MPCA considering updates to feedlot rule
Kyle Kuphal | Staff reporter
kkuphal@pipestonestar.com
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is proposing to amend existing Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020, which governs animal feedlots.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the last major revision of the feedlot rule happened in 2000 and the agency is looking to update the rule because livestock production and agricultural practices have changed since then and it wants to account for those changes. The changes include new information, research and understanding regarding agriculture and the environment; more information about nitrate levels in surface and groundwater; increases in extreme weather events; changes to crop and nutrient management practices; and others. In addition to addressing those changes, the MPCA wants to account for new agency data services, modernize outdated language, improve land application of manure practices to address nitrates, bacteria and fish kills, and establish additional technical standards to protect water quality and avoid fish kills.
Rule making is a multi-year process, according to the MPCA, and that at this early stage of the process there is no draft rule language identifying specific changes to the feedlot rule. Instead, the MPCA is seeking input about issues that are important to consider and will help inform the decision-making process. The MPCA encourages those affected by the proposed rules to participate in the process.
Those who wish to comment can go to www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/animal-feedlots. The comment period will be open until Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. Those who comment are asked to identify the specific part or subpart of the rule they are addressing; specify whether they support or oppose the proposed rule language; give reasons for their views; and be specific and offer language changes to solve the problems they identify. The MPCA has provided questions for commenters to consider, including land application, liquid manure storage and permit requirements. Submitted comments are public and can be viewed at the website above.
Any questions about submitting comments online should be directed to William Moore at the Office of Administrative Hearings at 651-361-7893 or william.t.moore@state.mn.us.
This is the first of several opportunities for public comment and input, according to the MPCA. Over the next two or more years, the agency will draft rule language, and seek input from producer groups, environmental groups, Tribal Nations, feedlot owners and others about proposed concepts for potential rule changes.
More information can be found at the feedlot rulemaking webpage referenced above, which also has an option to sign up to receive updates about the rulemaking process.
There is also a recorded version of a virtual public information session about the feedlot rulemaking process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuelU0csAn0.
kkuphal@pipestonestar.com
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is proposing to amend existing Minnesota Rules Chapter 7020, which governs animal feedlots.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the last major revision of the feedlot rule happened in 2000 and the agency is looking to update the rule because livestock production and agricultural practices have changed since then and it wants to account for those changes. The changes include new information, research and understanding regarding agriculture and the environment; more information about nitrate levels in surface and groundwater; increases in extreme weather events; changes to crop and nutrient management practices; and others. In addition to addressing those changes, the MPCA wants to account for new agency data services, modernize outdated language, improve land application of manure practices to address nitrates, bacteria and fish kills, and establish additional technical standards to protect water quality and avoid fish kills.
Rule making is a multi-year process, according to the MPCA, and that at this early stage of the process there is no draft rule language identifying specific changes to the feedlot rule. Instead, the MPCA is seeking input about issues that are important to consider and will help inform the decision-making process. The MPCA encourages those affected by the proposed rules to participate in the process.
Those who wish to comment can go to www.pca.state.mn.us/get-engaged/animal-feedlots. The comment period will be open until Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. Those who comment are asked to identify the specific part or subpart of the rule they are addressing; specify whether they support or oppose the proposed rule language; give reasons for their views; and be specific and offer language changes to solve the problems they identify. The MPCA has provided questions for commenters to consider, including land application, liquid manure storage and permit requirements. Submitted comments are public and can be viewed at the website above.
Any questions about submitting comments online should be directed to William Moore at the Office of Administrative Hearings at 651-361-7893 or william.t.moore@state.mn.us.
This is the first of several opportunities for public comment and input, according to the MPCA. Over the next two or more years, the agency will draft rule language, and seek input from producer groups, environmental groups, Tribal Nations, feedlot owners and others about proposed concepts for potential rule changes.
More information can be found at the feedlot rulemaking webpage referenced above, which also has an option to sign up to receive updates about the rulemaking process.
There is also a recorded version of a virtual public information session about the feedlot rulemaking process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuelU0csAn0.
