EPA SUPPORTS IOWA PLAN FOR OPEN FEEDLOTS

DES MOINES - The DNR received notification this week that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency supports the Iowa Plan for Open Feedlots,
making it clear that the EPA goal is for concentrated animal feeding
operations (CAFO) to achieve compliance with requirements of the 1972 Clean
Water Act as soon as possible.

"To show our support for the open feedlot plan, I will agree to postpone any
routine EPA inspections for CAFOs in Iowa until after May 1, 2001," said
Gale Hutton, director of the EPA's water, wetlands and pesticides division,
in a letter written to DNR.

Hutton also agreed to check with the DNR for registered feedlots, and for
the remainder of 2001, EPA will not perform routine inspections on those
lots, allowing producers to complete the permitting process, including
constructing any necessary controls and operating them properly.

"EPA is not bound by the terms of our plan," said Wayne Gieselman,
coordinator of DNR's animal feeding operations program, "and may inspect
lots in response to complaints or for other cause.

"So the fact that EPA has agreed to bypass registered lots this year is good
news for Iowa producers," added Gieselman.

The Iowa open feedlot plan consists of three parts: voluntary registration
with the DNR, an environmental priority assessment and compliance with
existing federal and state laws, with the goal of having all open feedlots
in compliance within five years.

In return for signing up, producers will have limited amnesty from the DNR
for the following: not having a required permit, minor water quality
violations and routine inspections during 2001.

For more information about the plan, check the Iowa Manure Management Action
Group's website at http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/.

The plan is the result of months of discussion among the DNR, the Iowa
Cattlemen's Association, the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa Dairy Products
Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Iowa State University
Extension, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, the Conservation Districts of Iowa, the Iowa
Environmental Council, the Izaak Walton League and EPA.

For more information, contact Wayne Gieselman, coordinator of DNR animal
feeding operations, at (515) 281-5817.

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