MPCA Board Considers Feedlot Rule Updates
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The citizens board that oversees the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is considering a set of updates to the state's environmental rules for livestock feedlots.
The board is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to drop a requirement for large feedlots to have water quality permits under the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System if they don't discharge manure into public waters. These operations would still be regulated via state permits under the State Disposal System.
About 1,300 large feedlots in Minnesota — those with at least 1,000 head of beef cattle, 700 dairy cows or 2,500 hogs — currently operate under both those permits. Minnesota has about 20,000 livestock feedlots, with most classified as medium or small.
The new rules were mandated by the Legislature in 2011.
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