Existing State
Law
Iowa
Senate
File 2293, which was signed into law in April 2002,
affects issuance of construction permits to new and existing
facilities. In addition to the permit application, applicants
must now fill out a master matrix. The interim matrix required
applicants to score a minimum of 100 points on a series
of actions that go beyond Iowa regulations in order to have
the application approved. In January 2003, the Iowa Environmental
Protection Commission approved plans for the
master matrix, scheduled to take effect in March 2003,
that not only requires a greater number of overall points,
but a minimum score in three categories: air, community,
and water.
Maryland
In 1998, Maryland passed State Senator Frosh's SB
178, which mandates nutrient management plans for many
agricultural operations. The legislation addresses the application
of manure based not only on its nitrogen content but also
on its content of phosphorus, a controversial move favored
by environmentalists and opposed by some in the industry
as too burdensome.
Minnesota
Minnesota has a good law, Section
713 of Chapter 116 of the state code, requiring testing
for hydrogen sulfide and ammonia air emmissions.
Vermont
In 1995, Vermont adopted into law a
set of standards for manure management on farms aimed
at protecting water quality. One pioneering aspect of the
standards is its ban on the winter spreading of manure,
a practice that contributes to pollution once snow and frozen
ground melt. |
