Manure Regulations / Best Management Practices

Sketch

To begin the Best Management Practices (BMP) process, examine your property or where your livestock is boarded. Make a sketch showing: 

• Bare Ground
• Buildings
• Fences and Confinement Areas
• Property Boundaries
• Septic System and Drain Field
• Weeds and Non -Native and Invasive Plants and Vegetation
• Wells
• Wetlands and Ponds

Also consider areas that are landscaped or pastured, neighboring land uses, ground contours and soil type.

Evaluate the Sketch

Studying the property sketch, think about possible pollution sources. Is there a possibility that animal waste from the property might be entering canals and waterways? Could soil erosion on the property be making its way to neighboring properties or nearby surface waters? Is the pasture pond connected to a nearby canal, lake or wetland? Is the correct fertilizer being used for South Florida soils and semi-tropical environment - and what about pesticide usage, and the current system of waste management?

Ordinance 2012-12 Amended Chapter 30, Article V

Ordinance 2012-12 amended Chapter 30, Article V of Wellington's Code of Ordinances requires that:

• All commercial livestock waste haulers and/or livestock waste self- haulers shall be permitted and registered, as required, annually by Wellington
• All livestock facilities within Wellington boundaries shall remove livestock waste by either a commercial livestock waste hauler or a livestock waste self-hauler that is registered by Wellington or via composting and the implementation of a nutrient management program
• Disposal of livestock waste must be within an approved disposal site which is registered to operate under Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-709320
• Commercial livestock waste haulers and livestock waste self-haulers permits and registrations shall be subject to revocation for failure to abide by the terms of this article

Florida Statue Title XXIX, Chapter 403.413 - "Florida Litter Law"

In addition to Wellington's regulations, livestock waste disposal is governed by Florida Statue Title XXIX, Chapter 403.413 - the "Florida Litter Law." The Florida Litter Law states: Any person who dumps litter in any quantity for commercial purposes, or dumps litter which is a hazardous waste as defined in s. 403703, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office monitors and enforces Florida Litter Law in Wellington and violations could include fines of up to $5,000 and terms of imprisonment up to 5 years. Additionally, waste haulers risk losing their permits if convicted of illegal dumping. The Sheriff's Office cracks-down on illegal dumping means that haulers must be permitted and registered and must dispose of waste at approved sites. 

Currently, there are four approved disposal sites within an hour of Wellington.  These sites charge tipping fees that vary by the cubic yard or by the ton of livestock waste.

It is against the law to use haulers that dump waste at unapproved sites. Please use only permitted and registered waste haulers that dispose of waste at approved sites. Finally, it is against the law to use the green vegetative waste containers for livestock waste disposal. Please use only approved livestock waste containers for livestock waste disposal.