Iowa DNR
Environmental Services Division

June 28, 2002

MAJOR ISSUES EMERGE AT FIRST MEETING ON LIVESTOCK SITING

DES MOINES - Issues that impact the community were the single most
frequently listed risks that the state committee mandated to develop rules
for livestock siting identified at their first meetings on June 26 and 27.

"I was very pleased with the list that we developed during this first work
session, because it included environmental- and community-impact factors,"
said Robin Pruisner, the DNR's representative to the committee.
Overall, the group listed more environmental than social factors, but they
did a nice job of identifying some of the constraints that producers work
under and the potential impacts, both positive and negative, that
communities face when confinements come in, she added.

The committee is charged with developing criteria or risk factors to help
determine if large livestock confinements can be built at a specific
location under provisions of the new livestock law recently passed by the
legislature.

The committee identified 36 issues that fell into the following nine basic
risk categories: ground water, land management, surface water, manure
management, livestock structure, public areas, community impact, economic
impact and miscellaneous.

The committee also identified the information that they need to proceed,
including maps that list water resources and public use areas.

The next meeting will open with one half hour of public comment and
presentations from the DNR, Iowa State University and the University of
Iowa.

Members of the public who wish to comment must make an appointment and will
be limited to five minutes. To make an appointment, contact Christine
Spackman, recorder and environmental program supervisor, at (515) 281-7276
or at [log in to unmask]

The following meeting dates were tentatively set by the committee:

· July 10 and 11
· July 24 and 25
· Aug. 8 and 9
· Aug. 14 and 15, and
· Aug. 21 and 22, if needed.

Updated information including meeting notices, minutes, agendas, press
releases and public comment opportunity will be posted on the DNR website at
http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/epd/wastewtr/feedlot/mmta.htm.

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