SECTION 35:18-1-4. Methods of disposal

  A domestic animal carcass may be stored in a freezer until such time as the owner is able to dispose of the carcass in one of the following methods:

(1)   Burial shall be used to dispose of a domestic animal carcass if the soil and site conditions are suitable and if no other reasonable alternative exists.

(A)   Specific measures and practices shall be utilized to protect the ground andsurface waters of the state. The local NRCS office may be available with initial evaluation or an owner may use the NRCS web soil survey tool to perform a desktop site evaluation, but actual site conditions shall be the determining factor when evaluating a site's suitability for burial of a domestic animal carcass.

(B)   Requirements for burial of a domestic animal carcass are as follows:

(i)   Burial of a domestic animal carcass requires the construction of a pit or trench.

(ii)   A burial pit or trench shall not be located closer than one (1) foot vertically above the flood plain or within two (2) feet of the water table or bedrock.

(iii)   A burial pit or trench shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of a well, waters of the state, neighboring residences, public areas, or property lines.

(iv)   A burial pit or trench shall not be located along any stream or ravine where a domestic animal carcass may become exposed through erosion of the soil, or where the land is at any time subject to overflow.

(v)   After placing a domestic animal carcass in a pit or trench, the carcass shall be covered with a minimum of two and one-half (2 ½) feet of soil.

(vi)   A burial pit or trench shall be mounded so water does not pond on the mounded area.

(vii)   A burial pit or trench shall be routinely inspected to add additional soil, if necessary, and to ensure that animals are not scavenging, digging, or dragging away a domestic animal carcass.

(viii)   Surface rainwater shall be directed to flow away or around the burial pit or trench.

(2)   General requirements for composting of a domestic animal carcass are as follows:

(A)   The composting process shall be managed at all times to be practically odorless, prevent fly larvae development, prevent animal depredation and prevent leaching of waste material which may cause water or soil contamination.

(B)   A domestic animal carcass shall be reduced to brittle, easily broken bone after composting.

(C)   A minimal peak temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit shall be achieved during the composting process to produce pathogen free compost.

(3)   A domestic animal carcass shall be disposed of in a self-contained, closed incinerator. An air quality permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality may be required.

(4)   A domestic animal carcass shall be disposed of in a landfill approved to dispose of animal carcasses by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

(5)   A domestic animal carcass shall be disposed of by delivering to a rendering facility within twenty-four (24) hours of death, unless the carcass has been refrigerated or frozen.

[Source: Added at 37 Ok Reg 970, eff 9-14-20]