Document 2qDYw868BzD6VjBdXjjNdYDQN

Hansford County Feeders Inspection Date 03/04/2025 Region 6 - Enforcement & Compliance Assurance Division INSPECTION REPORT Inspection Date(s): Media Program: Regulatory Program(s) 03/04/2025 Water CWA, NPDES, CAFO Company Name: Facility Name: Facility Physical Location: (city, state, zip code) Mailing address: (city, state, zip code) County/Parish: Facility Phone Number Facility Contact: Hansford County Feeders Hansford County Feeders 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Spearman, TX 79081 13800 CR 19 Spearman, TX 79081 Hansford (806) 270-1337 Dustin Mackie Dustin@HCFLP.com Manager Facility Registry ID: Identification/Permit Number: Media Identifier Number: NAICS: SIC: N/A TKG920440 N/A 112112 0211 Personnel participating in inspection: Lucas Bomar EPA/6ECAD-WA Dustin Mackie Hansford County Feeders Inspector(lead) Manager EPA Lead Inspector Signature/Date LUCAS BOMAR Date: 2025.04.17 15:02:43 -05'00' Digitally signed by LUCAS BOMAR Lucas Bomar Date Supervisor Signature/Date ANTHONY LOSTON Date: 2025.04.21 05:50:59 -05'00' Digitally signed by ANTHONY LOSTON Anthony Loston Date 6ENFORM-019-R8.2 (02/12/2020) 1 Hansford County Feeders Inspection Date 03/04/2025 Section I - INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE INSPECTION EPA Region 6 inspector Lucas Bomar arrived at Hansford County Feeders the "Site" or "Facility" located at 13800 CR 19 Spearman, TX 79081 at 10:00AM, on March 04, 2024, for an unannounced inspection. Inspector met with Mr. Dustin Mackie (Manager) at the Opening Conference. Inspector presented their credentials to Mr. Mackie and informed him that this was an EPA inspection to determine the facility's compliance status with the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations as authorized by Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 308. The scope of the inspection included a compliance evaluation of the facility's site operations and record keeping required in their TCEQ CAFO general permit. The government vehicle was parked in the parking lot outside the facility office and the inspection was performed in a company vehicle. Inspector wore boot covers. Inspector was accompanied by the manager. FACILITY DESCRIPTION The receiving water body for this facility is the Palo Duro Reservoir. At the time of the inspection, the manager reported that they had around 80,000 head of beef cattle in confinement. According to the permit, the facility is permitted for 135,000 animals. These animals are housed in open lot pens. These pens are cleaned via scraping using a front loader which is done as needed. Lot scrapings are then stockpiled before being hauled off site by 3rd party farmers. The facility utilizes five retention control systems comprised of drainage channels, settling catch basins and nine retention control structures (RCS): RCS 1, RCS 2, RCS 3, RCS 4, RCS 5, RCS 6, RCS 7, RCS 8, and RCS 9. Retention Control System 1 is made up of RCSs 1-3 with a required capacity of 49.27 ac/ft and total drainage of 146.67 acres. Retention Control System 2 is made up of RCSs 4-6 with a required capacity of 133.21 ac/ft and total drainage of 365 acres. Retention Control System 3 is RCS 7 with a required capacity of 67.24 ac/ft and total drainage of 162 acres. Retention Control System 4 is RCS 8 with a required capacity of 28.25 ac/ft and total drainage of 67.5 acres. Retention Control System 5 is RCS 9 with a required capacity of 52.63 ac/ft and total drainage of 128 acres. RCS 8 can transfer to RCS 7 via pumps. Wastewater is routed from pens to retention control systems and RCSs via drainage channels and gravity flow. Additionally, the facility land applies wastewater effluent to six potential land management units (LMU): LMU 1 also named LMU 83 east, LMU 2 also named LMU 83 west, LMU 3 also named LMU 82 east, LMU 4 also named LMU 82 west, LMU 5 also named LMU 79 east, and LMU 6 also named LMU 79 west. The land area for each land management units are as follow: LMU 1 has 121 acres, LMU 2 has 121 acres, LMU 3 has 59 acres, LMU 4 has 59 acres, LMU 5 has 297 acres, and LMU 6 has 311 acres. A center pivot irrigation system is used to apply and irrigates each land management units in a circular pattern around a central pivot point. The mechanical system involves a long pipeline that rotates around this central point, applying wastewater evenly over a large land area. Finally, the deaths of animals within Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (mortalities) are hauled off by county services as needed and commodities are stored in covered silage bunkers and grain silos. Section II - OBSERVATIONS Hansford County Feeders has the requirements to meet the large CAFO regulatory definition. It was raining with strong winds during the entirety of the inspection. The open lot pens were clean and without any visible manure piles inside the pens. All manure stockpiles on site were within the drainage of an RCS (Appendix 1, Photos 3 & 8). All the berms on site were in good condition. Drainage channels were properly routing runoff to the RCSs with the heavy rain event during the inspection without any signs of problems (Appendix 1, Photos 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, & 13). All records required by the permit were present on site at the time of the inspection. The Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) was prepared by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) and most recently updated on 09/27/2024. A calculation of the agronomic rate was done using the facilities land application data sheets (LADS) and determined that the facility was properly applying wastewater to their LMU 4 for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 crop year. A check of the lagoon designs and as-builts showed adequate storage for the production area and 25-year/24-hour rain event. The lagoons and settling basins are all clay lined and certified. Infiltration tests were all shown to be above the 2 Hansford County Feeders Inspection Date 03/04/2025 minimum requirement of hydraulic conductivities no greater than 110-7 centimeters per second. The most recent 5year evaluation of the RCSs was conducted on 02/08/2021 by Benjamin Weinheimer of TCFA. A visual check of the lagoons was conducted and there was adequate freeboard, pole markers, lack of erosion, no solids overloading, and no evidence of unauthorized discharge. However, some RCSs had no fences present (Appendix 1, Photos 10, 14, 15, & 16) (see Areas of Concern 1). No other potential issues were found during the inspection. Section III - AREAS OF CONCERN 1) There is a lack of fencing for some of the RCSs. Part III.A.10.(f)(2) of the TPDES CAFO General Permit requires "Liners must be protected from animals by fences or other protective devices." There were no areas of concern at the time of the inspection. EPA Region 6 inspector conducted a closing conference for the Hansford County Feeders inspection at approximately 11:55AM on March 04, 2025. During the closing conference, the inspector reviewed findings with the Mr. Mackie. Section IV - FOLLOW UP No follow up with the facility has occurred since the time of the inspection. Section V - LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Inspection Photo Log - Utilized sixteen (16) photos of the facility taken 03/04/2025 3 Hansford County Feeders Inspection Date 03/04/2025 Appendix 1 Photograph Log UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 1 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010969.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:20AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Drainage channel that receives runoff from pens. Enters settling basin. The culvert connects to RCS7. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 2 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010970.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:23AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Settling catch basin near the northwest pens. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 3 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010971.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:23AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: RCS 7. On the other side of the catch basin. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 4 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010972.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:27AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Open lot pen drainage channel. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 5 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010973.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:27AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Catch basin. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 6 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010974.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:27AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View of RCS 8. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 7 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010975.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:31AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the east. Berm and drainage channel on northeast side of pens that drains to RCS 9. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 8 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010976.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:31AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the west. Opposite direction of drainage channel from photo 7. Manure stockpile within drainage. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 9 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010977.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:33AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Drainage channel from pens. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 10 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010978.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:33AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: Settling basin next to RCS 9. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 11 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010979.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:39AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the southwest. View of RCS 6 on the southern end of the facility. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 12 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010980.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:39AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the east. Slope graded to RCS 6 from pens on the southern edge of the facility. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 13 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010981.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:42AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the south. Drainage channel on east side of pens. Outfall is RCS 6. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 14 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010982.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:46AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the northeast. Southwest pens draining to RCS system 1. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 15 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010983.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:46AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the southwest. View of RCS 2. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Photo No. 16 Location: 13800 CR 19 (36.312, -101.300) Hansford County Feeders City: Spearman County/Parish: Hansford State: Texas Photo File Name: R0010984.JPG Date of Photo: 03/04/2025 Time of Photo: 11:46AM Photographer: Lucas Bomar Description: View to the southwest. View of RCS 2 and RCS 1 in sequence via gravity flow.