A rewrite of South Dakota’s General Permit on Confined Animal Feeding Operations is facing a snag. The revision is being legally challenged before the final version is even approved. South Dakota Pork Producers Council President Lester Moller says they’ve been providing input to DENR on changes that need to be made on these guidelines governing large scale livestock operations and the protections it provides to surface and ground water.

Moeller says they’re disappointed with the delay as the statewide livestock permit rules are in dire need of an update and modern practices have changed since the original version was written. As a result, he expects a tightening of current regulations.

He says the state’s General Permit is important as it’s the roadmap county zoning boards use to make decisions in their own area on proposed livestock operations and expansions.   And Moeller says its important if the state is going to expand livestock and poultry production.