The contested case on issuing a new version of South Dakota’s general permit for concentrated animal feeding operations wrapped up three days of hearings last week. South Dakota Department of Natural Resources Feedlot Program Administrator Kent Woodmansy says there were some changes made from the original permit regarding the operation of a CAFO, as well as manure management.
He says the final draft incorporated suggestions made by various groups during the informal development meetings, the public comment period and the hearings. Plus, he says they clarified several points for Dakota Rural Action that were actually just normal practices that weren’t in the permit.
Woodmansy says they are optimistic the final product does not take away local control regarding the zoning process, but instead outlines reasonable permitting guidelines for livestock producers.
At the end of the hearing the DENR Secretary adopted the permit recommendations and DENR’s lawyer will have 30 days to formalize the findings. Then outside lawyers will have 30 days to review and provide comments. Once the permit is issued it will not take effect for 30 days to allow any challenges or appeals. The permit and entire court proceedings are on DENR’s website.
