November 2021
Katrina Kessler appointed MPCA commissioner
Governor Walz has named Katrina Kessler as the new MPCA commissioner. Since 2019 she had been leading the agency's water policy and agriculture division. Before that she was a permit engineer for more than a decade.
"I am excited to bring my technical and policy expertise to each difficult decision the agency must make to protect our environment and human health," Kessler says. "I will continue to lead with science while ensuring the agency is taking a pragmatic approach to its work. Read more about the MPCA's new commissioner.
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MPCA visits Northfield and Faribault, communities standing up to climate change
The MPCA hosted events in Northfield and Faribault in celebration of Climate Week in September to highlight the two communities' work on climate-change resiliency. These efforts included projects addressing flood mitigation and water quality, and using low- or no-emission vehicles. Read more.
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Rare conditions: MPCA studies shrunken Minnesota River
MPCA staff studied the river during this summer's extreme drought conditions to see if tighter limits on phosphorous are protecting aquatic life. This is only the second time the MPCA has been able to check on the effectiveness of the permit limits. A 2012 study found they were effective at keeping river oxygen levels healthy. The MPCA expects results from the 2021 study by late fall.
These conditions; however, also presented some benefits. “The good news is that rivers are getting a break from runoff bringing more sediment and nutrients into the water," says Lee Ganske, supervisor for the statewide watershed pollutant load monitoring network. "Generally, rivers are cloudy in the spring with runoff. This year’s drought means rivers have generally been clearer for a longer time.” Read more.
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Feedlot update
Re-registration under way for all feedlots. Process is now online.
Owners of Minnesota's estimated 18,000 registered livestock feedlots must submit updated registration information to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) by Jan. 1, 2022. The information includes location, type of operation, and number of livestock. The state’s feedlot rule requires all feedlot registrations to be updated at least once in a four-year cycle. The current four-year cycle runs from Jan. 2, 2018, to Jan. 1, 2022.
In an effort to improve accessibility for the public and increase efficiency, the MPCA has developed an Online Service for feedlot registration. The Online Service for feedlot registration will be pre-populated with information from previous feedlot registrations. Updating feedlot registration is now as easy as verifying the pre-populated information and making any necessary updates.
By January 1, 2022, feedlot owners needing to update their registration information should either:
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If it's your first time using the site, you will need to click on "register" and create a username and password (see graphic).
Accurate registration data is critical for counties and the state to run a successful feedlot program. Registration data is used to develop inspection strategies based on feedlot type, size and relationship to surface water and wells. It also helps counties and the state stay abreast of feedlot trends, which helps them develop pertinent educational materials and programs for the producers.
The state’s feedlot rule requires feedlots with 50 or more animal units, and 10 or more located in shoreland, to register. Additional information regarding feedlot registration can be found on the MPCA registration webpage or by contacting your county feedlot officer or regional MPCA staff.
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Online permit application service targeting December release date
After a few delays, it is anticipated that in December, the new online feedlot permit application service will be available for submitting permit applications to the MPCA.
Updates on service availability will be posted to the agency's web pages covering feedlot-related permits: NPDES and SDS Permits, NPDES General Permit, Construction and Interim Permits.
The MPCA will also work with livestock industry groups to inform their members when this service is available. A webcast demonstration and question and answer session is also planned.
Once the service is available, the MPCA will no longer accept permit applications by paper or email. Applications for the following feedlot permits will be required to use the online service:
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- State Disposal System (SDS)
- Construction Short Form (CSF) and Interim permits for:
Applications for permits issued by delegated counties may continue to use a paper form.
The online service will gather all the information that was previously part of the paper application form. Data that is already present in the MPCA data management system will be displayed in the service and changes can be made if necessary.
You will also need to upload required attachments such as a manure management plan (MMP), “good neighbor” notice documentation, and plans and specifications for new manure storage areas. The service will only allow an upload of a MMP completed with the MCPA Manure Management Planner.
Renewing NPDES permit coverage? Keep checking for new online service and application deadline
Sites that completed a preliminary application for the new NPDES general permit this past winter, or other sites still operating under previous NPDES permit coverage, should keep their eyes and ears open for the actual release date for the online service. The MPCA will provide ample time to submit applications for renewal of NPDES permit coverage taking into consideration time constraints for farmers related to harvest and manure application this fall. A formal application deadline will be posted to the web pages mentioned above when the service is available.
Feedlot multi site policy updated
When two or more feedlots under common ownership are located near one another they may be required to obtain either a NPDES permit or a SDS permit even if they are registered as separate facilities. This is commonly referred to as a multi-site operation.
The MPCA considers two or more animal feedlots to be one multi-site operation when the sites have common ownership and at least one of the following conditions apply:
- Any portion of the feedlots are located within ¼ mile of each other
- The animal feedlots share a liquid or solid manure storage area.
When multiple feedlot sites are determined to be part of a multi-site operation, the combined animal holding capacity of all sites is used to determine if a NPDES or SDS permit is required.
What has changed?
Transferring manure/litter transfer to another site to be used as bedding material is no longer considered to be sharing a manure storage area (i.e. litter from a turkey brood barn transported with the birds to a finishing barn).
If NPDES or SDS permit coverage is required, the owner must obtain a permit for each feedlot considered to be part of the multi-site operation. A separate permit application fee and annual fee will be required for each.
The updates to the policy were necessary due to changes in the permit application process and to ensure that permit fees adequately reflect the staff time needed to process the applications.
What about existing multi-site permits?
Existing multi-site operations with current permit coverage will continue to operate under the previous multi-site policy. Upon application for permit modification, or new permit coverage, the current policy will be applied. Multi-site operations that will need to renew their NPDES permit coverage in the coming months will be contacted by MPCA staff to explain the options available to them.
More information
The updated policy can be found here. A fact sheet that explains the policy in more detail is available here.
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EPA action means October land application requirements will remain in new NPDES permit
A new NPDES general permit for animal feedlots became effective February 1, 2021. It included additional requirements for land application of manure to minimize the risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater and contaminated runoff to surface waters.
Below is the permit language specific to October manure applications:
October Restrictions - The Permittee shall not apply manure prior to October 15 to harvested fields unless at least one of the following nitrogen BMPs are implemented:
- Soil temperature is below 50 degrees at the start of manure application;
- A nitrogen stabilizing agent/product is added at the recommended inclusion rates;
- A cover crop is established in accordance with the requirements of this Permit for June, July, August, or September manure applications; or
- A split application of nitrogen is used where no more than 1/2 of the recommended nitrogen rate is applied before October 15. Winter application of the remaining recommended nitrogen rate is prohibited.
During the 2021 legislative special session, a law was passed that required the MPCA to remove this permit requirement, unless the EPA rejected the change under its federal authorities. In an August 31, 2021 letter to the MPCA the EPA officially disapproved the law. As a result, the October land application requirements within the new NPDES general permit will remain.
Ag-environment events, education, research
3rd Agriculture-Urban Partnership Forum coming in early 2022
Planning is underway for the 3rd Agriculture-Urban Partnership Forum to be held in early 2022.
This Forum will further the momentum, ideas and engagement that came out of the 2019 Mankato meeting and last year’s virtual event, and keep the conversation current. The climate, water quality, and economic challenges we collectively face are interconnected, and listening to, and learning from each other’s perspectives has enriched our collaborative work.
The 2022 event will feature a variety of speakers from efforts across the state, including water quality trading, agricultural water quality programs, and related pilot projects.
More information about the 2022 Forum will be coming soon.
You can find a summary of the 2019 Forum here and the 2020 virtual Forum here.
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Webinar: Building human capital in conservation, watershed work
Webinar Nov. 10, 2 p.m. It is the skills, decisions, and networks of people that will determine whether we collectively move the needle in reducing nutrient loads, mitigating harmful algal blooms, and reducing the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. This edition of The Current Webinar Series from the North Central Region Water Network discusses research and programming aimed at building human capital in conservation and watershed work. Featured Speakers:
- Clare Lindahl, CEO, Soil and Water Conservation Society: "Results from New Poll offer Boots-on-the-Ground Insight on Improving the Nation's Conservation Delivery System"
- Jenny Seifert, Watershed Outreach Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension: "Why Human Capital Matters for Clean Water, and How a New Collaborative is Building It"
Additional endorsements available to water quality certified producers
Many conservation practices targeting water quality have benefits for other conservation goals, and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program Endorsements provide additional recognition to certified producers who are going above and beyond to implement conservation on their farms.
There are four Endorsements available to water quality certified producers: Climate Smart Farm, Soil Health, Integrated Pest Management, and Wildlife.
Endorsements build upon the criteria established in the certification assessment process. Endorsements are also an educational opportunity for producers who’d like to learn more about whole farm resilience.
Check out the certification program’s website to learn more about the Endorsements.
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Animal waste recertification training
Commercial Animal Waste Technician recertification training is due November 20, 2021 for Site Managers that need to recertify. There are no in-person sessions left, so people can either re-test or take the online recertification course by the University of Minnesota.
Cover crop farmers encouraged to apply for Farm Business Management scholarships
The Environmental Defense Fund and the University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management have partnered to expand the information about cover crop economics within the FINBIN database. Eligible participants receive at least 50% off their Farm Business Management tuition or SW MN Farm Business Management Assoc membership if they track their cover crop expenses.
Interested producers can visit the project website or contact the Minnesota Office for Soil Health at mosh@umn.edu.
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