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Below are a few key regulatory provisions
and a list of Iowa Department of Natural Resources state and field
offices. For more detailed information, please contact us at 282-0484
or iowacci@iowacci.org.
- Who
must submit a manure management plan (MMP)?
Any hog facility with at least 1,250 hogs (500 animal units) in
total confinement at any one time must submit a manure management
plan to the Department of Natural Resources.
- Who
must apply for a construction permit?
Any hog facility with at least 2,500 hogs (1,000 animal units)
in total confinement at any one time must apply for a construction
permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
- What
is the permitting process?
The factory farm owner must submit their permit application and
MMP to the county Board of Supervisors and the central office
of the Department of Natural Resources. The county scores the
application using the matrix and must send a recommendation on
the permit within 30 days. The Department of Natural Resources
must approve, reject, or ask for more information on the application
within 60 days.
- What
happens if the Department of Natural Resources approves a permit?
The Department of Natural Resources sends an “intent to
permit” letter to the county supervisors. After receiving
this letter, the county has 14 days to appeal the decision to
the Environmental Protection Commission (the DNR’s oversight
board). If the county asks for an appeal, the Environmental Protection
Commission then holds a hearing and votes to approve or overturn
the DNR’s decision.
The Environmental Protection Commission has voted twice in recent
history -- both times involving organizing by Iowa Citizens for
Community Improvement members -- to overturn the DNR’s permit
decisions.
- What
limits exist on where factory farms can spread manure?
Factory farms cannot surface land apply manure within 750 feet
of a residence, business, church, school or public-use area or
within 200 feet of a “designated area” (creeks, rivers,
lakes, wetlands, sinkholes, cisterns, ag drainage wells, ponds,
wells, and surface inlets). If manure is injected or incorporated,
no separation distances apply.
-
What minimum
separation distances are facilities required to meet?
Any facilities constructed on or after March of 2003 are required
to meet greater separation distances than those built before
March 2003. A number of factors determine the separation distance
required including the type of manure storage structure and
the size of the facility.
Click
here for a detailed separation distance chart.
If you believe a factory farm is violating
these regulations, call your Department of Natural Resources field
office and file a written complaint.
STATE OFFICE
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515/281-5385
DNR Director: Richard Leopold
rich.leopold@dnr.state.ia.us
DNR FIELD
OFFICES
Click the link below for the contact information for each of the
DNR's six field offices across the state:
Find
the field office for your area:
http://www.iowadnr.com/fo/fomap.html
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