Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach has approved a matrix designed to assist local officials in evaluating livestock siting applications. Assistant Director Mat Habrock says the matrix will take the emotion out of the permit approval process. He says it will provide zoning board members with valuable information needed to make siting decisions, while still protecting local control.
The evaluation guidelines in the matrix are based on sound science and professional expertise. Habrock says to get a livestock permit approved the building and site plan must get a minimum of 75 points on the matrix.
Habrock says livestock developing is critical to the state’s agricultural industry and it will add value to the grains produced in Nebraska.
The development of the assessment matrix is a result of LB 106 which was passed by the Nebraska Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2015. Under the bill, NDA was directed to create the assessment matrix based on input from a committee appointed by the NDA director.
The initial draft of the matrix was posted on NDA’s website for public comments.
