Economic Feasibility of Impermeable Lagoon Covers

Abstract

This paper addresses the economic feasibility of complying with the proposed rule of “a zero discharge requirement from the production area that does not allow for an overflow under any circumstances,” presented as “Option 5” on page 3060 of the Federal Register (Vol. 66, No. 9, Friday, January 12, 2001). In the proposed rule, the EPA suggested the strategies of improved water management, covered storage or additional storage to meet the no discharge criteria. While improved water management and additional storage may aid in manure management, covered storage was viewed as the only way to guarantee compliance with the “no overflow under any circumstances” wording of the rule. EPA staff have repeatedly indicated that all swine manure storage structures would need to be covered in some way to meet the rule's requirements.