Alabama Certified Animal Waste Vendor

Training 

Module 1.  Introduction to the CAWV Program

 

Do you want to become a Certified Animal Waste Vendor (CAWV) in Alabama?  First ask yourself these questions: 

  • Do I haul or transport animal waste (poultry litter, manure, compost, liquid sludge, etc.) for someone else?
  • Do I spread it on property other than property that I own, rent or control?
  • Do I get paid for performing the above services? 
  • Do I wish to handle animal waste in a responsible manner that will assure protection of Alabama's surface and groundwater quality? 

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, then you may wish to become certified? 

What is a Certified Animal Waste Vendor?

Very simply, a Certified Animal Waste Vendor is a person who is in the business of transporting, storing, and spreading animal waste, has been through this training program, and has been certified by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) 

Certification is strictly voluntary!

There is no "law" or regulations that require certification in order to haul and spread animal waste in Alabama.  However, being certified demonstrates that you have been trained and understand best management practices (BMPs) associated with animal waste management.  Being certified may also give you a slight business advantage over those who are uncertified.  More and more Alabama animal waste and litter producers understand the advantage of doing business with a CAWV and transferring legal liability and record keeping requirements to that CAWV.  However, anyone handling animal waste in Alabama is required to follow best management practices whether they are certified or not. 

Why does Alabama have a CAWV program?

In order to protect water quality, Alabama was the very first state to begin a program of training and certifying those who are in the business of hauling and spreading animal waste for other producers.  Most other states are in the process of starting some type of registration or certification program.  Rather than wait on EPA to tell us what to do, Alabama was proactive in the animal waste management issue by enacting its own AFO/CAFO Rules in 1999/2000.  It is these rules, enforced by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), that establishes the CAWV program. 

These rules were enacted in order for Alabama to be in compliance with the "National Pollution Discharge Elimination System" permitting (NPDES permit).  Simply stated, this is an effort to protect surface and groundwater from discharges from animal feeding operations (AFOs).  

Alabama's AFO/CAFO Rules

Alabama's rules for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) were adopted in 1999 and modified in 2000 and are over 71 pages long.  Within these rules, the CAWV program was established.  The entire AFO/CAFO Rules may be viewed at http://www.aces.edu/department/aawm/CAFORule12100.pdf 

Responsibilities of a CAWV

The following responsibilities are specifically mentioned in the AFO/CAFO Rules.  Most CAWVs will not have to deal with all these responsibilities but those highlighted will be day-to-day responsibilities of every vendor and will be covered in more detail in this training. 

  • accept liability and responsibility for AFO waste
  • obtain continuing education
  • keep required records
  • effectively manage, transport, store, and properly land apply AFO waste
  • follow NRCS best management practices
  • manage animal mortality
  • prevent discharges
  • ensure protection of groundwater and surface water
  • follow AFO/CAFO rules and regulations
  • ensure suitability of each site prior to applying waste
  • proper timing of waste/wastewater application
  • proper calibration of equipment
  • waste/wastewater characterization (testing)
  • soil testing
  • ensure that required inspections are performed
  • ensure that others receiving waste/wastewater are informed of AFO/CAFO rules
  • keep accurate records 

Alabama Cooperative Extension System Circular, ANR-1173, titled "Alabama's Certified Animal Waste Vendor Program: What You Need to Know", describes the program in detail and can be viewed at 

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1176/


Please return to the Course Content page (click>Course Content...> on the Web CT navigation bar at the top of this window) to take the Self Help Test for this Module.