Senate File 2293, signed into law by the Governor on April 29, 2002, contained provisions for the development of a master matrix to be used in siting future confinement facilities. The matrix must include criteria to value environmental and community impact. The law identified the representative groups to form the technical advisory committee to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and provided an effective date for counties to begin use of the matrix.

The master matrix must be developed by September 2002 and out for public comment by November 27, 2002 in order to meet the effective date of implementation, March 1, 2003. After the master matrix becomes finalized, County Boards of Supervisors may choose whether or not to evaluate construction permit applications with the master matrix. A confinement facility must attain a minimum score on the master matrix in participatory counties and meet all DNR rule requirements to have its construction permit approved. If a county does not submit a matrix score, the application must be approved if it meets DNR requirements. If the construction permit application does not achieve the minimum score required in a participatory county, but meets DNR requirements, the DNR must independently score the application using the master matrix. If the DNR determines that the application should receive a passing score on the matrix then the application must be approved. If the DNR agrees with the county and determines that the application does not receive a passing score on the matrix, then the application will not be approved. The County Board of Supervisors and the producer may appeal the DNR decision.

The DNR has created a web site containing information regarding the development of the master matrix. The web site can be accessed at http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/epd/wastewtr/feedlot/mmta.htm

In addition to the website, please see the following DNR press releases:
“Plans to Site Livestock Confinements Underway” dated June 21, 2002, and “Major Issues Emerge at First Meeting on Livestock Siting” dated June 28, 2002. Additional information may be obtained by reading SF 2293.
New press releases 7/22/02:

• Scoring approved for new and expanding confinement feeding operations
• Livestock confinement siting group to discuss issues

Because the Master Matrix Technical Advisory Committee meetings fall under the Iowa Open Meeting Law, all meeting dates are publicly announced and the meetings are open to the public. Minutes of the meetings will be posted on the above web site. Also, correspondence that is submitted to the advisory committee becomes public record and any correspondence sent to individuals on the committee regarding the matrix may become public record if requested.

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Previous feature articles:

• Upcoming Meetings on Iowa's Livestock Regulations and Other Information Resources - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Information Regarding Iowa's New Livestock Bill-SF 2293 - by Angela Rieck-Hinz, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University
• Review of Alternative Technologies for Manure Treatment from Open Feedlots - Jeff Lorimor and Brad Woerner, Agricultural Engineers, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, ISU
• Manure Applicator Certification Workshops for 2002 - Angela Rieck-Hinz, Extension Program Specialist, Department of Agronomy, ISU
• Managing Manure and Residue at the Same Time - Paul Miller, Manure Management Specialist, USDA-NRCS