Michigan Court Green-Lights State Regulation of Livestock Manure

A recent court decision has granted Michigan regulators full authority to hold animal agriculture accountable for manure runoff into waterways.

2 minute read

August 28, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Aerial view of large barns and a massive manure lagoon.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are agricultural facilities where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Manure is frequently stored in "lagoons" or tanks before being spread on farm fields as fertilizer. | Aaron / Adobe Stock

A recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling has granted the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy full authority to require industrial animal agriculture to take stronger action to address manure runoff into waterways, according to an article in Great Lakes Now. The decision could have major implications for water quality in the state, which has close to 300 concentrated feeding operations, or CAFOs. Each year, these CAFOs produce most of the 4 billion gallons of untreated urine and feces generated by cows, hogs, chickens and turkeys across the state, reports Keith Schneider.

Discharge from CAFOs, which contains toxic levels of nitrates, phosphorous, and E.coli bacteria, leach into surface and groundwater across Michigan and contribute to the phosphorus pollution that causes toxic algal bloom in Lake Erie. Until now, the agricultural industry, including the Michigan Farm Bureau, has pushed back against stronger regulations, which they say will make it harder for farmers to do business in the state. EGLE has not yet made decisions on next steps, but Great Lakes Now reports it can now take a range of actions. For example, it might require CAFOs to treat manure in wastewater facilities before it’s spread on fields or install sensing and monitoring networks to detect leaks in manure storage takes and lagoons. “And the agency could also require animal agriculture to meet state limits for phosphorus, bacteria, and other pollutants in state waters’ and could limit the number of animals housed in a CAFO,” Schneider writes.

Regardless of next steps, it’s a big win for environmental advocates.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 in Great Lakes Now

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

7 hours ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities