities/Departments of Environmental Protection
Appendix B: Natural Resources Agencies Associated with Fisheries
Appendix C: Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix D: Code of Federal Regulations
Appendix D1: 40 CFR 122.24
Appendix D2: 40 CFR 451
Appendix E: BMP Plans
Appendix E1: BMP Plan Template
Appendix E2: Example BMP Plan
Appendix F: BMP Certification Form
Appendix G: State BMP Programs
Appendix H: National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators (NASAC),
Cooperative Extension Services, and Sea Grant Information
Appendix I: Additional Resources
Appendix J: Glossary
Appendix K: NPDES Permit Applications
Appendix K1: Form 1
Appendix K2: Form 2B
Appendix L: Applicability Matrix
Appendix M: General Reporting Forms
Appendix M1: Example Written Report – Participating in an INAD Study
Appendix M2: Checklist for Oral Report for INAD and Extralabel Drug Use
Appendix M3: Example Written Report – INAD and Extralabel Drug Use
Appendix M4: Checklist for Oral Report of Failure or Damage to the Structure of
Containment Systems
Appendix M5: Example Written Report – Failure or Damage to the Structure of
Containment Systems
Appendix M6: Checklist for Oral Report of Spills of Drugs, Pesticides, and Feed
Appendix M7: Example Written Report – Spills of Drugs, Pesticides, and Feed
Appendix N: Feed Conversion Ratios Log
Appendix O: Spills and Leaks Log
Appendix P: Inspection and Maintenance Logs
Appendix P1: Example Inspection and Maintenance Log for Flow-through and
Recirculating Systems
Appendix P2: Example Inspection and Maintenance Log for Net Pen Systems
Appendix Q: Cleaning Log
Appendix R: Record-keeping Checklist
Appendix S: Employee Training Log
Appendix T: Carcass Removal Log
Appendix U: FDA Labeling
Appendix V: SDAFS BMP Plan
EPA-821-B-05-001 i v March 2006
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction

On June 30, 2004, the U.S. Environmental with the NPDES and ELGs regulations.
Protection Agency (EPA) completed Background information about aquatic
regulations under the Clean Water Act animal production facilities (e.g., system
(CWA) establishing Effluent Limitations types, wastewater treatment) is available
Guidelines (ELGs) and New Source from EPA’s Technical Development
Performance Standards for the Concentrated Document for the Final Effluent Limitations
Aquatic Animal Production (CAAP) Point Guidelines and New Source Performance
Source Category. The regulations contain Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic
requirements for wastewater discharges that Animal Production Point Source Category,
must be met by new and existing CAAP available at
facilities discharging directly to U.S. waters. http://epa.gov/guide/aquaculture/tdd/final.htm.
The CWA establishes a comprehensive
program for protecting the Nation’s waters. CAAP facilities subject to the ELGs are
Among its core provisions, the CWA defined as facilities (flow-through,
generally prohibits the discharge of recirculating, and net pen) that produce
100,000 pounds or more of aquatic
pollutants from a point source to waters
animals per year.
except as authorized by a National Pollutant

Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit.
EPA is continually improving its rules,
Direct dischargers must comply with
policies, compliance programs, and outreach
effluent limits in NPDES permits. EPA’s
efforts, so some of the information in this
NPDES regulations define a hatchery, fish
guide might have changed since it was
farm, or other facility as a CAAP and
published. You can find out whether EPA
therefore subject to the NPDES permit
has updated this guide by checking EPA’s
program. The regulation defines a CAAP by,
website for the CAAP ELGs at
among other things, the size of the operation
http://epa.gov/guide/aquaculture.
and frequency of discharge.

Those CAAP facilities subject to the ELGs
must develop and maintain a best How do I use the symbols contained
management practice (BMP) plan describing in this document?
how they will achieve the ELG
In many of the chapters, you will see
requirements. The CAAP must certify in
symbols, which denote the following:
writing to the permitting authority that a

BMP plan has been developed and make the
FT
plan available to the permitting authority • Flow-through
upon request. EPA did not revise the
RAS
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination • Recirculating
System (NPDES) regulation, as it applies to NET
• Net Pen1
CAAPs.

EPA has produced this document to help
CAAP facility owners/operators and NPDES
permit writers to understand and comply 1 Whenever the term net pen is used in this guidance,
it also refers to cages that function like net pens.
EPA-821-B-05-001 1- 1 March 2006