Animal Agriculture and Water Quality (AAWQ)
Subcommittee of Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee
The first meeting was held in May 2024 at the EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the second meeting was held in August 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Learn more about the AAWQ subcommittee and the nomination process.
Overview of the AAWQ
The goal of the subcommittee will be to provide recommendations that will inform the agency's decisions regarding how to improve the implementation of the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation permitting program to more effectively reduce nutrients and other types of water pollutants from Animal Feeding Operations, including determining whether any revisions to the regulations are warranted, and whether EPA can otherwise support the efforts of AFO operators to protect water quality. The AAWQ Subcommittee will include diverse representation from research institutions, local government, states, environmental and citizen groups, and the agricultural industry across the geographic regions of the United States. On November 16, 2023, the EPA published a FRN inviting nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to serve on the AAWQ Subcommittee of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.
Announcement of Nominees Invited to Serve on the AAWQ
On April 30, 2024, the EPA announced the selection of nominees invited to serve on the AAWQ Subcommittee. The subcommittee’s first meeting was held on May 30-31, 2024, at the EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Meetings
Below you can find information on AAWQ meetings, including the agendas, minutes, and relevant information published on the Federal Register page.
| Date of Meeting | Meeting Documents |
|---|---|
| December 6, 2024 |
Virtual |
| August 8-9, 2024 |
|
| May 30-31, 2024 |
|
Subcommittee Members
James Pritchett (Chair)
Colorado State University
Alexis Andiman
Earthjustice
Mike Callicrate
Ranch Food Direct
Laura DiPietro
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets
Steven Goans
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Teena Gunter
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
Devon Hall
Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help (“REACH”)
Tarah Heinzen
Food & Water Watch
William Higgins
Roeslein Alternative Energy
Chris Hoffman
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Kelly Hunter Foster
Waterkeeper Alliance
Rebecca Joniskan
Indiana State Poultry Association
Keith Larick
North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
William Thomas “Tom” McDonald
Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC
Rick Naerebout
Idaho Dairymen’s Association, Inc.
Kevin Shafer
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Marguerite Tan
National Pork Board
Alicia Vasto
Iowa Environmental Council
Melissa Wilson
University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Kent Woodmansey
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Terron Hillsman*
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service
*Ex-officio / Non-voting
AAWQ Contact
For questions regarding the Animal Agriculture and Water Quality, please send an email to the AAWQ@epa.gov.