Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 330 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES › Title 330 CMR 25.00 - Agricultural Composting Program › Section 25.04 - Operation of Registered Agricultural Composting Operations

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
All Registered Agricultural Composting Operations shall comply
				with the following:
(1) The
			 Agricultural Unit shall be secure from illegal dumping of waste
			 materials;
(2) The Applicant shall
			 comply with the Department's Agricultural Composting Guidelines;
(3) The Agricultural Composting Operation
			 shall be conducted in a manner to minimize odors, noise, drift of materials,
			 vectors, and risk to humans or the environment;
(4) The Applicant shall ensure that there is
			 a written Odor Management Plan in place. The Odor Management Plan shall be kept
			 On-site at the Agricultural Composting Operation and available for inspection
			 by the Department upon request;
(5)
			 Upon the Applicant noticing an odor, or upon receipt of a complaint about an
			 odor beyond the property line of the Agricultural Unit from abutters or the
			 Department, the Applicant shall implement the Odor Management Plan;
(6) The Applicant shall maintain accurate
			 records of Compost management as described in the Agricultural Composting
			 Guidelines for at least three years to demonstrate compliance with
			 330 CMR 25.00. The Department
			 reserves the right to request and review such records at any time;
(7) No more than 25% by volume of the total
			 Composting mixture, except for manure which is exempt from 330 CMR 25.04(7),
			 shall be Group 2 Materials;
(8)
			 Adequate and appropriate Bulking Agent or other Organic Materials with a carbon
			 to nitrogen ratio of greater than 30:1 shall be situated on the Agricultural
			 Unit and available to mix with incoming Group 2 Materials;
(9) All materials received for Composting
			 shall be Source Separated;
(10) All
			 Group 2 Materials shall be thoroughly mixed into the Compost windrows or piles
			 to ensure it is unrecognizable as a separate material upon delivery;
(11) The maximum volume of materials,
			 including Compostable Materials, in-process materials, and finished Compost
			 stored on the Agricultural Unit shall be no more than 5,000 cubic yards per
			 acre at any one time;
(12) The
			 maximum volume of materials, including Compostable Materials, in-process
			 materials, and finished Compost stored on the Agricultural Unit shall be no
			 more than 15,000 cubic yards at any one time. This quantity may be increased if
			 the Agricultural Unit can demonstrate need in their Nutrient Management Plan in
			 accordance with
			 330 CMR 31.00:
Plant
			 Nutrient Application Requirements for Agricultural Land and Non-agricultural
			 Turf and Lawns
;
(13)
			 Materials, in their as-received, in-process, or processed condition may not be
			 stored for more than two years from the date of receipt at the operation unless
			 the farm has a plan for land application on the Agricultural Unit;
(14) All materials, buildings, and
			 infrastructure that are part of the Agricultural. Composting Operation shall be
			 located at least 250 feet from a private well, if able to be identified prior
			 to commencement of operations; if unknown or unable to be identified, at least
			 300 feet from a residence; and, in either case, at least 100 feet from a
			 property line. If an Agricultural Composting Operation duly registered with the
			 Department for the past five out of seven years operates on a composting pad
			 constructed of gravel, concrete, or asphalt, then setbacks applicable at the
			 time of pad construction shall be acceptable;
(15) Animal carcasses may not be brought onto
			 any Agricultural Unit where livestock and poultry are kept unless approved, in
			 writing, by the Department's Division of Animal Health; and
(16) The Applicant shall implement practices
			 to ensure the Agricultural Composting Operation does not result in an
			 unpermitted discharge of pollutants to air, water, or other natural resources
			 of the Commonwealth.