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a news item to AquaNIC. If your item relates to a conference or other scheduled
educational activity, then we suggest you check out our calendar.
December
- EPA's notice on the extension of the deadline
for public comments on the proposed regulation for
discharges from aquaculture facilities was published in the Federal Register
on December 2.
Please note the deadline is being extended for about 6 weeks with the new
deadline date of
January 27, 2003. Please review the notice for complete details. You can
access the Federal Register notice at the following website address for a
PDF copy:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/pdf/02-30466.pdf
[Federal Register: December 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 71523-71524]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de02-4
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, 40 CFR Part 451,
[FRL-7415-6], RIN 2040-AD55
Extension of Comment Period for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New
Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production
Point Source Category; Proposed Rule
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Proposed
rule; extension of comment period.
SUMMARY: EPA proposed effluent limitations guidelines and
standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animals Production (CAAP) Category on
September 12, 2002. The proposed regulations would apply to discharges from
certain facilities in the CAAP Category that grow, contain or produce
aquatic animals above 100,000 pounds. EPA is extending the comment period by
approximately six weeks. The comment period will now close on January 27,
2003. EPA has carefully considered the court-ordered promulgation date in
making the decision to extend the comment period for this rulemaking.
DATES: Comments regarding the proposed rule will be accepted
on or
before January 27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to W-02-01, Ms. Marta E.
Jordan, Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T), U.S. EPA, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. For hand-deliveries or Federal
Express, please send comments to Ms. Marta E. Jordan, Office of Water,
Engineering and Analysis Division, Room 6233M, 1301 Constitution Avenue,
NW., 6th Floor, Connecting Wing, Washington, DC 20460. EPA requests an
original and three copies of your written comments and enclosures (including
copies of references). Comments may be sent by email to the following e-mail
address: aquaticanimals@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta
E. Jordan, Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Telephone (202) 566-1049, fax (202) 566-1053.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA proposed effluent limitations
guidelines and standards for the CAAP Category on September 12, 2002, see 67
FR 57871. The proposed regulation would apply to producers of aquatic
animals which produce at least 100,000 pounds of animals per year in one of
three specific production systems. EPA proposed to establish requirements
for the production of aquatic animals in flow through, recirculating, and
net pen systems. EPA proposes to establish numeric limitations for Total
Suspended Solids (TSS) in the wastewater discharged from flow through and
recirculating systems. EPA also proposes to require the development and
implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to
control the discharge of pollutants from flow through, recirculating and net
pens systems. EPA described the bases for these requirements in section VIII
of the preamble to the proposed regulation (67 FR 57895).
EPA held three public meetings to provide an overview of the proposed rule
and opportunities for the regulated community and other interested parties
to ask questions on issues pertaining to the proposed rule.
EPA received several requests to extend the comment period to allow more
time to address the issues on which EPA solicited public comment. The
requests for an extension pointed out that this is a very busy
season for a large portion of this industry. Many sectors are involved in
harvest through the fall months. EPA agrees that many producers may need
more time to develop comments to the proposal. The comment period
for the proposed rule is extended until January 27, 2003. EPA is scheduled
to take final action on effluent limitations guidelines and new source
performance standards for this industry by June 2004. EPA is using its best
efforts to comply with this deadline and expects to meet the schedule even
with this extension of the
comment period. Dated: November 25, 2002.
G. Tracy Mehan, III, Assistant Administrator for Water. [FR Doc. 02-30466
Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
- The University of Idaho, Department of Food
Science & Toxicology, in conjunction with Idaho
TechHelp, is planning a Seafood HACCP Workshop the first quarter of 2003 in
the Intermountain
area of the U.S. We are currently looking at the Salt Lake City, Utah, area
as a central site to
serve the needs of companies in Montana, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho. The
course will meet the
training requirements of 21CFR Part123, the FDA seafood HACCP regulation,
and we will be
offering a University of Idaho certificate of completion (CEU's also
available), rather than an AFDO
certificate. The course will be offered in January or February, and will
utilize Seafood HACCP Alliance
curriculum, along with the FDA Hazards and Control Guide for Seafood. The
course will be taught
by Jeff Kronenberg, M.S., who has been conducting HACCP training, auditing
HACCP, and
assisting with HACCP implementation for the last 17 years. If you are
interested in attending this course, or have an associate that is looking
for this training, please contact myself or Teresa Hicks, U of I conference
manager (208 364-4067). We need approximately 15-20 students before we can
hold the course. Thank you.
Jeff Kronenberg, Food Processing Specialist,
University of Idaho- TechHelp, Cooperative Extension System,
Business and Technology Incubator, 1904 E. Chicago, Suite B-3, Caldwell, ID
83605, 208 455-9650 ext. 110
208 867-6477 (cell), 208 455-9653 (fax), Email: jkron@uidaho.edu,
Web: www.techhelp.org www.ag.uidaho.edu/fst/
November
October
- Secondary and Two-Year
Postsecondary Agriculture Education Challenge Grants Program (SPEC)
- Higher
Education Challenge Grants Program (HEC)
- Higher Education
Multicultural Scholars Programs
- December 1, 2002 is the Deadline for Titles
and Abstracts for Paper/Poster submissions for the Symposium on Propagated
Fish in Resource Management Symposium that will be held June, 2003 in Boise
ID. We encourage everyone who manages, studies or deals with cultured fish
and their role in, and impacts on, aquatic ecosystems to consider a
contribution to this important Symposium. Details on all aspects of the
Symposium, including subject areas for papers and posters, can be found at
the website: http://www.fishbiologycongress.org/pfirm
- M.P.
Mulvihill Aquaculture Student Scholarship - The first scholarship for
$1,500 will be presented at Aquaculture America 2003 in Louisville, Kentucky
to a deserving aquaculture student to help further his/her education.
To be eligible for the M.P. Mulvihill Aquaculture Student Scholarship, an
applicant must be a United States citizen, a student member of the World
Aquaculture Society and the United States Aquaculture Society (USAS) at the
time of application submission, and a graduate or upper level undergraduate
student. Selection will be based upon the student's financial need,
academic history, and contributions to U.S. aquaculture or the USAS and
commitment to aquaculture.
- US Aquaculture Society, a Chapter of the World
Aquaculture Society, announces the newly released book entitled, "Aquaculture
and the Environment in the United States", is the first book to
be published by the United States Aquaculture Society, a Chapter of the
World Aquaculture Society. The 277 page book contains 12 chapters describing
the multi-faceted issue of environmental impacts of aquaculture effluents.
This book is extremely timely considering U. S. EPA's ongoing review of
aquaculture effluents. You may purchase it at the World Aquaculture
Society's online store at http://www.was.org.
- Federal Register Notice regarding changes in
conservation practice standards
in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) National
Handbook of Conservation Practices. (Ac.) CODE 397 DEFINITION-A water
impoundment constructed and managed for commercial aquaculture production.
PURPOSE-Provide a favorable aquatic environment for producing, growing,
harvesting, and marketing
commercial aquaculture crops.
CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES-This practice applies to: 1.All
impoundments that store water and are managed for commercial aquaculture
purposes. 2.Embankment impoundments that do not exceed the requirements for
Class (a) dams having a product of storage times effective height of dam
less than 3,000 acre-ft2 and effective height of dam less than 35 feet, as
defined in Conservation Practice Standard 378, Pond.
GENERAL CRITERIA-A thorough aquaculture resource assessment shall be made to
determine the feasibility of the project prior to design. Aquaculture
ponds may be: (1) embankment ponds that intercept and store surface runoff
water, or (2) off channel impoundments or excavated ponds that are filled by
pumping ground water, or diverting spring or stream flows. The site
must be protected from flooding, sedimentation, and non-sediment
contamination. The soils within the pond area, as well as those in the
contributing drainage area, must be checked for residues of pesticides and
other harmful chemicals for any possibility of contamination. Acid
soils shall be limed to achieve a neutral condition or the desired pH level
for best production. When multiple ponds are installed, each pond
shall be arranged so that it can be managed independently of the others to
facilitate harvesting and the control of parasites and disease. All
ponds shall be designed to minimize the escape of harmful fishery species. A
protective cover of vegetation shall be established on all exposed soil
surfaces that have been disturbed. If soil or climatic conditions preclude
the use of vegetation, other protective measures shall be used. Water
supply. Any available water source may be used if the quality and quantity
are adequate. Evaporation rates, fish-stocking densities, and species
requirements shall be used in establishing specific incoming flow rates.
Water Quality. Water entering the pond shall be aerated to increase
dissolved oxygen and dissipate harmful gases if needed. The minimum
dissolved oxygen level in ponds is 3 to 5 parts per million. Water
temperature and water chemistry shall be suitable for use for fish-stocking
density and species requirements in the planned aquaculture production.
If water is pumped from rivers and streams or other sources where
undesirable fish, pesticide residue, fish disease, and parasites may be
introduced, filters must be installed in the pumping system. Incoming water
shall be added as far away from outlet drain as possible to prevent the
rapid removal of fresh water from the pond. Provisions shall be made for any
needed treatment of water released downstream from the aquaculture
impoundment structure. All Federal, State and local regulations will be
followed and necessary permits will be obtained prior to construction and
stocking. Design Criteria - Embankment Ponds. Earthfill dams and embankments
around excavated ponds shall meet or exceed the requirements for embankments
specified for Pond (378). The minimum top width of the embankment shall be
14 feet, where it is to be used as a road for harvesting, feeding, and
management purposes and is nonpublic. Design Criteria - Excavated Ponds.
Ponds established by excavating and constructing an embankment around their
outer perimeter that excludes outside runoff shall have either an auxiliary
spillway or have a principal spillway pipe installed with sufficient
capacity to remove a 10-year/24-hour direct rainfall amount in 48 hours. A
minimum 8-inch diameter pipe shall be used. Levee construction shall add the
required embankment settlement to the minimum freeboard requirements. A
minimum berm width of 10 feet shall be provided between the outside toe of
levee and top of bank of outlet drainage ditch. Pipes and conduits. Pump
discharge through levees shall be installed above expected high water level,
and provisions shall be made to prevent pump and motor vibrations from being
transmitted to discharge conduits. Interior embankments constructed for
division of water or to direct water flow for circulation shall have
adequate cross section to provide for stability and function for its
intended purpose. Adequate provisions must be made to protect earth surfaces
from turbulent water at pipe inlets and outlets. Pond size and depth. The
pond shall be constructed to the recommended size and depth for the species
to be grown. Drains. All ponds shall have facilities for complete as well as
partial drawdown. Turn-down pipes, quick-release valves, bottom-water
release sleeves, or other devices for water level control and pond
management are to be included in the construction of the drawdown facility
as appropriate. Conduit design and seepage control shall meet or exceed the
requirements specified for Pond (378). Pond bottom. Where fish are harvested
by seining, the pond bottom shall be smooth and free of all stumps, trees,
roots, and other debris. Existing channels and depressions in the pond area
shall be filled and smoothed. The edges of the pond should be deepened to
provide at least 3 feet of water. Where crawfish are harvested by trapping,
complete clearing and removal of trees, stumps, and other vegetation is not
required. The pond bottom shall be sloped to the outlet at a gradient of at
least 0.2-foot per 100 feet. Access and safety. Provisions shall be made for
access to the site as well as access for operation and maintenance. Access
ramps, if provided, shall have a grade for equipment access of 4 horizontal
to 1 vertical or flatter. Appropriate safety features shall be made
available close-by to aid people who may fall into the pond and devices
installed to prevent such accidents. Fences shall be installed as necessary
to exclude livestock and unwanted traffic.
CONSIDERATIONS-The State fishery agency or appropriate State University or
research institution should becontacted for recommendation on pond size,
water depths, and adapted commercial aquatic
species. Consider any adverse impact to cultural resources when planning for
aquaculture ponds.
Other planning considerations include the following: 3.The visual design of
ponds should be carefully considered in areas of high public visibility and
those associated with recreational fishing. 4.Consider the effects on the
volume of downstream flow or aquifers that might cause undesirable
environmental, social, or economic effects and contribute to water table
decline from heavy pumping. 5.Measures to avoid depredation by birds
or other animals should be included in the design.
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS-Plans and specifications for constructing
aquaculture ponds shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe
the site specific requirements for applying the practice to achieve its
intended purpose.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE-A plan for operation and maintenance shall be
prepared for use by those responsible for the system. This plan shall
provide for inspection, operation, and maintenance of vegetation, pipes,
valves, spillways, roads, and other parts of the system.
Federal Register: October 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 191)] [Notices] [Page
61848] From
the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02oc02-31]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Notice of Proposed Changes in the National Handbook of Conservation
Practices
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
EFFECTIVE DATES: Comments will be received on or before November 1, 2002.
This
series of new or revised conservation practice standards will be adopted
after the close of the
30-day period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Single copies of these standards are
available from NRCS-CED in Washington, DC. Submit individual inquiries and
return any
comments in writing to William Hughey, National Agricultural Engineer,
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Post Office Box 2890, Room 6139-S, Washington, DC.
20013-2890.
The telephone number is (202) 720-5023. The standards are also available,
and can be
downloaded from the Internet at: http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ practice--stds.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement
and Reform Act of 1996 requires NRCS to make available, for public review
and comment,
proposed revisions to conservation practice standards used to carry out the
highly erodible land
and wetland provisions of the law. For the next 30 days, NRCS will receive
comments on the
proposed changes. Following that period, a determination will be made by
NRCS regarding
disposition of those comments, and a final determination of change will be
made. Signed in
Washington, DC, on September 20, 2002. Bruce I. Knight, Chief, Natural
Resources
Conservation Service. [FR Doc. 02-24963 Filed 10-1-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE
3410-16-P
September
- EPA Proposes Effluent Guidelines for
Aquaculture Facilities EPA presented the proposed effluent limitations
guidelines and standards for wastewater discharges from the concentrated
aquatic animal production industrial point source category. The proposed
regulation introduces new technology-based effluent limitations guidelines
and standards for wastewater discharges associated with the operation of new
and existing concentrated aquatic animal production facilities (CAAP). CAAP
includes fish hatcheries, fin fish farms, shellfish farms, and some
aquariums and botanical gardens. The proposed rule would only apply to
operations with flow-through systems, recirculating systems, and net pens.
Treatment techniques contained in the proposal would address issues such as
feed management to minimize excess food in the water, health management to
reduce disease and the use of drugs, and drug and chemical management plans
that include conditions for storage. Comments on the proposal must be
postmarked by December 11, 2002. EPA will conduct two or three public
meetings to discuss the proposed rule. The information on dates, times and
locations of the public meetings will be published in a subsequent Federal
Register notice.
- Representatives from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA)will visit area catfish farms in early 2003
to conduct a survey for Catfish 2003, a study of health and health
management practices on U.S. catfish production sites. Conducted by
the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), Catfish 2003
will address priority issues of the U.S. Catfish industry. The Catfish
2003 study will be NAHMS' second national study of the catfish industry. The
first, Catfish '97, described and evaluated the general health and
management practices of the foodsize fish component of the industry.
Objectives of the Catfish 2003 study include:
- Investigate foodsize fish production
practices
- Investigate fingerling production practices,
specifically, broodstock management, hatchery management, vaccination
practices, fingerling pond management, fingerling stocking, and feeding
practices.
- Study the prevalence of disease problems in
foodsize fish and fingerlings as reported by producers
- Examine off-flavor problems.
In early 2003, data collectors from the National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct personal interviews with
producers in the four primary catfish production States (Alabama, Arkansas,
Louisiana, and Mississippi). For more information on Catfish 2003, see:
WHAT'S NEW or AQUACULTURE at the following website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cahm
August
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