DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                           ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION

                            BODIES OF DEAD ANIMALS


(By authority conferred on the department of agriculture  by  section  27  of 
1982 PA 239, MCL 287.677)


R 287.651   Definitions.
   Rule 1.  As used in these rules:
   (a)  "Afterbirth" means fetal fluids, placenta, and fetal mortality.
   (b)  "Animal process operation" is a place where animals or animal tissues 
may accumulate in a non-production (no multiple-day care and feeding) setting 
such as a butcher shop, slaughter  facility,  taxidermist,  road  commission, 
veterinary clinic, or market collection point.
   (c)  "Animal production operation" generally described as a "farm,"  means 
an operation where animals under common ownership or management receive  care 
and feeding for the production of food co-products, or pleasure.
   (d)  "Finished" compost means  ready  for  final  utilization  as  a  soil 
amendment, plant fertilizer, or rooting medium.  Finished  compost  shall  be 
dark, humus-like with little odor, and free of any animal soft tissue.
   (e)  "Forced aeration" means air is pushed or pulled through compost using 
a blower and perforated ductwork (within the compost or in the floor or walls 
surrounding the compost) to speed the composting process.
   (f)   "In-vessel"  means  composting  within  a  container,  using  forced 
aeration by mechanical turning (rotating drum).
   (g) "Leachate" means any liquid that may drain from compost.
   (h) "NRCS" means Natural Resources  Conservation  Service  of  the  United 
States Department of Agriculture.
   (i)  "Passive  aeration"  means  air  exchange  within  the  compost  pile 
accompanies heat release with fresh air pulled into the lower portion of  the 
pile as heat pulls gases out of the upper portion of piles.
   (j)  "Restaurant grease" means animal or vegetable oils and fats that have 
been used or generated as a result of the preparation of food by a restaurant 
or other establishment that prepares or cooks food for  human  consumption.
Restaurant grease does not include trap grease, interceptor grease, or  other 
contents of grease traps or interceptor traps.
   (k)  "Site" means the location on premise where composting occurs.
   (l)  "Specifically designed  container  truck"  means  a  truck  or  other 
vehicles designed or modified and constructed to haul individual  leak  proof 
containers.
   (m)  "Surface waters" means the definition in R 287.651(1)(o)(i)-(viii).
   (n)  "Trap grease," also referred to as "interceptor  grease,"  means  any 
restaurant grease skimmed, filtered, separated, or  otherwise  captured  from 
wastewater before discharge.
   (o)  "Waters of the state" means  all  of  the  following,  but  does  not 
include drainage ways  and  ponds  used  solely  for  wastewater  conveyance, 
treatment, or control:
   (i)  The great lakes and their connecting waters.
   (ii)  All inland lakes.
   (iii)  Rivers.
   (iv)  Streams.
   (v)  Impoundments.
   (vi)  Open drains.
   (vii)  Other surface bodies of water within the confines of the state.
   (viii)  Groundwater.

  History:  1995 AACS; 2007 AACS.


R 287.651a  Adoption of standards by reference.
   Rule 1a.  The following standards are adopted by reference in these  rules 
and are available for inspection, and may be obtained without cost, from  the 
Michigan Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry Division, P.O. Box 30017, 
Lansing, Michigan, 48909.  The rules may also be obtained at no cost from the 
sources listed below:
   (a)  The Natural Resources Conservation Service 635  Wastewater  Treatment 
Strip Conservation Practice Standard, Date September, 2006, is  available  at 
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Standards/nhcp.html or  Natural  Resources 
Conservation Service, Attention: Conservation Communications Staff, P.O.  Box 
2890, Washington, DC 20013.
   (b)  The Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices for Nutrient 
Management, as specified in 1981 PA 93, as amended, MCL 286.471 et  seq.,  is 
available  at  http://michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1567_1599_1605---,00.html 
or Michigan Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI  48911 .
   (c)  The Natural Resources Conservation Service 313 Waste Storage Facility 
Conservation       Practice       Standard       is       available        at 
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/Standards/nhcp.html or  Natural  Resources 
Conservation Service, Attention: Conservation Communications Staff, P.O.  Box 
2890, Washington, DC 20013.
   (d)  The Michigan Animal Tissue Composting Operational Standards, Michigan 
State University and Natural Resources Conservation Service, September, 2006, 
is                                available                                at 
http://www.canr.msu.edu/dept/ans/community/people/rozeboom_dale.html or Swine 
Nutrition &  Production  Management,  2209I  Anthony,  Department  of  Animal 
Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1225.

  History: 2007 AACS.


R 287.652   Disposal of dead animals and residue from burning process of dead 
animals.
   Rule 2.   (1)   Dead  animals,  excluding  restaurant  grease,  buried  in 
individual  graves  shall  be  in  compliance  with  all  of  the   following 
requirements:
   (a)  The dead animal shall not come in contact with waters of the state.
   (b)  The number of individual graves per acre shall not be more  than  100 
and the total combined animal weight shall not be more than 5 tons per acre.
   (c)  Individual graves shall be separated by a minimum of 2 1/2 feet.
   (d)  A grave shall  not  be  located  within  200  feet  of  any  existing 
groundwater well that is used to supply potable drinking water.
   (e)  The owner of the land has authorized the placement of the dead animal.
   (2)  Dead animals, excluding restaurant grease, buried in a  common  grave 
shall be in compliance with all of the following requirements:
   (a)  Dead animals in a common grave shall be covered with at least 1  foot 
of soil within 24 hours of burial.
   (b)  A common grave shall not remain open for more than 30 days and  shall 
receive not less than 2 feet of soil as final cover.
   (c)  Dead animals shall not come into contact with waters of the state.
   (d)  The total weight of dead animals in common graves shall not  be  more 
than 5,000 pounds per acre, and if there is more  than  1  common  grave  per 
acre, each common grave within that acre shall be separated by a  minimum  of 
100 feet.
   (e)  A common grave shall be located not  less  than  200  feet  from  any 
existing groundwater well that is used to supply potable drinking water.
   (f)  The owner of the land  has  authorized  the  placement  of  the  dead 
animals.
   (3)  By written request, an exemption to the total number of individual or 
graves per acre or the total weight of carcasses in an individual  or  common 
grave may be granted by the director upon concurrence with  the  director  of 
the department of natural resources.
   (4)  Residue from the burning process of dead animals may be  land-applied 
at agronomic rates or properly disposed of in  a  landfill  licensed  by  the 
department of natural resources under the solid waste management act, 1978 PA 
641, MCL 299.401.
   (5)  If the director suspects that the disposition of dead animals, or the 
residue from dead animal incineration would produce a source of toxicological 
contamination that represents a threat to the health of humans or animals  or 
a toxicological threat to the environment, the director may require that  the 
dead animal or animals, or the residue from the dead animal incineration,  be 
disposed of in a manner determined by the director. The cost of the  disposal 
shall be the responsibility of the owner.

  History:  1995 AACS; 2007 AACS.


R  287.653   Vehicles licensed  for  transportation  of  dead  animals  or
  restaurant grease.
  Rule 3. (1) A vehicle licensed for the transportation of  dead  animals  or 
restaurant grease shall conform to both of the  following  specifications:
  (a) The parts of the licensed vehicle that come  in   contact   with   dead 
animals or restaurant grease shall be  made  of   impervious   material   and 
shall be constructed to prevent leakage or seepage of   any   material   from 
the vehicle.
  (b) Except for specifically designed container trucks, the  body   of   the 
licensed vehicle shall be  designed  to  prevent  public   viewing   of   the 
truck's contents.
  (2) All dead animals or  restaurant  grease  hauled   in   a   specifically 
designed container truck shall be enclosed in a leakproof container.
  (3) Each container containing dead animals or restaurant  grease  shall  be 
individually covered or a covering or tarpaulin approved  by   the   director 
shall be carried and used to completely  cover  all   containers   when   the 
vehicle is loaded.
  (4) Any container, item of equipment, covering,  or   tarpaulin   used   in 
connection  with  the  handling  or  transportation  of   dead   animals   or 
restaurant grease shall be kept clean and properly disinfected.
  (5) If a licensed vehicle has been used to haul or  handle   dead   animals 
which have died or which have been killed as a result of  a   contagious   or 
infectious disease, the vehicle shall be cleaned  and   disinfected,   in   a 
manner approved by the  director,  at  the  point   of   destination   before 
proceeding further.
  (6) Each licensed vehicle used to transport dead  animals   or   restaurant 
grease shall display  a  decal  sticker  issued  by   the   department.   The 
location for affixing the decal on the vehicle shall be   the   lower   right 
corner of the exterior surface of the door on the passenger   side   of   the 
vehicle. The location for affixing the decal on trailing units  shall  be  on 
the exterior and the lower right corner as near the front as possible.

  History:  1995 AACS.


R  287.654   Licensed facilities.
  Rule 4. (1) Except for approved escapes for steam,  all   tanks,   cookers, 
boilers,  driers,  and  condensers  shall  be  airtight.   Steam   shall   be 
controlled in a manner that  does  not  constitute  a   public   or   private 
nuisance or pose a threat to the health of the public or animals.
  (2) The facility shall be constructed for the purpose intended and shall be 
maintained and kept in proper repair at all times.
  (3) Licensed facilities shall have all of the following:
  (a) Floors and walls constructed  of  a  material  that   can   be   easily 
cleaned and disinfected.
  (b) Floors that have adequate surface drainage so that  liquids  will   not 
collect or create standing pools.
  (c) An adequate supply of running hot water for cleaning purposes.
  (d) Properly equipped storage facilities for raw and  finished  product  to 
prevent access by birds, vermin, or other animals.
  (e) Loading and  unloading  docks  and  platforms   constructed   so   that 
drainage is adequate and natural precipitation will not  collect  or   create 
standing pools.
  (f) Equipment necessary to maintain the facility in a  clean  and  sanitary 
condition, including insect and pest control equipment.
  (4) The floor space and equipment in a licensed facility  shall   be   kept 
clean and free of accumulations of filth and debris.
  (5) Sewers and drains shall be kept  in  appropriate   working   order   to 
ensure proper drainage.
  (6) All processing of dead animals shall be  done   within   the   licensed 
facility.
  (7) Accumulations of dead animals shall not create a  public   or   private 
nuisance or health hazard.
  (8) Odors in and around licensed facilities  shall  not   be   allowed   to 
create a public or private nuisance.
  (9) Licensed facilities shall have odor control equipment,  which  shall be 
approved by the director, available on the premises.
  (10) Dead animals shall be  stored  indoors  on   floors   constructed   of 
concrete or other material approved by the director.
  (11) The contents of the digestive tract and manure shall not be allowed to 
accumulate on the premises of any licensed facility  for  more  than  6  days 
and shall be disposed of in  a  manner  that  does  not   create   a   public 
nuisance or health hazard or endanger the health of livestock.
  (12) The contents of the digestive tract  shall  be   stored   in   covered 
containers that do not leak.
  (13) The rendering and  processing  of  all  dead   animals   at   licensed 
facilities shall be by a process approved by the director.
  (14) Effluent disposal and waste disposal from a licensed facility shall be 
in a manner approved by  state   and   federal   agencies   responsible   for 
regulating effluent and waste disposal.

  History:  1995 AACS.


R  287.655   Composting.
   Rule 5.  (1)   Unless  otherwise  approved  by  the  director,  composting 
methods shall accommodate only normal daily natural  mortality  under  common 
ownership, and be designed with  capacity  for  both  active  composting  and 
curing.
  (2)  Active composting consists of all of  the following:
  (a)  Organic materials.
  (b)  Aeration and moisture management.
  (c)  Heat production.
  (d)  Repeated temperature patterns.
  (3)  Bulking agent is a material added to  compost  to  provide  nutrients, 
decrease bulk density, promote aeration, and remove heat.  Bulking agent also 
means amendment, medium, carbon source, and feedstock.  Any of the  following 
may be used as compost bulking agents:
   (i)  Dried grass.
   (ii)  Hay.
   (iii)  Chopped straw.
   (iv)  Chopped corn stover.
   (v)  Chopped bean stover.
   (vi)  Unpainted wood chips that do not have additives or preservatives.
   (vii)   Unpainted  shredded  bark  that  does  not   have   additives   or 
preservatives.
   (viii)  Sawdust which is unpainted and which does not  have  additives  or 
preservatives.
   (ix)  Leaves.
   (x)  Grass clippings.
   (xi)  Grain hulls.
   (xii) Poultry litter or litter cake.
   (xiii)  Animal manure solids.
   (xiv)  Waste animal feeds.
   (xv)  Finished or cured compost.
   (xvi)  A mixture of any  of  the  recommended  bulking  agents  listed  in 
subdivisions (i) to (xvii) of this subrule.
   (xviii)  Other, as approved by the director.
   (4)  Curing is the period of time  after  active  composting  for  further 
decomposition at a  slow  rate.   Less  intense  heat  production  and  lower 
temperatures will be sustained during curing.
   (5)  In response to a written request, the use of composting methods other 
than as specified in this rule and  the  Michigan  Animal  Tissue  Composting 
Operational Standard (MSU and NRCS), as adopted by reference in  R  287.651a, 
may be permitted by the director.
   (6)  One or more of the following methods of composting shall  be  used:
Passive, forced, and (or) active aeration may be used with each method.
   (a)  Open pile.
   (b)  Bin.
   (c)  Windrow.
   (d)  In-vessel.
   (e)  Other, as approved by the director.
   (7)  In addition  to  the  2  cubic  feet  of  primary  poultry  composter 
capacity, a minimum of 2 cubic feet of secondary composter capacity shall  be 
provided for each pound of poultry to be composted.  The composting structure 
shall be constructed and maintained to withstand structural damage caused  by 
active composting and equipment used for compost aeration and movement.   Any 
structural damage to the structure shall be repaired before it is used  again 
for active composting.
   (8)  Poultry compost surface runoff shall be  routed  around  the  poultry 
composting site.  The  site  for  composting  shall  maintain  the  following 
minimum isolation distances:
   (a)   Two  hundred  feet  from  waters  of  the  state  as  defined  in  R 
287.651(1)(o)(i)-(viii).
   (b)  Two feet above the seasonal high water table, as defined by NRCS  313 
Waste  Storage  Facility  Conservation  Practice  Standard,  and  adopted  by 
reference in R 287.651a.
   (c)  Two hundred feet from any well.
   (d)  Two hundred feet from nearest non-farm residence.
   (9)  The composting site shall be selected and/or graded to direct surface 
runoff away from the  compost  site  and  prevent  effluent  from  contacting 
surface waters.
   (10)  For an animal production operation  accumulating  more  than  20,000 
pounds of mortality annually or any animal process operation,  regardless  of 
composting method, composting shall be done in compliance with the following:
   (a)  All active, finished, curing, and cured compost at the site shall  be 
located in or on, 1 or both of the following:
   (i)  On an improved surface, as defined by NRCS 313 Waste Storage Facility 
Conservation Practice Standard, and adopted by reference in R 287.651a,  (see 
section on "Liners") and designed to withstand  anticipated  loads  from  the 
equipment used for placement, aeration, and movement of compost.
   (ii)  In an in-vessel system.
   (b)  All effluent generated and runoff events during active composting and 
curing, not retained in the compost, shall be managed in a manner  consistent 
with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and with at least 1 of the 
following:
   (i)  Reintroduced into compost piles.
   (ii)  Collected and stored in a storage facility with a liner  that  meets 
the criteria defined in NRCS 313 Waste Storage Facility Conservation Practice 
Standard and adopted by reference  in  R  287.651a,  and  utilized  for  crop 
production in accordance  with  the  recommendations  in  Generally  Accepted 
Agricultural Management Practices for Nutrient Management, as established  in 
1981 PA 93, MCL 286.471.
   (iii)  Diverted to a treatment system meeting the  criteria  in  NRCS  635 
Wastewater Treatment Strip Conservation Practice  Standard,  and  adopted  by 
reference in R 287.651a.
   (iv)  Disposed of in accordance with 1969 PA 136, MCL 323.271.
   (v)  Other methods, as approved by the director.
   (11)  For an animal production operation  accumulation  less  than  20,000 
pounds of mortality annually, composting may be done without a  structure  or 
vessel provided the following conditions are met:
   (a)  A new composting site  shall  be  selected  for  use  annually.   The 
following shall apply:
   (i)  Use of the current year's site may  continue  until  the  compost  is 
finished, but not more than 2 years from the time of the  first  dead  animal 
addition, at  which  time  the  finished  compost  must  be  disposed  of  in 
accordance with Rule 5(10).
   (ii)  No new tissue shall be added to a site after 1 year from  the  first 
dead animal addition.
   (iii)  A new site may be immediately adjacent to a previous site.
   (iv)  A previous site shall not be reused within a 10-year period of time.
   (b)  A new site shall be on land used in crop rotation.
   (c)  A new site shall not be directly above subsurfacing drains or tile.
   (12)  Active composting shall maintain all of the following:
   (a)  Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio minimum of 15:1.
   (b)  Moisture content, range of 40% to 60%.
   (c)  At least  1  reading  of  a  temperature  greater  than  130  degrees 
Fahrenheit after the initiation of a batch with the temperature measured at a 
depth of one foot into the compost once weekly.  A temperature reading  shall 
be conducted twice per week for a rotating drum, continuous  flow,  in-vessel 
system.
   (i)  The following conditions shall be met for active composting:
   (A)  Composting temperature may remain in a range of 100  to  150  degrees 
Fahrenheit for several weeks.
   (B)  Properly timed aeration and (or) moisture alterations.
   (ii)  Each batch of animal tissue compost must undergo a minimum of 3 heat 
cycles of active composting before final utilization.
    (iii) A static  compost  pile  may  be  aerated  passively,  by  periodic 
agitation, mixing or turning, or by using forced aeration.
   (13)  A person shall manage the composting process in compliance with  the 
guidelines described in the Michigan  Animal  Tissue  Composting  Operational 
Standards, as adopted by reference in R 287.651a, and all of the following:
   (a)  The composting process shall be managed in batches.  Composting shall 
involve controlled active and curing phases, temperature-based aeration,  and 
a planned end point of not more than 2 years from the time of the first  dead 
animal addition to a batch.  Complete curing is  not  required.   Compost  is 
considered finished based on its planned use as a soil amendment  or  rooting 
medium, and its aesthetic acceptability.  In the  context  of  animal  tissue 
composting, finished  and  cured  are  different  terms.   Compost  shall  be 
finished; however, complete curing is not required.
   (b)  Dead animals shall be added to the  compost  batch  within  24  hours 
following death.
   (c)  Afterbirth may be stored in closed impervious containers and shall be 
added to the batch within 3 days of initiating container use.
   (d)  Initially, the compost pile or windrow shall be  constructed  with  a 
base of dry absorbent bulking agent that is at least 1 foot deep  before  any 
dead animal is added for composting.  A base depth of 2 feet  shall  be  used 
for dead animals of greater than 600 pounds body weight.
   (e)  Dead animals shall not be placed in the pile or windrow closer than 6 
inches to any edge or wall.
   (f)  Dead animals shall be covered by a minimum of  6  inches  of  bulking 
agent and not be exposed.
   (g)  Pieces of hide remaining at the completion of curing shall be removed 
and added to a new active compost batch or shall be disposed of under section 
21, 1982 PA 239, MCL 287.671, before the compost may be sold  or  transferred 
or applied to crop land.
   (h)  Large bones of mature animals remaining at the completion  of  curing 
shall be crumbled during the mechanical  spreading  process  or  removed  and 
added to a new active compost batch, or disposed of under section 21, 1982 PA 
239, MCL 287.671, before the compost may be sold or transferred or applied to 
crop land.
   (i)  Flies, rodents, pests, vermin,  and  other  scavengers  or  predators 
shall be controlled so as not to disrupt the compost piles  or  constitute  a 
risk or health hazard to human or animal populations.
   (j)  Odors shall be controlled in  accordance  with  the  Michigan  Animal 
Tissue Composting  Operational  Standards,  as  adopted  by  reference  in  R 
287.651a.
  (14)  The disposition of finished compost may be by direct  application  to 
soils, sale, or other transfer of ownership.  Application to soils  shall  be 
done in accordance with the recommendations  within  the  generally  accepted 
agricultural and management practices for nutrient management as specified in 
1981 PA 93,  MCL 286.471.
   (15)  In the interest of public health or animal health, the director  may 
require that any compost be tested at a laboratory approved by  the  director 
for certain pathogenic organisms or any contaminant at any  time  before  the 
compost leaves the composing site.
   (16)  Composting dead animals shall not be  removed  from  the  composting 
site, except as finished compost, unless the dead animal is  disposed  of  in 
accordance with section 21 of 1982 PA 239, MCL 287.671.
   (17)  The owner or operator of the composting site shall keep records  for 
5 years containing the following  information  and  shall  make  the  records 
available to the director immediately upon request:
   (a)  The start date of each compost batch.
   (b)  The approximate weight, maturity, and  species  of  dead  animals  or 
afterbirth added each time an addition is made and the dates  the  tissue  is 
added to new compost batches.
   (c)  The temperature of each batch measured weekly, shall be  taken  at  a 
minimum of 1 foot deep into the compost.
   (d)  The date compost is mechanically aerated shall be recorded.
   (e)  The final disposition of  finished  compost,  including  the  method, 
destination, date, and volume for the batch.
   (18)  A contingency plan to remedy problems and ensure the proper disposal 
of dead animals shall be kept at the  compost  site.   The  contingency  plan 
shall include all of the following information:
   (a)  A list of the following:
   (i)  The location of telephone numbers for and emergency numbers  for  the 
police, the fire department, and medical aid.
   (ii)  The person or persons responsible for the composting operation.
   (b)  An action plan for all of the following emergencies:
   (i)  Fire.
   (ii)  Wind.
   (iii)  Flood.
   (c)  Plans for the proper disposition of dead  animals  if  composting  is 
temporarily or permanently terminated.

  History:  1995 AACS; 2007 AACS.


R 287.656   Rescinded.

 History: 1999 AACS; 2007 AACS.