DES MOINES – Counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt and submit a construction evaluation resolution to the DNR between Jan. 1 and 31.
About 87 counties pass a resolution each year, which allows them to review construction permit applications required for larger totally roofed animal feeding operations (confinements).
Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet higher standards for a construction permit than sites in other counties. They must earn points on a master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce effects on the environment and the community.
The Master Matrix development, submittal and approval process allows applicants and county supervisors to discuss options for site selection, facility type and management. The county submits a recommendation to the DNR on the permit application after reviewing the master matrix items the applicant selected.
Counties that participate in the master matrix process may accompany DNR on site visits to proposed locations. The county board of supervisors may also appeal the DNR’s preliminary approval of a permit to the Environmental Protection Commission.
County boards of supervisors may approve the resolutions at any time, but must submit resolutions between Jan. 1 and 31, 2018. Send resolutions to Kelli Book at DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319, email to Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov or fax to 515-725-8201. Sign-ups in January apply to permit applications received from February 2018 through January 2019.
For historical information on counties that adopted resolutions, check the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/afo and search for master matrix.
More information is available from the Iowa State Association of Counties at www.iowacounties.org.