An environmental group claims that Iowa’s regulations for new livestock
operations are failing, arguing that most producers are not going the
extra mile to protect air and water.
A report released Thursday
by Environment Iowa criticized the state’s system for granting
construction permits for proposed livestock confinements.
Construction
proposals are scored on a system called the “master matrix,” which
awards points for environmentally friendly proposals. Applicants must
score 440 out of 880 points in categories that rate potential impacts
on air, water and the local community.
“A 50 percent score is
usually a failing grade, but on the master matrix application, it is
enough to pass. Iowa’s air and water deserve much more,” said Nathaniel
Baer, a policy advocate and lobbyist for the group.
The analysis
showed that no producer who applied for a construction permit has built
an emergency containment to help protect against fish kills that can be
caused by manure spills. Fewer than 2 percent adopted practices that
include installing air filters to reduce odors or obtaining written
permission from neighbors or community members, the report found.
Sen. Thurman Gaskill, R-Corwith, supported the 2002 legislation creating the master matrix.
“I think it helped out. I think we could make some improvements, without a doubt,” Gaskill said.
He supports sponsoring additional research to find strategies to reduce odors from livestock confinements.
Rep. Jack Drake, a Lewis Republican and livestock farmer, said the report unfairly criticizes the master matrix.
“I think overall it’s done a pretty good job,” he said.
