New DNR Rules Regulate Manure Stockpiling

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By Karen Grimes, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The Environmental Protection Commission passed new rules for open feedlots that prohibit manure stockpiles in locations that would affect state waters. Commissioners passed the rules on an emergency basis to provide design standards for open feedlot construction this fall. Stockpiling rules also become effective on Sept. 14.

This is a common sense rule that requires manure stockpiles to be placed away from streams and other locations that could carry manure or manure-contaminated water to a stream.

The new rule requires producers to avoid grassed waterways, roadsides or stream edges that might carry uncovered manure right into a stream. Stockpiles within 200 feet of a drainage tile intake must be located downgradient of the intake.

Specific set-back distances require stockpiles to be located at least 200 feet from a known sinkhole, cistern, abandoned well, unplugged agricultural drainage well, agricultural drainage well surface tile inlet, drinking water well, a designated wetland, lake or water source.
However, if a 50-foot wide vegetated buffer strip is placed around the sensitive area and the stockpile is located outside that buffer, then the 200-foot separation distance does not apply.

Stockpiles also need to be set back at least 800 feet from high quality water resources such as trout streams and many other quality lakes and streams. A list of high quality water resources is available on the DNR Web site at http://www.iowadnr.com/afo/files/hqwr2.pdf. Producers can also find information on land application requirements at http://www.iowadnr.com/afo/files/sepdstb4.pdf.

Gene Tinker, the Department of Natural Resource’s coordinator of animal feeding operations can provide additional information. He can be reached at (515) 281-3103.