Posted by Jane Clark

Iowa DNR News
Environmental Protection

For immediate release Sept. 18, 2001

EPC APPROVED PERMIT FOR ENVIRON EGGS

DES MOINES - The Environmental Protection Commission supported the DNR staff
position to approve a construction permit for Environ Eggs Production Co. of
Galt.

The commission considered an appeal from the Wright County Board of
Supervisors to deny the permit Monday, but commissioner Darrell Hanson of
Manchester said that they had no grounds to deny it.  To do so would require
proof that the project did not meet requirements of the law and
administrative rules.  The commission did ask for a briefing with DNR and
Environ Egg engineers to consider several technical questions about the
construction permit, including how groundwater lowering will be handled.

Commissioners also upheld the DNR's recommendation to refer Swine Graphics
Enterprises in Clarke County to the Attorney General's office.  Swine
Graphics is alleged to have discharged manure to an unnamed tributary of
White Breast Creek.  The request for referral of Steve Friesth in Fort Dodge
was withdrawn.

In other business, the commissioners approved the final rule that set Sept.
18, 2001, as a deadline to submit required manure management plans and
qualify to apply manure without an approved plan.  Plans submitted after
that date must be reviewed and approved by the DNR before manure can be
spread.

Commissioners also approved the first step for a rulemaking proposal to
define and exempt some small air emission units from permit requirements. It
also defines 'indoor units" for which no permit is required. The DNR worked
with the Association of Business and Industry to develop the rule with
mutual interest in not permitting sources with little environmental or
health consequences.

In other business, the commissioners were updated on tire clean-up projects.
DNR staff pointed out the importance of continuing the clean-up, especially
since West Nile Virus has been discovered in Iowa.

The members of the commission are Terrance Townsend, Chair, Newton; James
Braun, Latimer; Lisa Davis-Cook, West Des Moines; Kathryn Murphy, LeMars;
Rita Venner, Breda; Gary C. Priebe, Algona; Darrell Hanson, Manchester; J.
Kelly Tobin, New Market and Lori Glanzman, Mt. Pleasant.  The director of
the DNR is Jeffrey Vonk.

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