Use this list as a reminder of important environmental compliance dates that you may have to meet. For details on programs, follow the links to get more information. See the links in the "Related Information" box for more information on other regulations that may apply to your agricultural operation. 

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC)

• SPCC Rule Compliance Dates
  • Reminder: May 10, 2013, was the compliance date for farms to prepare or amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans.
  • Oil spills endanger public health, impact drinking water, devastate natural resources, and disrupt the economy. Every effort must be made to prevent oil spills and to clean them up promptly once they occur.
  • The purpose of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule is to help facilities and farms prevent a discharge of oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
  • A key element of the SPCC rule requires farms and other facilities to develop, maintain and implement an oil spill prevention plan, called an SPCC Plan. These plans help farms prevent oil spill, as well as control a spill should one occur.
  • More information from EPA - SPCC for Agriculture

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule 

• Farms with emissions greater than threshold levels must report.  EPA’s analysis of this emission source estimates 100 - 110 of the largest livestock facilities would be required to report at the 25,000 metric tons CO2e per year threshold level.
• Reports are submitted annually and provide data collected during the previous calendar year (i.e., reporting year). Reports are due on March 31 for emissions in the previous calendar year.
• The annual reports are submitted to EPA electronically using an electronic greenhouse gas reporting tool (e-GGRT), which is accessed through the EPA web page noted below.
• More information from EPA - Greenhouse Gas Reporting

Risk Management Plan Rule

• Risk Management Plan (RMP) -The Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule implements Section 112(r) of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. RMP requires facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop a Risk Management Plan. These plans must be revised and resubmitted to EPA every five years.

Worker Protection Standards (WPS)

• Revisions to the Worker Protection Standard
  • The majority of the rule revisions will be effective on January 2, 2017
  • EPA is implementing stronger protections for the nation’s two million agricultural workers and their families working on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. These revisions to the 1992 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard will afford farmworkers similar health protections that are already afforded to workers in other industries.

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