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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelli Book at 515-210-3408 or Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES –Counties interested in evaluating construction permits for proposed animal feeding facilities must adopt and submit a construction evaluation resolution by the end of January.
“County boards can pass a resolution to participate in the master matrix at any time, but they must submit the resolution to DNR between January 1 and 31,” said Kelli Book, DNR attorney.
On average, 88 counties pass a resolution each year, allowing them to review construction permit applications required for larger, totally roofed animal feeding operations (confinements).
Producers in counties that file the resolutions must meet additional standards in their construction permits than sites in other counties. They must earn points on a master matrix by choosing a site and using practices that reduce effects on the environment and the community.
The master matrix development, submittal and approval process allows applicants and county supervisors to discuss options for site selection, facility type and management. The county submits a recommendation to the DNR on the permit application after reviewing the matrix items the applicant selected.
Counties that participate in the master matrix process may accompany DNR on site visits to proposed locations. The county board of supervisors may also appeal the DNR’s preliminary approval of a permit to the Environmental Protection Commission.
Counties should send resolutions to Kelli Book at DNR, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0034 or email Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov. Sign-ups in January apply to permit applications DNR receives from February 2022 through January 2023.
For historical information on counties that adopted resolutions, check for Master Matrix information on the DNR construction permit webpage.
More information is also available from the Iowa State Association of Counties.
MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Hall at 515-452-6633 or Tim.Hall@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES — Last year was the second dry year in a row for Iowa. Over the previous 24 months parts of central and west central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture. Both streamflow and groundwater conditions were of concern throughout much of 2021, but the third wettest October on record helped to end the year with near normal conditions.
"Looking back on 2021, the wet October we experienced in Iowa really helped set us up for better spring conditions,” said Tim Hall, DNR’s coordinator of hydrology resources. “We would have much more concern for spring 2022 conditions without those October rains. Dryness could still be an issue as we move from winter to spring of 2022, and the DNR and our partners continue to watch conditions closely."
Iowa began 2021 in drought conditions, especially in the northwest part of the state. Those early 2021 drought conditions held mostly steady through the winter months and into the spring, and then peaked in August. Iowa ended 2021 with roughly half of the state free from any dryness or drought, and about 12 percent of the state with D1-Moderate Drought conditions.
Based on 149 years of statewide observations, Iowa experienced its 57th driest year on record in 2021 with a statewide average precipitation accumulation of just over 31 inches, nearly 4.5 inches below normal. Precipitation was below normal for eight of the 12 months of the year and was significantly below normal during late spring and early summer. Iowa temperatures averaged 50.0 degrees or 1.6 degrees above normal ranking 2021 as the 16th warmest year on record. A warmer year was last reported in 2016.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
MEDIA CONTACT: Tamara McIntosh, DNR, at 515-725-8242 or Tamara.Mcintosh@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES – DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. The following list summarizes recent enforcement actions. Find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions
Consent Orders A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party.
Fayette County
Jon Halverson
Pay a $2,000 administrative penalty.
Scott County
Brenda and Bradley Miller
Cease the illegal storage and disposal of waste tires; comply with all waste tire disposal laws; and properly dispose of all waste tires on site and provide the Department with receipts of disposal.
Administrative Orders
Responsible parties have 60 days to appeal the order or 60 days to pay the penalty.
Montgomery County
Mark Snyder
Cease illegal disposal of solid waste; comply with all solid waste laws; properly dispose of solid waste and provide the Department with receipts of disposal; and pay a $10,000 administrative penalty.
MEDIA CONTACT: Marnie Stein, DNR, at 515-725-9525 or Marnie.Stein@dnr.iowa.gov for Title V permits; or Sarah Piziali, DNR, at 515-725-9549 or Sarah.Piziali@dnr.iowa.gov for construction permits.
DES MOINES – The DNR Air Quality Bureau has the following draft permits up for review. The permits help protect Iowans’ health and air quality. DNR’s permitting staff review each permit application to ensure facilities comply with state and federal air quality requirements. We encourage public comments on draft permits, providing help on how to make effective comments. Submit written comments to the assigned permit writer before 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. DNR considers public comments before finalizing the permits.
Title V Operating Permits
Title V Operating permits are reviewed and re-issued every five years. Facilities with a Title V permit have the potential to emit large amounts of air pollutants compared to other facilities. The five-year reviews are a federal requirement and ensure adequate monitoring is included in the permit. The DNR plans to issue Title V Operating Permits for the following facilities. Find permit details at www.iowadnr.gov/titlev-draft.
Story County
American Packaging Corporation – 103 W. Broad St., Story City.
The application was submitted to operate their existing commercial printing facility. The public comment period ends Feb. 12.
Des Moines County
Big River Resources West Burlington, LLC – 15210 103rd St., West Burlington.
The application was submitted to operate their existing dry mill ethanol facility. The public comment period ends Feb. 12.
Construction Permits
DNR engineers review and issue construction permits to facilities before they build new or modify existing sources of air pollution. The public may review the following air quality construction permits available online at www.iowadnr.gov/airpermitsearch OR through the EASY Air Public Inquiry Portal and then click the Public Notice tab.
Black Hawk County
John Deere Product Engineering Center – 6725 Cedar Heights Dr., Cedar Falls.
John Deere’s Product Engineering Center (PEC) is a research and development center for tractors and engines. The company received a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit for an emission unit in 2019. The company is not going forward with the 2019 project, but is proposing to amend other engine test cell emission units. This project will amend the permits to reflect these proposed changes. The public comment period ends Feb. 14.
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