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St. Paul, Minn. – On April 22, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) Citizens’ Board is scheduled to hear and act upon a staff
recommendation to adopt revisions and updates to environmental rules for
livestock feedlots. The changes arise from 2011 legislative action, and
‘housekeeping’ updates.
In the 2011 special session, the state
Legislature voted to follow a federal government change to remove the
requirement of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
for large feedlots if there is no discharge of manure from the site or from
storage areas.
In November 2011, the MPCA met with livestock
industry representatives to discuss the need for rule changes (Minnesota Rules,
Chapter 7020). Following several public meetings, public comment periods and a
formal hearing, the proposed changes were reviewed and approved by an
administrative law judge. After all approvals have occurred, the revised rules
would go into effect, perhaps by late May or early June.
The MPCA regulates the collection,
transportation, storage, processing and use of animal manure and process
wastewaters from the operation of animal feedlots. There are about 20,000 livestock
feedlots in Minnesota, the majority being medium or small in size.
Since the 1970s, the MPCA has regulated
feedlots primarily through permits, including National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System and State Disposal System permits. These apply to large
feedlots, such as those with at least 1,000 head of beef cattle, 700 dairy cows
or 2,500 hogs. Currently, about 1,300 large feedlots operate with NPDES and SDS
permits.
More information is available on the MPCA
website, www.pca.state.mn.us, by searching for ‘feedlot rules’. The MPCA Citizens’ Board meets at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April
22, at the MPCA office, 520 Lafayette Road N., in St. Paul. The meeting is open to the public.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens’ Board will
meet April 22 to decide on a staff recommendation to adopt revisions and
updates to environmental rules for livestock feedlots. The changes arise from
2011 legislative action, and ‘housekeeping’ updates.
In the 2011 special session, the state
Legislature voted to follow a federal government change to remove the
requirement of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for
large feedlots, if there is no discharge of manure from the site or from
storage areas.
After all approvals have occurred, the revised
rules would go into effect, perhaps by late May or early June. More information
is available on the MPCA website by searching for ‘feedlot rules’. The Citizens' Board meeting begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at 520 Lafayette Road North in St. Paul. The meeting is open to the public.
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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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