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February 2022
Permit news
Online permit application service coming in March
After a few delays, we expect the new online feedlot permit application service will become available in March for submittal of permit applications to the MPCA.
Once the service is available, the MPCA will no longer be accepting paper or emailed permit applications. Applications for permits issued by delegated counties may continue to use a paper form.
Updates on service availability will be posted on our web site on several pages:
Renewing NPDES permit coverage
Sites still operating under previous NPDES permit coverage should monitor the web pages above for the actual release date for the online service and a formal application submission deadline. The MPCA will provide ample time to submit applications for renewal of NPDES permit coverage taking into consideration time constraints for farmers and consultants.
Re-registration for feedlots wrapping up
Although the Jan. 1, 2022, deadline has passed, you still can (and should) update your feedlot registration information with the MPCA if you haven’t done so already. Update your registration information at: https://webapp.pca.state.mn.us/services/login.
Annual reports due March 1
Reminder – All NPDES and SDS permits require submittal of an annual report by March 1. You can find the annual report form at: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f3-22b.docx.
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Applying solid manure in March
Q: I have a NPDES permit, can I apply solid manure this March?
A: The prohibition on March application is a part of the recently revised general NPDES permit. This requirement is not applicable until you obtain coverage under the revised permit. To date, only a few feedlots in Minnesota have obtained coverage under the revised permit, so most feedlots will be able to apply solid manure this March. Manure that is applied this March must follow the previous permit restrictions including; no active snowmelt, low field slope, low potential for rainfall, and a setback of at least 300 ft. from water features.
New feedlot forms and resources available
Feedlot Inspection Records Calendar (updated January 2022) https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f5-21.pdf
Manure Management Plan spreadsheet (updated December 2021) https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f6-12.xlsm
Transferred ownership Manure Management Plan form (updated September 2021) https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f8-12.docx
MAWQCP-Certified farm featured in international story on hypoxia
The Economist magazine recently released a short film about hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Ben Dwire, who is certified in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP), is featured discussing solutions and ag conservation work in Minnesota.
Dwire is a fourth generation farmer in southwest Minnesota, raising no-till soybeans, oats, wheat, corn, and various annual forage crops. He cover crops the majority of his acres and practices intensive grazing with his pasture-raised beef, pork and chicken. Water Quality Certified since 2016, Dwire strives to do his part to ensure public waters are clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. To date, over 1,150 producers managing more than 800,000 acres have been Water Quality Certified in Minnesota.
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County feedlot staff update
The 2022 County Feedlot Contacts List can be found here. Recent updates to the list include:
County Feedlot officer
Stearns Alicia Gohmann (alicia.gohmann@co.stearns) 320-656-3613
Steele David Stenzel (david.stenzel@co.steele.mn.us) 507-444-7488
Nobles Chris Prins (cprins@co.nobles.mn.us) 507-295-5322
Renville Kelly O'Neill (kellyo@renville.mn.us) 320-523-3825
LacQuiParle Abby VanKempen (abby.vankempen@lqpco.com) 320-598-3132
Lincoln Dustin Hauschild (dhauschild@co.lincoln.mn.us) 507-694-1699
Matt Marczak (mmarczak@co.linoln.mn.us) 507-694-1038
Todd Tim Ebnet (tim.ebnet@co.todd.mn.us) 320-732-2644
Lyon Courtney Snyder (CourtneySnyder@co.lyon.mn.us) 507-829-3265
Watonwan Jacob Van Ryswyk (jacob.vanryswyk@co.watonwan) 507-375-2515
Watonwan Jody Anderson, (jody.anderson@co.watonwan.mn.us) 507-375-1225
Local efforts removing waters from MPCA Impaired Waters List
Every two years, the MPCA compiles an Impaired Waters List of bodies of water in Minnesota that don’t meet water quality standards. For the draft 2022 list, the MPCA is proposing to add 305 water bodies with 417 new impairments, bringing the total to 2,904 water bodies with 6,168 impairments.
Local governments and other partner organizations around the state lead the projects that ultimately change water quality and result in waters coming off the list, including three lakes and one river that are "Coming up to standards." Those stories can be found here.
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20 SWCDs partnering with MDA to implement $3.5 million federal precision irrigation partnership
In 2017, the East Otter Tail SWCD hosted outreach meetings to answer questions from irrigation producers and began developing ideas to accelerate their work using their existing partnerships with district peers, state agencies, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and most importantly, local irrigators.
This effort led to a new $3.5 million federal grant, bringing together the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and more than 30 organizations, including 20 soil and water conservation districts, NRCS, institutes of education, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, state agencies, irrigator’s associations, and businesses. The partnership is known as the Regional Conservation Partnering Program (RCPP) Grant on Agricultural Irrigation. This five-year project is designed to provide financial and technical assistance directly to agricultural producers using irrigation in the west-central portion of the state.
Red Basin phosphorous reduction plan bringing together regulated, unregulated sources
Making meaningful reductions in phosphorous levels and achieving water quality goals in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg in Canada (shown at right experiencing massive algae blooms) will require changes by regulated sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, and reductions from unregulated sources, such as runoff from farm fields.
The Red River Basin Commission (RRBC), a not-for-profit organization with a 40-year history of bringing cooperative approaches to water management within the basin, is leading development of a management plan to reduce phosphorous using goal-setting and collaboration among regulated and unregulated stakeholders. The aim is to create more meaningful impacts on water quality at less cost and with broader-based involvement. Read more.
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Ag-Urban Forum highlights collaboration needed to meet varied challenges
Kessler: "We have exactly who we need here to spark progress"
In January, the third annual Ag-Urban Partnership Forum on Water Quality highlighted the trust, communication, partnership, and innovation needed among people across many different sectors to collaborate on meeting the challenges of land use, water quality, and climate.
“Like many of you, I know what it feels like to pour your time and energy into addressing water-related challenges, and I know how stubborn those issues can prove to be,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler in her opening remarks. “Solutions often seem elusive when we try to tackle problems that are this complex — but our capabilities are so much greater when we come together. We have exactly who we need here to spark progress.”
The continued participation of more than 250 people shows a strong interest in collaborating on projects and initiatives to protect Minnesota’s water resources. We want to thank the speakers who offered fresh ideas and candid perspectives on how to keep building these important partnerships. We hope to continue coming together to hold these important conversations in the future.
Missed it? Watch it! (Or watch it again)
If you missed the forum or would like to view presentations again, click on the button below to find a link at the top of the page to a recording of the event.
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