The March EPC meeting had another lively session on air quality, item # 22 on their agenda. The DNR is planning to adopt standards for hydrogen sulfide, odor and ammonia. Next month draft rules will be brought and the process of rulemaking will begin. They also need to establish monitoring. There are plans for two continuous hydrogen sulfide monitors and eight more will be needed. ?Centometers? will be needed as well for measuring odor. The department can take grab samples of ammonia but should be able to do fixed monitoring as well. There will be a need for a science advisory committee. The department will need to gather information to see if standards are necessary. If standards are exceeded, the department will work with producers. If emissions limitations cannot be adopted they could adopt performance standards. Commissioner Hanson expressed his concern that the DNR be sure they know what levels are dangerous and that these levels are exceeded before the DNR takes action. He also expressed his concern that a distinction be made between cattle and hog operations because of a North Carolina study that indicated that hog operations caused elevated symptoms and cattle operations did not. He would like to know if the same standards are needed for both animal operations. It was pointed out that the standards are air quality standards and would apply throughout the state. Commissioner Hanson replied that the question was about enforcement. There was a discussion about the money that would be needed. The two hydrogen sulfide monitors already being set up came from EPA sources. Director Vonk said there is no money for the additional monitors now. He has talked to the infrastructure subcommittee about this. The ?Centometer? is a plastic box with different sized holes. The holes that are covered determines the dilution. Only a certification course is needed to train operators. Commissioner Hanson asked what the process is for evaluating the actual number that will be used for enforcement. He was not able to determine from the university study how the scientists came to their consensus of 70 parts per billion. As more information is gathered, he believes the department should reconsider whether the values are too low or too high. It was pointed out that there are national ambient air quality standards, however, the EPA's process is open to public comment and anyone can submit comments to be considered during the process. The standard in the code says "air quality necessary to protect the public health and welfare." A number of Iowa CCI members spoke on the issue. The first gentleman expressed outrage over his understanding that two years of study would be needed before enforcement could ensue. Director Vonk explained that they are going forward with a rulemaking process, and will come back next month with a proposal to set standards. They are also trying to get the money they need to set up the monitoring required to see if the standards are being exceeded. The ICCI speaker said that Commissioner Hanson would say it is not sound science, and that in the speaker's opinion this University study is sound science. Director Vonk said they don't have the information about whether the standards will be exceeded from day to day. The ICCI speaker said they want something done now and that factory farm folks should not be allowed to influence this process. He, himself, has not had to live next to a problem facility. He is not anti-hog, but ICCI wants hogs to be raised in a healthy, sound way. Commissioner Cook asked a question intended to clarify that the monitors are necessary to measure the pollutants. Director Vonk said if they have a standard and people complain, the department would respond to the complaints and monitors would have to be set up to see if the standards are being exceeded. When they document that levels have been exceeded they will begin to work with the industry to see that there aren't any violations, just as they work with any other violator. Will they be shut down if they continue to violate? The department takes court action and if the only way the polluter can comply is to shut down then they would have to shut down. People are sick right now and how are we going to deal with that? The question went unanswered. Another man for ICCI pointed out that factory farm supporters are fighting against the rules. The university report confirms what ICCI has been saying all along - that factory farms have been making people sick. He asked about the possibility of setting up licensing of the operations to get the money that is needed. Director Vonk said that the department does not have the authority to determine where they will get their funding. You should be working with your legislators to see that it happens. Commissioner Braun mentioned that the money goes into the general fund and the DNR does not have the authority to make the decision to use it for the program. Commissioner Hanson says it makes sense to have a fee to pay for the program. It takes two years to determine if a regulatory program is warranted and 3-5 years to complete it. The odor, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide ambient air standards are enforceable. The ICCI member said he was concerned about the statement about phase two which is to determine if a regulatory program is warranted. The commissioners think this refers to additional standards. Another ICCI member who lives close to the Minnesota border asked if compliance with the new standards would be necessary for all facilities or would some facilities be grand fathered in and not have to comply with the standards. Director Vonk said the standard for air quality will be the standard for air quality and it will be protective of human health. Exceedences may not put the polluters out of business, it may involve a technology to improve what they are doing The ICCI member asked again if compliance issues would be the same statewide, regardless of how long a facility had been there. The DNR response was that the state has to engage in a dialogue with facilities whether or not they are grand fathered. When they violate they are required to make reductions. The lady continued, "I don't think people want to spend their lives coming down here to beg for clean air and water." She mentioned reading that taxpayers have an to contribute to the state. She volunteered to buy two monitors today. Their group could help find the money. ICCI would like to participate as the guidelines are developed. Director Vonk said he doesn't think they need a group to make those decisions and that this would slow the process of forming the rule. Leland Little, a County Supervisor from Taylor County expressed his hope that they would set standards next month and asked if they could set up a website and dedicated telephone number for reporting violations. Many people have stopped complaining because there has been no response. He called for a moratorium on CAFOs over 500 animal units and volunteered to quit his job and go across the state collecting funds for the monitoring and give the department 100% of the money he collects. A lady from Clarke County where Swine Graphics dominates the airwaves talked about how their school fills up with fumes. The coach says the gymnasium is full in the morning and the lunch room is permeated with the odor. Sometimes they can't let the children go outside to play. She said, "We are looking to you folks for help." Peggy Murdock - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]