IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

February 27, 2003

LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS MUST PASS MATRIX TO BUILD OR EXPAND
More than 70 Counties have signed up so far.

Proposed confinement feeding operations that need a construction permit from
the DNR also need to pass the master matrix in most Iowa counties starting
March 1, 2003.

The master matrix is a scoring system that can be used by counties to rate
the siting of proposed livestock and poultry confinements that need a
permit.

To pass the matrix, producers must achieve 440 total points and choose how
to address air quality, water quality and community impacts when building or
expanding their operations. Producers in counties that file the resolutions
must meet higher standards than other permitted sites.

Starting March 3, producers can use an electronic form on the DNR website to
calculate their scores.

"This electronic tool is like a recipe that allows you to substitute
ingredients until the producer has the best possible combination for himself
and the county to reduce environmental and community impacts," said Tammie
Krausman, executive assistant with the DNR environmental services.

The largest number of available points comes from choosing a site far from
neighboring residences, businesses and waters.  Producers can also gain
points by adding structures that reduce pollution, using good management
practices and being a good neighbor.

Construction permit applications are required for construction or expansion
of a confinement feeding operation that uses either of the following:

unformed or earthen manure storage, regardless of the size of operation, and
formed manure storage structures such as a below-building pit or a slurry
store, and the animal unit capacity is 1,000 AUs or more.

Counties must file a resolution with the DNR for the matrix to be in effect
and must evaluate all sites filing a construction permit application.  More
than 70 counties had filed the resolution on Feb. 27.

For more information and to see what counties are participating in the
program, check the DNR website at
http://www.state.ia.us/epd/wastewtr/feedlot/masterm.htm.

Contact Karen Grimes at 515-281-5135 for more information.

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