Michigan Supreme Court issues groundbreaking decision to support new factory farm waste requirements: ‘A critical step forward’

A recent Michigan Supreme Court decision will apply stricter permit conditions for factory farm waste management in the state. As reported by Michigan Progressenvironmental groups celebrate decision to protect local waterways, local wildlife and local people from pests contamination of animal waste.

The decision confirmed that: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) had not violated appropriate rules when implementing new requirements limiting the way “concentrated animal feeding operations” store, track and use animal waste on farms, according to Advances.

“The state Supreme Court got it right,” said Rob Michaels, managing attorney at the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Press release. “We applaud the decision and look forward to EGLE fully exercising its authority to control hazardous waste produced by concentrated animal feeding operations and other industrial pollutants.”

new EGLE rules It was first introduced to industrial-scale livestock farms in Michigan in 2020 to protect waterways from pollution from waste. After a short while, Michigan Farm BureauFarmers’ unions and livestock farms challenged this rule in court. The organizations argued that EGLE failed to follow proper procedures when implementing the new requirements. This lawsuit was largely seen as a way to delay implementation of the new rules. Center for Environmental Law and Policy.

Currently there are approx. 290 large-scale factory farms in Michigan. Accordingly Environmental Law and Policy Center dataThese farms produce 17 million pounds more waste per day than the state’s 10 million people. Many farms store this waste in huge liquid manure “lagoons” to later apply it to crops as fertilizer.

But officials say too much waste is produced by these farms, leading to overfilling of waste “lagoons” and overfertilization. This can cause harmful waste to flow into vital waterways and introduce pathogens and other contaminants into the local water supply.

Viruses and bacteria aren’t the only concerns either. Also includes livestock waste high phosphorus levelsable to create harmful algal blooms when given to water. These toxic algae colonies can kill wildlife, plants, and even humans. Michigan has already seen big fish kills Because of this type of pollution.

High levels of nitrate in water contaminated with waste are also a concern. Nitrate pollution occurred linked to birth defects, miscarriages, cancer and more.

Under the new rules, factory farms will be limited in the amount of phosphorus and nitrate they can add to their crops through fertilizer. Farms will also follow strict daily monitoring and reporting requirements detecting pathogens and stricter waste storage rules.

But one caveat of the decision is that EGLE still needs to prove the need for them. leave conditions In any legally controversial case. But the state attorney general says officials plan to do just that.

“This decision is a critical step forward in protecting our state’s invaluable water resources,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Press release. “While this is an important procedural victory for environmental protection, we will continue to vigorously defend EGLE’s position and demonstrate the need for these permit conditions in contested cases.”

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