Prove efforts, hog farmers told

Sierrans:

This article appeared in the Des Moines Register yesterday, 9/17/02. Thought
you might be interested. It is on the implementation of the new CAFO law we
all helped with last session.

Lyle Krewson




Regulators outline point system for livestock producers to cut pollution

By PERRY BEEMAN
Register Staff Writer
09/17/2002
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Clear Lake, Ia. - People planning large hog confinements should have to
prove they are working to ease air and water pollution and community
disruption before they get state permits, several state environmental
commissioners said Monday.

The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission discussed a draft rule that
would award points to livestock farmers for various actions. The so-called
matrix, part of a crackdown on confinement pollution passed by the
Legislature earlier this year, offers counties a way to review proposals for
new confinements. It will be on the commission's October agenda for a vote.
A series of public hearings will come before final action.

The system will be used by counties reviewing initial plans for confinements
and will be checked by the Department of Natural Resources, which has final
say on permits.

Robin Pruisner of the resources department said the department wants
livestock farmers to score at least half the points possible in the 44-item
review. It also wants the confinement proposer to score a minimum number of
points in three categories: cutting air pollution, easing water pollution
and supporting the community. Among the actions on the list are locating
confinements farther than required from waterways, public places and homes;
feeding hogs phytase to cut the phosphorus in manure; and building
confinements near developers' own homes.

Commissioner Rita Venner of Breda said requiring points in all three
categories is fair. Commissioner Darrell Hanson of Manchester said that
would require producers to think more about how their operations affect the
surrounding area. Terrance Townsend, a commissioner from Newton, agreed.

Audience members weren't so sure. Linus Solberg, a small-scale hog farmer
from Cylinder, said he has lost $30,000 to $40,000 because of hog deaths he
blames on contamination from manure generated at large-scale confinements.

"This matrix system is a joke if you live in rural Iowa," Solberg said.

Buena Vista County Supervisor Jim Gustafson isn't holding his breath for the
first applicant who agrees to build a confinement near his or her own home.

"Nobody puts them on the homestead, because hogs stink," Gustafson said.

Whatever system is approved, confinement builders should be forced to take
actions that will actually help, said Susan Heathcote of the nonprofit Iowa
Environmental Council. "It can't just be window-dressing," she said.

The scoring system must be approved and in place by March 1. An interim
version is in effect.