(Spencer)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold an additional public hearing in Spencer this coming Monday, January 10th to hear comments on proposed rule changes for animal feeding operations. The public comment period has also been extended from January 7th to January 10th.
Monday’s meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Events Center on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer.
The DNR is offering the additional meeting because inclement weather may have prevented people from attending a hearing this past Wednesday (Jan. 5th) in Spencer.
The purpose of the proposed changes is to create a separate division within the current rules for regulations pertaining specifically to open feedlots.
DNR officials say the proposed rule change will clearly define engineering standards for those open feedlots that need a permit.
Minimum design standards for manure and effluent control structures would also be established for open feedlots.
A 2003 change in state law required the DNR to develop the standards.
