Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/8/99
Contacts:
Angela Rieck-Hinz, Extension Agronomy, (515) 294-9590
Treva Blumenshine, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5672
Manure Applicator Training Program Set
AMES, Iowa -- Both commercial manure applicators and confinement site applicators must meet certification requirements by March 1, according to state law. Last spring the seventy-seventh session of the Iowa General Assembly passed House File 2494, which refined laws governing manure management for Iowa. Section 33 of HF 2494 requires that commercial manure applicators and confinement site applicators meet specified certification requirements in order to apply manure.
It is anticipated that Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administrative rules governing the certification process will be finalized in March 1999. Due to the time discrepancy between when the law becomes effective and the administrative rules are finalized, the DNR is expected to delay the deadline for manure applicator certification. After finalization of the rules, Iowa State University Extension will provide training materials for applicators to use in preparation for the certification process, according to Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension agronomist. "Ultimately, the DNR will make a final decision as to whether exams are required to meet certification requirements, whether attending a training session will meet requirements for the certification process or whether a combination of both activities will be required to meet the certification process," she said. "Once the training requirements are finalized, ISU Extension will announce locations and dates for possible training dates and if necessary, the DNR will announce locations and dates for certification exams."
Copies of the Chapter 65 draft rules regarding Animal Feeding Operations that have been approved for public notice and hearing by the Environmental Protection Commission are available on DNR's Web site at http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/index.html.
Four hearings have been scheduled around the state for the public to comment on proposed rules pertaining to animal feeding operations. The hearings, at which time comments may be submitted orally or in writing, will be held:
• Jan. 19: First National Bank, Hampton, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 20: Henry A. Wallace building, Des Moines, 1 p.m.
• Jan. 21: Iowa Hall, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 22: Cherokee Community Center, Cherokee, 7 p.m.
Written comments also may be submitted by Jan. 22, to Wayne Farrand, Iowa DNR, Wallace Building, 502 East Ninth Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034; fax: (515) 281-8895 or e-mail: wfarran@max.state.ia.us.
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