Comments sought on DNR?s response to CAFO report

KANSAS CITY, Kan. ? EPA is seeking public comment on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources? response to EPA?s initial findings from its informal investigation of DNR?s permit and compliance program for concentrated animal feeding operations.

DNR submitted its response to EPA Sept. 11 outlining a number of actions to improve its animal feeding operations program.

?Transparency and public involvement are important components of this process and we need to hear from those that are affected by our decisions,? said Karl Brooks, regional administrator.

On July 12, EPA released a report outlining its initial findings, which identified deficiencies in DNR?s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program that the state agency will need to correct.

The 30-day public comment period on IDNR?s response and proposed actions ends Oct. 17.

DNR?s response and EPA?s initial report are available at www.epa.gov/region7/water.  A link to the public notice, which describes how to submit comments, is available at www.epa.gov/region7/public_notices.