Source: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/903
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 16:51:59
Document Index: 505847382

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 903', '§1', '§ 903', '§1', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§1', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§1', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903', '§ 903']

Chapter 903: CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING FACILITIES
903.01 Concentrated animal feeding facility definitions.
(C) "Animal feeding operation" has the same meaning as "animal feeding facility."
(W) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and also includes the state, any political subdivision of the state, any interstate body created by compact, the United States, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of any of those entities.
(AA) "Process waste water" means any process generated waste water and any precipitation, including rain or snow, that comes into contact with manure, litter, bedding, or any other raw material or intermediate or final material or product used in or resulting from the production of animals or direct products such as milk or eggs.
(BB) "Production area" means any of the following components of an animal feeding facility:
(CC) "Public meeting" means a nonadversarial public hearing at which a person may present written or oral statements for the director of agriculture's consideration and includes public hearings held under section 6111.12 of the Revised Code.
(DD) "Rule" means a rule adopted under section 903.10 of the Revised Code.
Cite as R.C. § 903.01
Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.12, HB 363, §1, eff. 12/22/2009.
Effective Date: 11-05-2003; 2008 HB352 08-06-2008
(1) Not later than one hundred eighty days after March 15, 2001, the director of agriculture shall prepare a program for the issuance of permits to install under this section.
(4) In the case of an application for a concentrated animal feeding facility that meets the criteria established in section 307.204 of the Revised Code, one of the following, as applicable:
(a) A written statement from the board of county commissioners of the county in which the concentrated animal feeding facility would be located certifying that, in accordance with that section, the applicant has provided the board with the required written notification and that final recommendations were selected regarding improvements, if any, to county infrastructure that are needed as a result of the new or expanded concentrated animal feeding facility and the costs of those improvements;
(b) A notarized affidavit declaring that the applicant has met the criteria established in section 307.204 of the Revised Code and that a written, dated statement from the board of county commissioners was not received by the applicant under that section.
(7) Information concerning the applicant's past compliance with laws pertaining to environmental protection that is required to be provided under section 903.05 of the Revised Code, if applicable;
(8) Any other information required by rule.
Cite as R.C. § 903.02
Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.12, HB 363, §1, eff. 12/22/2009, certain amendments operative on the date on which the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency approves the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program submitted by the Director of Agriculture under section 903.08 of the Revised Code as amended by this act.
903.03 Program for issuance of permits to operate.
(1) Not later than one hundred eighty days after March 15, 2001, the director of agriculture shall prepare a program for the issuance of permits to operate under this section.
(2) Except for a concentrated animal feeding facility that is operating under an installation permit , on and after the date on which the director has finalized the program required under division (A)(1) of this section, no person shall own or operate a concentrated animal feeding facility without a permit to operate issued by the director under this section.
(1) The name and address of the applicant, of all partners if the applicant is a partnership, of all members if the applicant is a limited liability company, or of all officers and directors if the applicant is a corporation, and of any other person who has a right to control or in fact controls management of the applicant or the selection of officers, directors, or managers of the applicant. As used in division (C)(1) of this section, "control" has the same meaning as in division (C)(1) of section 903.02 of the Revised Code.
(2) Information concerning the applicant's past compliance with laws pertaining to environmental protection that is required to be provided under section 903.05 of the Revised Code, if applicable;
Cite as R.C. § 903.03
903.04 [Repealed].
Cite as R.C. § 903.04
Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.12, HB 363, §1, eff. 12/22/2009 and operative on the date on which the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency approves the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program submitted by the Director of Agriculture under section 903.08 of the Revised Code as amended by this act.
903.05 Application for a permit to install or permit to operate.
(A) Each application for a permit to install or permit to operate a concentrated animal feeding facility that is submitted by an applicant who has not owned or operated a concentrated animal feeding facility in this state for at least two of the five years immediately preceding the submission of the application shall be accompanied by all of the following:
(1) A listing of all animal feeding facilities that the applicant or any person identified by the applicant under division (C)(1) of section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code owns, has owned, has operated, or is operating in this state;
(2) A listing of the animal feeding facilities that the applicant or any person identified by the applicant under division (C)(1) of section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code owns, has owned, has operated, or is operating elsewhere in the United States and that are regulated under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act together with a listing of the animal feeding facilities that the applicant or any such person owns, has owned, has operated, or is operating outside the United States;
(3) A listing of all administrative enforcement orders issued to the applicant or any person identified by the applicant under division (C)(1) of section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code, all civil actions in which the applicant or any such person was determined by the trier of fact to be liable in damages or was the subject of injunctive relief or another type of civil relief, and all criminal actions in which the applicant or any such person pleaded guilty or was convicted, during the five years immediately preceding the submission of the application, in connection with any violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the "Safe Drinking Water Act," as defined in section 6109.01 of the Revised Code, or any other applicable state laws pertaining to environmental protection that was alleged to have occurred or to be occurring at any animal feeding facility that the applicant or any such person owns, has owned, has operated, or is operating in the United States or with any violation of the environmental laws of another country that was alleged to have occurred or to be occurring at any animal feeding facility that the applicant or any such person owns, has owned, has operated, or is operating outside the United States.
The lists of animal feeding facilities owned or operated by the applicant or any person identified by the applicant under division (C)(1) of section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code within or outside this state or outside the United States shall include, respectively, all such facilities owned or operated by the applicant or any such person during the five-year period immediately preceding the submission of the application.
(B) If the applicant for a permit to install or permit to operate or any person identified by the applicant under division (C)(1) of section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code has been involved in any prior activity involving the operation of an animal feeding facility, the director of agriculture may deny the application if the director finds from the application, the information submitted under divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section, pertinent information submitted to the director, and other pertinent information obtained by the director at the director's discretion that the applicant and any such person, in the operation of animal feeding facilities, have a history of substantial noncompliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the "Safe Drinking Water Act," as defined in section 6109.01 of the Revised Code, any other applicable state laws pertaining to environmental protection, or the environmental laws of another country that indicates that the applicant or any such person lacks sufficient reliability, expertise, and competence to operate the proposed new or modified concentrated animal feeding facility in substantial compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under it.
Cite as R.C. § 903.05
Effective Date: 03-15-2001; 09-29-2005
(A) As used in this section, "plan" means an insect and rodent control plan prepared under this section.
Cite as R.C. § 903.06
903.07 Livestock manager certification.
(A) On and after the date that is established in rules by the director of agriculture, both of the following apply:
(2) No person shall transport and land apply annually or buy, sell, or land apply annually the volume of manure established in rules adopted by the director under division (D)(5) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code unless the person holds a livestock manager certification issued under this section.
(C) Information required to be included in an application for a livestock manager certification, the amount of the application fee, requirements regarding training and the examination, requirements governing the management and handling of manure, including the land application of manure, and requirements governing the keeping of records regarding the handling of manure, including the land application of manure, shall be established in rules.
Cite as R.C. § 903.07
903.08 Participating in national pollutant discharge elimination system.
(1) The director of agriculture is authorized to participate in the national pollutant discharge elimination system in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Not later than one hundred eighty days after March 15, 2001, the director shall prepare a state program in accordance with 40 C.F.R. 123.21 for point sources that are subject to this section and shall submit the program to the United States environmental protection agency for approval.
(2) On and after the date on which the United States environmental protection agency approves the state program submitted under division (A)(1) of this section, the authority to enforce terms and conditions of NPDES permits previously issued under division (J) of section 6111.03 or under section 6111.035 of the Revised Code for the discharging, transporting, or handling of storm water from an animal feeding facility or of pollutants from concentrated animal feeding operations is transferred from the director of environmental protection to the director of agriculture. Thereafter, the director of environmental protection shall have no authority to enforce the terms and conditions of those NPDES permits. After the transfer of authority under division (A)(2) of this section, the NPDES permits concerning which authority has been transferred shall be considered to have been issued under this section.
(1) On and after the date on which the United States environmental protection agency approves the NPDES program submitted by the director of agriculture under this section, no person shall discharge pollutants from a concentrated animal feeding operation into waters of the state without first obtaining a NPDES permit issued by the director of agriculture under this section. Any person that is required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to obtain a permit for the discharge of pollutants from a concentrated animal feeding operation shall apply to the director for an individual NPDES permit or for coverage under a general NPDES permit. The director is authorized to issue, revoke, modify, or deny such an individual permit or issue, revoke, or deny coverage under a general permit in compliance with all requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Violation of division (B)(1) of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance for purposes of state enforcement of this section.
(2) Persons that have been issued a permit by the director of environmental protection under division (J) of section 6111.03 of the Revised Code for the discharge of pollutants from a concentrated animal feeding operation into the waters of the state prior to the date on which the United States environmental protection agency approves the NPDES program submitted by the director of agriculture under this section may continue to operate under that permit until it expires or is modified or revoked. Such a permit shall be enforced by the director of agriculture upon the transfer of authority to enforce the terms and conditions of the permit under division (A)(2) of this section.
(1) On and after the date on which the United States environmental protection agency approves the NPDES program submitted by the director of agriculture under this section, no person shall discharge storm water resulting from an animal feeding facility without first obtaining a NPDES permit issued by the director of agriculture in accordance with rules when such a permit is required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Violation of division (C)(1) of this section is hereby declared to be a public nuisance for purposes of state enforcement of this section.
(1) No person shall make any false statement, representation, or certification in an application for a NPDES permit or in any form, notice, or report required to be submitted to the director pursuant to terms and conditions established in a NPDES permit issued under this section.
(1) No person shall violate any effluent limitation established by rule.
Cite as R.C. § 903.08
Effective Date: 11-05-2003; 03-29-2007
(A) For purposes of section 903.08 of the Revised Code, no person shall approve all or portions of a NPDES permit if the person receives or has received during the two years prior to the receipt of an application for a NPDES permit a significant portion of income from any NPDES permittee or any applicant for a NPDES permit. In addition, no person may serve on a board or commission that approves all or portions of a NPDES permit, including taking such action pursuant to an appeal of a NPDES permit, if the person receives or has received during the two years prior to serving on the board or commission or to the filing of the appeal a significant portion of income from any NPDES permittee or any applicant for a NPDES permit.
Cite as R.C. § 903.081
(A) The director of agriculture may determine that an animal feeding facility that is not a concentrated animal feeding facility nevertheless shall be required to apply for and receive a permit to operate when all of the following apply:
(1) The director has specified a corrective action to be taken under section 939.07 of the Revised Code .
(B) In a situation in which best management practices cannot be implemented without modifying the existing animal feeding facility, the owner or operator of the facility shall apply for a permit to install for the facility.
Cite as R.C. § 903.082
903.09 Issuance of draft permits.
(A) Prior to issuing or modifying a permit to install, permit to operate, or NPDES permit, the director of agriculture shall issue a draft permit. The director or the director's representative shall mail notice of the issuance of a draft permit to the applicant and shall publish the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the concentrated animal feeding facility or discharger is located or proposed to be located. The director shall mail notice of the issuance of a draft permit and a copy of the draft permit to the board of county commissioners of the county and the board of township trustees of the township in which the concentrated animal feeding facility or discharger is located or proposed to be located. The director or the director's representative also shall provide notice of the issuance of a draft NPDES permit to any other persons that are entitled to notice under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Notice of the issuance of a draft permit to install, permit to operate, or NPDES permit shall include the address where written comments concerning the draft permit may be submitted and the period of time during which comments will be accepted as established by rule.
(E) Notice or a public meeting is not required for the modification of a permit made with the consent of the permittee for the correction of typographical errors.
(1) The director shall issue an order issuing or denying an application for a permit to operate that contains NPDES provisions or for a NPDES permit, as well as any application for a permit to install that is submitted simultaneously, not later than one hundred eighty days after receiving the application.
(I) Upon the transfer of ownership of an animal feeding facility for which a permit to install, an installation permit, or a permit to operate that contains no NPDES provisions has been issued, the permit shall be transferred to the new owner of the animal feeding facility except as provided in division (C) of section 903.05 of the Revised Code. In the case of the transfer of ownership of a point source for which a NPDES permit or a permit to operate that contains NPDES provisions has been issued, the permit shall be transferred in accordance with rules.
(1) The discharge of pollutants from a concentrated animal feeding operation;
(2) The discharge of storm water resulting from an animal feeding facility.
Cite as R.C. § 903.09
903.10 Administrative rules for permits to install and permits to operate.
The director of agriculture may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do all of the following:
Establish best management practices that minimize water pollution, odors, insects, and rodents, that govern the land application of manure that originated at a concentrated animal feeding facility, and that govern all of the following activities that occur at a concentrated animal feeding facility:
(1) Manure management, including the storage, handling, transportation, and land application of manure. Rules adopted under division (B)(1) of this section shall include practices that prevent surface and ground water contamination caused by the storage of manure or the land application of manure and prevent the contamination of water in drainage tiles that may be caused by that application.
Best management practices established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section shall not conflict with best management practices established in rules that have been adopted under any other section of the Revised Code. The rules adopted under division (B) of this section shall establish guidelines that require owners or operators of concentrated animal feeding facilities to consult with and work with local officials, including boards of county commissioners and boards of township trustees, in addressing issues related to local government infrastructure needs and the financing of that infrastructure.
(C) Establish all of the following concerning insect and rodent control plans required under section 903.06 of the Revised Code:
(6) The amount of civil penalties for violation of an insect and rodent control plan assessed by the director of agriculture under division (B) of section 903.16 of the Revised Code, provided that the rules adopted under division (C)(6) of this section shall not establish a civil penalty of more than ten thousand dollars for a violation involving a concentrated animal feeding facility that is not a major concentrated animal feeding facility and shall not establish a civil penalty of more than twenty-five thousand dollars for a violation involving a major concentrated animal feeding facility;
(D) Establish all of the following concerning livestock manager certifications required under section 903.07 of the Revised Code:
(E) Establish all of the following concerning NPDES permits:
(3) Variances from effluent limitations and other permit requirements to the extent that the variances are consistent with the Federal Water Pollution
The rules adopted under division (E) of this section shall be consistent with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(F) Establish public notice and participation requirements, in addition to the procedures established in rules adopted under division (E)(7) of this section, for the issuance, denial, modification, transfer, suspension, and revocation of permits to install, permits to operate, and NPDES permits consistent with section 903.09 of the Revised Code, including a definition of what constitutes significant public interest for the purposes of divisions (A) and (F) of section 903.09 of the Revised Code and procedures for public meetings. The rules shall require that information that is presented at such a public meeting be limited to the criteria that are applicable to the permit application that is the subject of the public meeting.
(G) Establish the amount of civil penalties assessed by the director of agriculture under division (B) of section 903.16 of the Revised Code for violation of the terms and conditions of a permit to install or permit to operate , provided that the rules adopted under this division shall not establish a civil penalty of more than ten thousand dollars per day for each violation;
(H) Establish procedures for the protection of trade secrets from public disclosure. The procedures shall authorize the release of trade secrets to officers, employees, or authorized representatives of the state, another state, or the United States when necessary for an enforcement action brought under this chapter or when otherwise required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The rules shall require at least ten days' written notice to the person to whom a trade secret applies prior to the release of the trade secret. Rules adopted under this division do not apply to any information that is contained in applications, including attachments, for NPDES permits and that is required to be submitted under section 903.08 of the Revised Code or rules adopted under division (E) of this section.
(I) Establish any other provisions necessary to administer and enforce this chapter.
Cite as R.C. § 903.10
Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.82, HB 276, §1, eff. 6/4/2012.
903.11 Contracts or agreements to carry out purposes of chapter.
(A) [Effective from 9/29/2015 until 1/1/2016] The director of agriculture may enter into contracts or agreements to carry out the purposes of this chapter with any public or private person, including OSU extension, the natural resources conservation service in the United States department of agriculture, the environmental protection agency, the division of soil and water resources in the department of natural resources,] and soil and water conservation districts established under Chapter 1515. of the Revised Code. However, the director shall not enter into a contract or agreement with a private person for the review of applications for permits to install, permits to operate, or NPDES permits that are issued under this chapter or for the inspection of a facility regulated under this chapter or with any person for the issuance of any of those permits or for the enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under it.
(A) [Effective 1/1/2016] The director of agriculture may enter into contracts or agreements to carry out the purposes of this chapter with any public or private person, including OSU extension, the natural resources conservation service in the United States department of agriculture, the environmental protection agency, and soil and water conservation districts established under Chapter 940. of the Revised Code. However, the director shall not enter into a contract or agreement with a private person for the review of applications for permits to install, permits to operate, or NPDES permits that are issued under this chapter or for the inspection of a facility regulated under this chapter or with any person for the issuance of any of those permits or for the enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under it.
(B) The director may administer grants and loans using moneys from the federal government and other sources, public or private, for carrying out any of the director's functions. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the eligibility of owners or operators of animal feeding facilities or other agricultural enterprises to receive moneys from the water pollution control loan fund established under section 6111.036 of the Revised Code and the nonpoint source pollution management fund established under section 6111.037 of the Revised Code.
The director of agriculture shall provide the director of environmental protection with written recommendations for providing financial assistance from those funds to agricultural enterprises. The director of environmental protection shall consider the recommendations in developing priorities for providing financial assistance from the funds.
Cite as R.C. § 903.11
903.12 Right of entry for investigations and inspections.
(A) The director of agriculture or the director's authorized representative at reasonable times may enter on any public or private property, real or personal, to make investigations and inspections, including the sampling of discharges and the inspection of discharge monitoring equipment, or to otherwise execute duties that are necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter. The director or the director's authorized representative at reasonable times may examine and copy any records pertaining to discharges that are subject to this chapter or any records that are required to be maintained by the terms and conditions of a permit issued under this chapter. If refused entry, the director or the director's authorized representative may apply for and the court of common pleas having jurisdiction may issue an appropriate warrant.
(B) No person to whom a permit has been issued under this chapter shall refuse entry to the director or the director's authorized representative or purposely hinder or thwart the director or the director's authorized representative in the exercise of any authority granted under division (A) of this section.
Cite as R.C. § 903.12
903.13 Affirmative defenses in private civil action for nuisance.
In a private civil action for an alleged nuisance related to agricultural activities conducted at a concentrated animal feeding facility, it is an affirmative defense if the person owning, operating, or otherwise responsible for the concentrated animal feeding facility is in compliance with best management practices established in the installation permit or permit to operate issued for the concentrated animal feeding facility and the agricultural activities do not violate federal, state, and local laws governing nuisances.
Cite as R.C. § 903.13
903.14 Submission to nonbinding arbitration prior to filing private civil action for nuisance.
Prior to filing a private civil action for an alleged nuisance related to agricultural activities conducted at a concentrated animal feeding facility, the parties to the dispute shall submit the dispute to an arbitrator for nonbinding arbitration. The parties shall pay the arbitrator a reasonable compensation based on the extent and duration of actual service rendered. the cost of the arbitrator's services shall be divided proportionately among the parties.
If the decision reached by the arbitrator is not accepted by all parties to the dispute, the complaining parties may file a civil action and the claim shall proceed as if it had not been submitted to nonbinding arbitration. No oral or written statement prepared for or made in the nonbinding arbitration by the arbitrator or any of the parties, including any mental impression, recommendation, or decision by the arbitrator, is subject to discovery or admissible into evidence in any litigation or proceeding for any purpose, including impeachment. The arbitrator shall be disqualified as a witness, consultant, or expert on any subject that is related to the arbitration.
Cite as R.C. § 903.14
(A) A person may submit a complaint to the director of agriculture regarding a concentrated animal feeding facility or the discharge of a pollutant from an animal feeding operation. The complaint may be made orally or in writing. If the complaint is made in writing, it shall be signed by the person making it and dated.
(B) After receiving a written, signed, and dated complaint, the director shall, or after receiving an oral complaint the director may, cause an investigation to be conducted to determine if the owner or operator of the concentrated animal feeding facility is complying with this chapter, rules adopted under it, or any terms and conditions of any permit issued under it or to determine if a discharge of a pollutant is occurring or has occurred at the animal feeding operation.
(1) If, upon completion of the investigation, the director determines that the owner or operator is in compliance with this chapter, rules adopted under it, or any terms and conditions of any permit issued under it or determines that a discharge of a pollutant is not occurring or has not occurred at the animal feeding operation, the director shall dismiss the complaint and notify the complainant and the owner or operator of the concentrated animal feeding facility or animal feeding operation, whichever is applicable, of the dismissal.
(2) If the director determines that the owner or operator is not in compliance with this chapter, rules adopted under it, or any terms and conditions of any permit issued under it or determines that a discharge of a pollutant is occurring or has occurred at the animal feeding operation, the director shall proceed in accordance with section 903.16 or 903.17 of the Revised Code, or both, as applicable.
Cite as R.C. § 903.15
903.16 Requiring corrective actions and assessing civil penalties.
(A) The director of agriculture may propose to require corrective actions and assess a civil penalty against an owner or operator of a concentrated animal feeding facility if the director or the director's authorized representative determines that the owner or operator is not in compliance with section 903.02 or 903.03 or division (A) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code, the terms and conditions of a permit to install or permit to operate issued for the concentrated animal feeding facility, including the requirements established under division (C) of section 903.06 of the Revised Code, or rules adopted under division (A), (B), (C), (D), or (I) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code. However, the director may impose a civil penalty only if all of the following occur:
(1) A person who has violated section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code, the terms and conditions of a permit to install or permit to operate, or rules adopted under division (A), (B), (C), (D), or (I) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code shall pay a civil penalty in an amount established in rules unless the violation is of the requirements established under division (C) of section 903.06 or division (A) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code.
(C) The attorney general, upon the written request of the director, shall bring an action for an injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction against any person violating or threatening to violate section 903.02 or 903.03 or division (A) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code; the terms and conditions of a permit to install or permit to operate, including the requirements established under division (C) of section 903.06 of the Revised Code; rules adopted under division (A), (B), (C), (D), or (I) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code; or an order issued under division (B) of this section or division (B) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code.
(1) In lieu of seeking civil penalties under division (A) of this section, the director may request the attorney general, in writing, to bring an action for a civil penalty in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person that has violated or is violating division (A) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code or the terms and conditions of a permit to install or permit to operate , including the requirements established under division (C) of section 903.06 of the Revised Code.
(2) The director may request the attorney general, in writing, to bring an action for a civil penalty in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person that has violated or is violating section 903.02 or 903.03 of the Revised Code, rules adopted under division (A), (B), (C), (D), or (I) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code, or an order issued under division (B) of this section or division (B) of section 903.07 of the Revised Code.
(E) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section, the director may impose an administrative penalty against an owner or operator of a concentrated animal feeding facility if the director or the director's authorized representative determines that the owner or operator is not in compliance with best management practices that are established in rules adopted under division (B) or (C) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code or in the permit to install or permit to operate issued for the facility. The administrative penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
Cite as R.C. § 903.16
903.17 Adjudicative hearing on corrective actions and civil penalties.
(A) The director of agriculture may propose to require corrective actions and assess a civil penalty against an owner or operator of an animal feeding operation if the director or the director's authorized representative determines that the owner or operator is not in compliance with section 903.08 of the Revised Code, the terms and conditions of a NPDES permit, the NPDES provisions of a permit to operate, or rules adopted under division (E) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code. However, the director may impose a civil penalty only if all of the following occur:
(2) After the time period specified in the notice has elapsed, the director or the director's duly authorized representative has inspected the animal feeding operation, determined that the owner or operator is still not in compliance, and issued a notice of violation to require corrective actions.
(1) The attorney general, upon the written request of the director, shall bring an action for an injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction against any person violating or threatening to violate section 903.08 of the Revised Code, the terms and conditions of a NPDES permit, the NPDES provisions of a permit to operate, rules adopted under division (E) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code, or an order issued under division (B) of this section.
(2) In lieu of seeking civil penalties under division (A) of this section, the director may request, in writing, the attorney general to bring an action for a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars per violation in a court of competent jurisdiction against any person that has violated or is violating section 903.08 of the Revised Code, the terms and conditions of a NPDES permit, the NPDES provisions of a permit to operate, rules adopted under division (E) of section 903.10 of the Revised Code, or an order issued under division (B) of this section. For purposes of determining the civil penalty to be assessed under division (B) of this section, each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate and distinct violation.
Cite as R.C. § 903.17
903.18 Issuing emergency orders.
(A) Notwithstanding sections 903.16 and 903.17 of the Revised Code, if the director of agriculture determines that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health or safety or the environment, the director may issue an order, without notice or adjudication hearing, stating the existence of the emergency and requiring that action be taken that is necessary to meet the emergency. The order shall take effect immediately. A person to whom the order is directed shall comply immediately, but on application to the director shall be afforded an adjudication hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as soon as possible and not later than thirty days after application. On the basis of the hearing, the director shall continue the order in effect, revoke it, or modify it. The director's order is appealable in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code. No emergency order shall remain in effect for more than one hundred twenty days after its issuance.
(B) A person that is responsible for causing or allowing the unauthorized spill, release, or discharge of manure that requires emergency action to protect public health or safety or the environment is liable to the director for the costs incurred in investigating, mitigating, minimizing, removing, or abating the spill, release, or discharge. Upon request of the director, the attorney general shall bring a civil action against the responsible person or persons to recover those costs. Moneys recovered under this division shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the livestock management fund.
Cite as R.C. § 903.18
903.19 Livestock management fund.
All money collected by the director of agriculture from application fees under sections 903.02, 903.03, 903.07, and 903.08 of the Revised Code, all money collected from civil penalties under sections 903.16 and 903.17 of the Revised Code, and all money collected under division (B) of section 903.18 of the Revised Code shall be deposited in the livestock management fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. Money credited to the fund shall be used solely in the administration of this chapter.
Cite as R.C. § 903.19
903.20 Concentrated animal feeding facility advisory committee.
(A) There is hereby created the concentrated animal feeding facility advisory committee consisting of the directors of agriculture, development, environmental protection, and natural resources and the dean of the college of food, agricultural, and environmental sciences of the Ohio state university, or their designees, as members ex officio, and sixteen members to be appointed by the director of agriculture. Of the appointed members, one shall be an elected local government official whose jurisdiction has a concentrated animal feeding facility located in it at the time that the official is appointed to the committee, one shall be a person who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code, one shall represent the interests of poultry producers, one shall represent the interests of swine producers, one shall represent the interests of dairy farmers, one shall represent the interests of beef cattle producers, one shall represent the interests of sheep producers, one shall represent the interests of drinking water utilities, one shall represent the interests of wastewater utilities, one shall represent the Ohio environmental health association, two shall represent the interests of statewide environmental advocacy organizations, and four shall represent the interests of the public. Prior to making the appointment of the member who is an elected local government official, the director shall solicit a list of suggested candidates from the appropriate statewide associations that represent the interests of local governments. Prior to making an appointment of a member representing the interests of poultry, swine, beef cattle, or sheep producers or dairy farmers, the director shall solicit from the appropriate statewide trade associations a list of suggested candidates to represent the interests of the species category on the committee. The members representing the public shall not be owners or operators of concentrated animal feeding facilities or associated with such facilities by contract.
Not later than thirty days after March 15, 2001, the director shall make appointments to the committee. Of the initial appointments, six shall be for terms ending one year after March 15, 2001, five shall be for terms ending two years after March 15, 2001, and five shall be for terms ending three years after March 15, 2001. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for three years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.
(D) Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to the committee.
Cite as R.C. § 903.20
903.21 [Repealed].
Cite as R.C. § 903.21
Effective Date: 03-16-1982
903.25 Other permits of political subdivisions may not be required.
[Effective 9/29/2015 until 1/1/2016]An owner or operator of an animal feeding facility who holds a permit to install, a permit to operate, or a NPDES permit or who is operating under an operation and management plan, as defined in section 1511.01 of the Revised Code, developed or approved by the chief of the division of soil and water resources in the department of natural resources under section 1511.02 of the Revised Code or by the supervisors of the appropriate soil and water conservation district under section 1515.08 of the Revised Code shall not be required by any political subdivision of the state or any officer, employee, agency, board, commission, department, or other instrumentality of a political subdivision to obtain a license, permit, or other approval pertaining to manure, insects or rodents, odor, or siting requirements for installation of an animal feeding facility.
[Effective 1/1/2016]An owner or operator of an animal feeding facility who holds a permit to install, a permit to operate, or a NPDES permit or who is operating under an operation and management plan, as defined in section 939.01 of the Revised Code, developed or approved by the director of agriculture under section 939.02 of the Revised Code or by the supervisors of the appropriate soil and water conservation district under section 940.06 of the Revised Code shall not be required by any political subdivision of the state or any officer, employee, agency, board, commission, department, or other instrumentality of a political subdivision to obtain a license, permit, or other approval pertaining to manure, insects or rodents, odor, or siting requirements for installation of an animal feeding facility.
Cite as R.C. § 903.25
903.30 Violation of national pollutant discharge elimination system and livestock management duties; prosecution.
(A) No person shall violate or fail to perform any duty required by division (B)(1), (C)(1), (F), (K), or (M)(1) or (2) of section 903.08 of the Revised Code or the NPDES provisions of a permit to operate, violate a rule adopted pursuant to those divisions, or violate an order issued pursuant to those divisions or a term or condition of an NPDES permit issued by the director of agriculture.
(B) No person shall violate or fail to perform any duty required by sections 903.01 to 903.07 of the Revised Code, violate a rule, or violate an order or term or condition of a permit issued by the director under those sections or rules.
(C) The attorney general, upon the written request of the director, shall prosecute any person who violates division (A) or (B) of this section.
Cite as R.C. § 903.30
903.40 Application of manure.
(A) No person, for the purposes of agricultural production as defined in section 905.31 of the Revised Code, shall apply manure obtained from a concentrated animal feeding facility issued a permit under this chapter unless one of the following applies:
(1) The person has been issued a livestock manager certification under section 903.07 of the Revised Code.
(2) The person has been certified under this section to apply the manure by the director of agriculture.
(B) The director shall issue, renew, and deny certifications for the purposes of division (A)(2) of this section in the manner established in sections 905.321 and 905.322 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under the latter section for the certification of fertilizer applicators. Procedures, requirements, and other provisions that are established in those sections and rules apply to the certification of persons under division (A)(2) of this section. For purposes of that application, references in sections 905.321 and 905.322 of the Revised Code to "fertilizer" are deemed to be replaced with references to "manure."
Cite as R.C. § 903.40
(A) Whoever negligently violates division (A) of section 903.30 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. For purposes of this division, notwithstanding division (D) of section 2901.22 of the Revised Code, a person acts negligently when, because of a lapse from due care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that the person's conduct may cause a certain result or may be of a certain nature. A person is negligent with respect to circumstances when, because of a lapse from due care, the person fails to perceive or avoid a risk that such circumstances may exist.
(B) Whoever recklessly violates division (A) or (B) of section 903.30 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
(C) Whoever knowingly violates division (A) or (B) of section 903.30 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony and shall be fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
Cite as R.C. § 903.99