Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food and Water Watch members want stricter Master Matrix guidelines for confined animal feedlot operations in the state. This week the groups delivered a petition to the State Environmental Protection Commission detailing their proposal. ICCI Organizer Erica Blair says the Master Matrix hasn’t been updated for some time and needs tighter restrictions to protect the state’s waters.

She says one of the major revisions they’re asking for is an increase in the setback distances for CAFOs.

She says one site specific issue that must be looked at is in coarse terrain areas. Blair also says that if the EPC and DNR don’t approve those changes, there should be a moratorium on all CAFO applications.

The State Department of Natural Resources has 60 days to decide on the group’s petition.