CAFO permit issued to Lost Valley Farm
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have authorized a permit allowing the operation of a new dairy in Morrow County. The dairy, Lost Valley Farm, will be subject to stringent water quality regulations and will also provide jobs and economic benefits to the region.
ODA and DEQ have crafted a permit that is the most protective of surface and groundwater of any Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permit issued in the state. In addition, Lost Valley Farm is required to conduct the most extensive monitoring of any CAFO permitted facility to date, including ongoing monitoring of groundwater, soil, and leak detection of its animal waste storage. The individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) CAFO permit regulates storage and the application of manure and wastewater on crops grown on the farm. The permit approval comes after an extended public review and comment period in response to high interest in the dairy's proposed operation.
The dairy is permitted to have a maximum of 30,000 animals. Lost Valley Farm will provide up to 150 union jobs. The dairy also estimates it will spend about $50 million annually, much of it going into the local economy. Milk from the dairy will be sent to a local processor that also provides jobs in the area. Local governments and labor groups support the dairy's construction and operation.
While the dairy is located in the Lower Umatilla Groundwater Management Area, a region known for having elevated levels of nitrate, the CAFO permit is written to ensure surface and groundwater are protected. Since the dairy is located in an area with limitations on the use of groundwater, ODA and DEQ coordinated with the Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD) to ensure that the amount of water necessary to operate the facility and provide irrigation water for the crop system is legally available and does not negatively impact other water users. WRD is currently processing water use applications filed by the dairy. If needed, the Lost Valley Farm has an agreement to purchase drinking and process water from the Port of Morrow.
Air quality, an issue raised during public comment, is beyond the scope of the CAFO permit, which only regulates discharges to surface and groundwater. However, as part of the dairy's operational plan, Lost Valley Farm will implement Best Management Practices that mitigate emissions and has indicated a willingness to install a methane digester when it becomes economically feasible.
ODA and DEQ carefully reviewed more than 4,000 public comments on the proposed CAFO permit and made modifications based on concerns pertinent to protecting surface and groundwater quality.
ODA conducts routine inspections of all permitted CAFOs generally every 13 months. However, large individually permitted dairies, like Lost Valley Farm, are generally inspected three to four times a year. In addition, the CAFO permit for Lost Valley Farm requires extensive monitoring, record keeping, and reporting. ODA and DEQ will continually review monitoring data in order to assess compliance with the permit's conditions.
Media contacts: Bruce Pokarney (ODA) at 503-986-4559, Katherine Benenati (DEQ) at 541-686-7997, Diana Enright (WRD) at 503-986-0874.