The Iowa House Environmental
Protection Committee today voted to approve a bill that will protect Iowa’s air
and water quality and rural quality of life from the livestock industry. The
many new protections in the bill, House Study Bill 267, such as increased
separation distances between new livestock operations and places like
residences and tourism areas as well as more protections for Iowa’s waterways.
“Iowans are very concerned about the
impact of the livestock industry on our streams and rivers,” said Nathaniel
Baer, policy advocate with Environment Iowa. “This bill adds important
protections from the environmental impacts of this industry.”
The proposals in the bill are the
result of seven weeks of public hearings held by the House Air and Water
Quality Subcommittee, a standing subcommittee of the House Environmental
Protection Committee. During the public hearings, the subcommittee, chaired by
Rep. Frevert (D-Emmetsburg), heard testimony from the Department of Natural
Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, livestock
producers, academic experts, and other parties.
The bill adds new areas to the list
of ‘benefited objects’ that merit a separation distance from a proposed
livestock confinement, including tourism destinations. The Department of
Natural Resources will adopt rules to designate the tourism destinations.
The bill adds increased protections
to waterways. For example, the bill expands the types of wetlands that deserve
a separation distance to include wetlands owned by cities and counties. Under
current law, only state and federal wetlands qualify.
Minimal separation distances apply
to all confinements under the bill. Under current law, many livestock
operations with fewer than 1,250 hogs (500 animal units) are exempt from
minimum separation distances to residences, businesses, schools, churches, and
public use areas.
House Study Bill 267 strengthens the
master matrix, which is the permit application for larger confinements. The
master matrix application is intended to address the potential impact of a
proposed livestock operation on nearby air, water and communities. According to
Environment Iowa’s analysis in its recent report, Failure of the Master Matrix, the permit application is a rubber
stamp that does not protect the environment or nearby communities.
This bill requires all counties to
use the matrix application and to hold a public hearing to hear comments about
the proposal. The bill allows for the deduction of points in the matrix
application for unsatisfactory answers, which could require applicants to adopt
more environmentally beneficial practices.
The bill also strengthens rules
regarding the application of manure to land. The bill prohibits using spray
irrigation equipment to spread liquid manure and requires producers to either
inject liquid manure or incorporate it into the soil the same day it is
applied.
“For too long, policy makers have
looked the other way when it comes to air and water pollution from the
livestock industry,” said Baer. “This bill is a step in the right direction, so
we can restore balance in public policy to protect our environment.”
“Representatives Kuhn, Frevert, and
Olson demonstrated leadership and a genuine commitment to Iowa’s environment in
bringing this bill forward. We now call on House leadership to bring this bill
to the floor,” continued Baer.
Please see
www.environmentiowa.org for a copy of our recent report on the failure of
the master matrix permit to protect our environment from the livestock
industry.
Environment Iowa is a non-profit, non-partisan statewide environmental
organization that advocates for clean air, clean water, and open spaces.
