IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

May 30, 2003

DNR ISSUES FIRST ANIMAL FEEDING PERMITS UNDER MASTER MATRIX

The DNR issued the first three draft construction permits for animal feeding
operations May 21 using the master matrix, a way to consider environmental
and social factors when siting large permitted confinement feeding
operations.

The master matrix requires producers in 87 participating counties to
meet more stringent requirements than state law normally requires when
applying for a construction permit for a confinement feeding operation.

"The county board of supervisors reviewed and approved each of the
three construction permit applications and the master matrix submitted
by the producers," said Reza Khosravi, acting supervisor of the DNR
animal feeding operations.  'These counties have the right to object to
the draft permit if they act within 14 days," he added.

The draft permits were issued to the following producers:
? Treloar Farms in Chickasaw County,
? Smith Finishing in Louisa County, and
? Wohlford - Vine Site in Franklin County.

The DNR also reviewed the applications and they meet all the
requirements of state law.

A fourth and final permit was issued to V. M. Pork in Mahaska County on
May 21.  The county has lost its right to appeal because it did not
review the application within 30 days after receiving the application.


Once a participating county chooses not to review a construction permit
application, they lose the right to appeal or to use the master matrix
on additional applications for the rest of the year,  Khosravi said.

If the county board decides to review construction permit applications
next year, then it will need to file a resolution with the DNR in
January 2004.

County boards can find assistance for reviewing construction permits on
the DNR website at www.iowadnr.com or by contacting a DNR permit
engineer at 515-281-8941.

To use the master matrix, a producer must earn one-half of the total
points (440 points) and 25 percent of the available points in each
subcategory of air quality, water quality and community impact.  The
producer can gain points by choosing a location far from neighbors and
sensitive areas, or by choosing to use best management practices or
install structures when building a facility.

"Each producer is choosing different items, but all the applications
we've received so far have chosen to use a watering and feeding system
that reduces manure production and to cover the manure by using
under-the-floor pits," Khosravi said.

For more information, contact Wayne Gieselman at 515-281-5817 or at
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