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EPA ACCEPTS REVISED EPCRA REPORT FORM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A proposal by the United States Poultry & Egg Association to streamline forms for reporting the continuous release of ammonia under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act has been accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency. "Following publication of the EPCRA rule, we continued our discussions with EPA Headquarters to discuss an acceptable method of reporting, including information that should be included within the report," Paul Bredwell, a poultry engineer with the USPEA, explained. "We have maintained that it is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the amount of ammonia released due to widely acknowledged factors that may vary from farm to farm. ... Although (EPA) cannot 'endorse' the document, they have indicated that our approach reflects their general policy position, and clearly shows a good faith intent to comply with the key provisions of the EPCRA reporting requirements." According to Guy Hall, director of the Alabama Farmers Federation's Poultry Division, the three-page form developed by the USPEA is much easier to use and, with appropriate modifications, can even be used by other commodity producers. "This is good news not only for Alabama's poultry industry, but other commodities as well," said Hall. "This will make the reporting process much easier." Hall praised USPEA and the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association for their efforts in developing the new form which was approved in writing by EPA on Feb. 19 for use in Alabama. "We appreciate the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and APEA Executive Director Johnny Adams for getting this new form approved," said Hall. "This will lighten a huge paperwork burden for our producers." According to reporting compliance guidelines from EPA, Alabama producers of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) that meet EPA's requirements should make continuous release notification by calling John Bibb of ADEM at (334) 260-2704 and the Emergency Management Agency or Local Emergency Planning Committee in their county. Then, within 30 days of the phone call, producers should follow up by completing the new Continuous Release Report and mailing it to: ADEM, Attn. John Bibb, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130. A copy should also be mailed to your county EMA or other emergency agency. On the first anniversary date of the initial notification, producers may be required to reassess and confirm the accuracy of the information on file. For more information, contact Hall at (334) 613-5181 or email GHall@AlfaFarmers.org.
 Download Report Form, Guidelines, EMA List Here
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