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 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]