Matrix in place

Iowa's master matrix came into regulatory force March 1 in counties in the state that decided to go along with the new regulations. The matrix passed its legislative review without a hitch the week before. 

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. 

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 Department of Natural Resources (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. 

Although many counties in the state have adopted the regulations, a few have held out, preferring to wait a year for the next sign-up period to see how things work and if they work in the way DNR expects.

The ShelbyCounty board of supervisors, for example, decided to wait a year because it didn't want to discourage the development of livestock facilities in the county. If the matrix ends up being okay to work with, the county would likely adopt the measure next year.

Some hog producers view the matrix as just more regulations, paperwork and hoops to jump through.