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DNR: Strengthen CAFO Rules in Iowa

DNR’s proposed rules for feedlots do not protect groundwater and drinking water sources from pollution, especially in karst terrain. Submit your comments now telling DNR to strengthen the rules.

In 2021, IEC petitioned for new rules to protect sensitive Iowa waters from feedlot pollution. We requested that the Environmental Protection Commission adopt rules to require water pollution monitoring systems, consideration of environmental factors before approval, and increased separation distance from karst terrain for new feedlots. Now, DNR is proposing changes to the rules – but not fulfilling what IEC requested.

Karst terrain is one of the most pollution-sensitive natural features in Iowa, because porous bedrock leads to many surface water and groundwater connections. Manure containing bacteria, nitrate, and phosphorus is more likely to pollute water in karst topography than in other places. As a result, there are serious environmental and public health risks to building animal feeding operations on karst terrain. 

To protect Iowa’s drinking water, Outstanding Iowa Waters, and other waters of the state, the Commission must adopt rules requiring consideration of environmental factors before approving feedlots and greater separation from karst terrain for new construction. Taking these steps can avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in pollution costs for Iowans.

We also need to reduce over-application of manure. The proposed rules would change the current approach, which results in pollution of Iowa’s groundwater and surface water with nitrate and phosphorus. The method in the proposed rules reflect current science of the nutrients a crop can actually use, which could achieve significant improvements in water quality.  Making manure plans electronic would allow DNR to use its limited resources to evaluate whether operators are complying with requirements.

Please use the email form at right to submit your comments to the DNR by Friday, June 16.

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DNR

Subject: AFO Rulemaking

Message:

Dear DNR, The DNR has a legal duty to prevent and control water pollution by setting requirements for feedlots. DNR’s proposed rules would not protect groundwater and drinking water sources from feedlot pollution, especially in karst terrain. As a result, thousands of private wells will continue to be polluted with unsafe levels of bacteria and nitrate. DNR’s duty to protect water means that it must stop the most egregious proposals that threaten water quality. DNR should not withdraw the rule allowing DNR to evaluate and stop the proposals that pose the most serious threats to water quality. The proposed change to manure rates in the proposed rules would require manure management plans to properly determine crop needs and account for other fertilizer sources. The final rules must adopt these proposed changes to reduce nitrate contamination in our rivers, streams, and groundwater. They also need to require manure management plans to be electronic, allowing DNR to efficiently evaluate compliance. To protect Iowa’s drinking water, Outstanding Iowa Waters, and other waters of the state, I ask you to adopt rules requiring greater separation from karst terrain for new construction, proper nutrient accounting in manure management plans and online submission, and consideration of environmental factors before approving feedlots. These changes could save Iowans hundreds of millions of dollars per year while improving water quality. Thank you,

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DNR: Strengthen CAFO Rules in Iowa

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