Michigan Farm Bureau, several agricultural organizations, and 163 livestock farms filed an appeal to the Ingham County Circuit Court against more stringent CAFO regulations. The appeal contests a Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) ruling that reversed an administrative law judge’s opinion and reinstated many permit conditions that had been struck down.

The stricter regulations include costly buffer requirements, lower phosphorus application limits for point-source discharges, and winter manure transfer and application restrictions. This situation has been brewing since 2020 when EGLE issued a new CAFO permit that was more complex and burdensome for livestock operators.

This article appeared in the February 2025 issue of Journal of Nutrient Management on page 5.