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! y n <br /> F <br /> )Fact Sheet No. 3 For Dairies Page 2 <br /> I r <br /> 1 local regulations that apply to dairies. The most important federal laws are discussed below. The state and <br /> # federal agencies that may be involved in enforcing compliance with the laws are also discussed below. <br /> f <br /> The Clean Water Act (CWA) is federal law established for protection of surface water, and is enforced by <br /> the USEPA and the RWQCBs. The CWA establishes the NPDES program (described in Fact Sheet No. 1 for <br /> Dairies) and provides for enforcement actions including fines of up to $ 27,500 per day of violation. The <br /> CWA allows for"third party" lawsuits under which part of a fine is given to the person reporting the <br /> violation. <br /> ! The Safe Drinking Water Act is federal law established for protection <br /> of groundwater. The law ;s <br /> enforced by the USEPA, and sets allowable levels of specific chemicals, including nitrate, in drinking water <br /> supplies. <br /> 4 <br /> The following agencies are involved in protection of the environment and enforce state and/or federal laws <br /> and regulations that apply to the management and disposal of animal wastes; <br /> I <br /> State Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) This agency has regulations prohibiting discharges of waste <br /> that can adversely impact aquatic habitat. Any fines imposed for violation of CDFG regulations are in <br /> addition to any enforcement actions taken by the RWQCB or other regulatory agencies. <br /> Vnited States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) The USEPA enforces the Clean Water Act <br /> and the Safe Drinking Water Act and can impose fines for violation of those laws. Many dairies must <br /> obtain a federal NPDES storm water permit (please see Fact Sheet For Dairies, No. I for more <br /> information on this subject). If a dairy does not have a NPDES storm water permit, and wastewater is <br /> discharged into a watercourse other that during a 25-year 24-hour storm, the USEPA.can impose <br /> i substantial fines. The fines imposed by USEPA are in addition to any enforcement actions taken by the <br /> RWQCB or other regulatory agencies. <br /> County Health Departments Depending on the county, the local health department may have <br /> 1 requirements for design and/or management of waste facilities at daim:s. The county may be able to <br /> impose penalties for improper management of animal wastes or may refer cases t6 the county district <br /> 5 attorney's office for enforcement. <br /> I <br /> Attorneys and Special Prosecutors County District Attorneys, the California State Attorney General, <br /> ,�. attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice, and other state and federal prosecutors can request courts <br /> s to order corrections in waste management practices that do not comply with applicable federal, state, <br /> and local laws. The courts can also impose financial penalties for violations of those laws. In addition, <br /> the courts can impose criminal penalties, including a jail sentence, for certain violations. The orders <br /> and/or penalties imposed by state and federal courts can be in addition to any enforcement actions taken <br /> t by the RWQCB or other regulatory agencies. <br /> For more information about the water quality programs that apply to confined animal facilities, contact the <br /> RWQCB dairy regulatory staff at the following offices: <br /> C Sacramento. (916) 255-3000 <br /> i <br /> • Fresno (559) 445-5116 <br /> t o Redding (916) 224-4845 <br /> i <br /> i <br /> Fs43dAce <br /> 1 <br />