Poultry operations owners need to register

BENTON COUNTY -- The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission and the Benton County Conservation District remind all owners of Poultry Feeding Operations that the annual registration for PFOs began Jan. 1 in accordance with the Arkansas Poultry Feeding Operations Registration Act (Act 1060 of 2003). Registration dates will run through March 31 and affect any PFO with 2,500 or more confined fowl.

The ANRC administers the registration program for the purpose of collecting information on the number and type of poultry and practices of poultry operators in the state. The program is designed to preserve Arkansas' economy and water quality through registration, training and research. The goal of this program is to reduce the overabundance of phosphorus and nitrogen that threaten water resources, while minimizing the impact on fertilizer users.

Each poultry producer will register their operation through the Benton County Conservation District. There will be an annual $10 registration fee per operation payable to that district.

Under Arkansas law, people in the state of Arkansas who own or operate Poultry Feeding Operations where 2,500 or more poultry are housed or confined on any given day will be required to register annually with the Commission and pay a $10 fee for each operation. There are penalties up to $500 for noncompliance.

For information about PFO registration, contact the local Conservation District at 479-273-2633, ext. 3, or call the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission in Little Rock, Patrick Fisk, 501-682-3968.

General News on 01/15/2014