Monday is the final day for the public to provide input on the new permit regulations for Confined Animal Feeding Operations. The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources is rewriting the regulations, which lapsed in 2009. The agency held meetings in September to explain the permit draft and proposed changes. South Dakota Pork Producers Council President Lester Moeller says they’re pleased the agency sought input from farm groups when formulating the plan.

The state CAFO requirements are a baseline as the plan encourages county decision making for setbacks and other standards. Moeller says there pros and cons involved in local control.

Moeller says his personal opinion is that it’s better to have state rules because then they’re uniform. He says that avoids the confusion with differing county regulations.

Other state groups like the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association have concerns with the proposed use of the NRCS Code 590 nutrient management policy. That standard, which restricts solid waste application on any frozen ground, would severely restrict producers in terms of when they could apply solid nutrients.