What is a point source and how does it apply to farming and ranching?
A point source is any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, concentrated animal feedlot operation from which pollutants are discharged. Upon any discharge at all, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is required and can be obtained from the Army Corp of Engineers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the standards and criteria for the amount that can be discharged.
Agricultural runoff is now considered a "point source" of pollution as a result of a decision by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals that held that manure runoff from fields that a dairy farmer fertilized with his dairy herd manure polluted the waters of the United States. Violations of the CWA, EPA and ESA are criminal offenses and are prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the state within which the violation allegedly occurred. Confined animal feedlot operations include dairy farms and cow/calf operations; water pollution control should be a primary concern for farmers and ranchers.
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