459ANIMAL AGRICULTURE COMPLIANCE ACTIGENERAL PROVISIONS459.101Title.This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Animal Agriculture Compliance Act”.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262459.102Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:1“Aerobic structure” means an animal feeding operation structure other than an egg washwater storage structure which employs bacterial action which is maintained by the utilization of air or oxygen and which includes aeration equipment.2“Anaerobic digester system” means a manure storage structure that is covered, if the primary function of the manure storage structure is to process manure by employing environmental conditions including bacteria to break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, and is used for producing, collecting, and utilizing a biogas.3“Anaerobic lagoon” means an unformed manure storage structure, if the primary function of the structure is to store and stabilize manure, the structure is designed to receive manure on a regular basis, and the structure’s design waste loading rates provide that the predominant biological activity is anaerobic. An anaerobic lagoon does not include any of the following:aA settled open feedlot effluent basin as defined in section 459A.102.bAn anaerobic treatment system that includes collection and treatment facilities for all off gases.4“Animal” means cattle, swine, horses, sheep, chickens, turkeys, or fish.5“Animal feeding operation” means a lot, yard, corral, building, or other area in which animals are confined and fed and maintained for forty-five days or more in any twelve-month period, and all structures used for the storage of manure from animals in the operation. Except as required for a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit required pursuant to the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ch. 26, as amended, an animal feeding operation does not include a livestock market.6“Animal feeding operation structure” means a confinement building, manure storage structure, dry bedded confinement feeding operation structure as defined in section 459B.102, or egg washwater storage structure.7“Animal unit” means a unit of measurement based upon the product of multiplying the number of animals of each category by a special equivalency factor as follows:aSlaughter or feeder cattle 1.000bImmature dairy cattle 1.000cMature dairy cattle 1.400dButcher or breeding swine weighing more than fifty-five pounds 0.400eSwine weighing fifteen pounds or more but not more than fifty-five pounds 0.100fSheep or lambs 0.100gHorses 2.000hTurkeys weighing one hundred twelve ounces or more 0.018iTurkeys weighing less than one hundred twelve ounces 0.0085jChickens weighing forty-eight ounces or more 0.010kChickens weighing less than forty-eight ounces 0.0025lFish weighing twenty-fivegrams or more0.001mFish weighing less than twenty-five grams0.000068“Animal unit capacity” means a measurement used to determine the maximum number of animal units that may be maintained as part of an animal feeding operation at any one time, including as provided in sections 459.201 and 459.301.9“Animal weight capacity” means the product of multiplying the maximum number of animals which the owner or operator confines in an animal feeding operation at any one time by the average weight during a production cycle.10“Cemetery” means a space held for the purpose of permanent burial, entombment, or interment of human remains that is owned or managed by a political subdivision or private entity, or a cemetery regulated pursuant to chapter 523I. However, “cemetery” does not include a pioneer cemetery as defined in section 331.325.11“Commercial enterprise” means a building which is used as a part of a business that manufactures goods, delivers services, or sells goods or services, which is customarily and regularly used by the general public during the entire calendar year and which is connected to electric, water, and sewer systems. A commercial enterprise does not include a farm operation.12“Commercial manure service” means a sole proprietor or business association as defined in section 202B.102, engaged in the business of transporting, handling, storing, or applying manure for a fee.13“Commercial manure service representative” means a natural person who is any of the following:aA manager of a commercial manure service. As used in this paragraph a “manager” is a person who is actively involved in the operation of a commercial manure service and takes an important part in making management decisions substantially contributing to or affecting the success of the commercial manure service.bAn employee, agent, or contractor of a commercial manure service, if the person is engaged in transporting, handling, storing, or applying manure on behalf of the commercial manure service.14“Commission” means the environmental protection commission created pursuant to section 455A.6.15“Confinement feeding operation” means an animal feeding operation in which animals are confined to areas which are totally roofed.16“Confinement feeding operation building” or “confinement building” means a building used in conjunction with a confinement feeding operation to house animals.17“Confinement feeding operation structure” means an animal feeding operation structure that is part of a confinement feeding operation.18“Confinement site manure applicator” means a person, other than a commercial manure service or a commercial manure service representative, who applies manure on land if the manure originates from a manure storage structure.19“Covered” means organic or inorganic material placed upon an animal feeding operation structure used to store manure as provided by rules adopted by the department after receiving recommendations which shall be submitted to the department by the college of agriculture and life sciences at Iowa state university of science and technology.20“Critical public area” means land as designated by the department pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A, if all of the following apply:aThe land is part of a public park, preserve, or recreation area that is owned or managed by the federal government; by the department, including under chapter 461A or 465C; or by a political subdivision.bThe land has a unique scenic, cultural, archaeological, scientific, or historic significance or contains a rare or valuable ecological system.21“Department” means the department of natural resources created pursuant to section 455A.2.22“Designated area” means a known sinkhole, a cistern, an abandoned well, an unplugged agricultural drainage well, an agricultural drainage well surface inlet, a drinking water well, a designated wetland, or a water source. However, “designated area” does not include a terrace tile inlet or a surface tile inlet other than an agricultural drainage well surface tile inlet.23“Designated wetland” means land designated as a protected wetland by the United States department of the interior or the department of natural resources, including but not limited to a protected wetland as defined in section 456B.1, if the land is owned and managed by the federal government or the department of natural resources. However, a designated wetland does not include land where an agricultural drainage well has been plugged causing a temporary wetland or land within a drainage district or levee district.24“Director” means the director of the department of natural resources.25“Document” means any form required to be processed by the department under this chapter regulating animal feeding operations, including but not limited to applications or related materials for permits as provided in section 459.303, manure management plans as provided in section 459.312, comment or evaluation by a county board of supervisors considering an application for a construction permit, the department’s analysis of the application including using and responding to a master matrix pursuant to section 459.304, and notices required under those sections.26“Dry manure” means manure which meets all of the following conditions:aThe manure does not flow perceptibly under pressure.bThe manure is not capable of being transported through a mechanical pumping device designed to move a liquid.cThe constituent molecules of the manure do not flow freely among themselves but may show a tendency to separate under stress.27“Earthen manure storage basin” means an earthen cavity, either covered or uncovered, which, on a regular basis, receives waste discharges from a confinement feeding operation if accumulated wastes from the basin are completely removed at least once each year.28“Educational institution” means a building in which an organized course of study or training is offered to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve and served by local school districts, accredited or approved nonpublic schools, area education agencies, community colleges, institutions of higher education under the control of the state board of regents, and accredited independent colleges and universities.29“Egg washwater storage structure” means an aerobic or anaerobic structure used to store the wastewater resulting from the washing and in-shell packaging of eggs.30“Family member” means a person related to another person as parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, or a spouse of such a related person.31“Formed manure storage structure” means a covered or uncovered impoundment used to store manure from an animal feeding operation, which has walls and a floor constructed of concrete, concrete block, wood, steel, or similar materials.32“Frozen ground” means soil that is impenetrable due to frozen soil moisture but does not include soil that is only frozen to a depth of two inches or less.33“High-quality water resource” means that part of a water source or wetland that the department has designated as any of the following:aA high-quality water (Class “HQ”) or a high-quality resource water (Class “HQR”) according to 567 IAC ch. 61, in effect on January 1, 2001.bA protected water area system, according to a state plan adopted by the department in effect on January 1, 2001.34“Indemnity fee” means a fee provided in section 459.502 or 459.503.35“Karst terrain” means land having karst formations that exhibit surface and subterranean features of a type produced by the dissolution of limestone, dolomite, or other soluble rock and characterized by closed depressions, sinkholes, or caves.36“Liquid manure” means manure that meets all of the following requirements:aIt flows perceptibly under pressure.bIt is capable of being transported through a mechanical pumping device designated to move a liquid.cIts constituent molecules flow freely among themselves and show the tendency to separate under stress.37“Livestock market” means any place where animals are assembled from two or more sources for public auction, private sale, or on a commission basis, which is under state or federal supervision, including a livestock sale barn or auction market, if such animals are kept for ten days or less.38“Long-term stockpile location” means an area where a person stockpiles manure for more than six months in any two-year period.39“Major water source” means a water source that is a lake, reservoir, river, or stream located within the territorial limits of the state, or any marginal river area adjacent to the state, if the water source is capable of supporting a floating vessel capable of carrying one or more persons during a total of a six-month period in one out of ten years, excluding periods of flooding, which has been identified by rules adopted by the commission.40“Manure” means animal excreta or other commonly associated wastes of animals, including but not limited to bedding, litter, or feed losses.41“Manure storage structure” means a formed manure storage structure or an unformed manure storage structure.aA manure storage structure includes a dry bedded manure storage structure as defined in section 459B.102.bA manure storage structure does not include an egg washwater storage structure.42“One hundred year floodplain” means the land adjacent to a major water source, if there is at least a one percent chance that the land will be inundated in any one year, according to calculations adopted by rules adopted pursuant to section 459.103. In making the calculations, the department shall consider available maps or data compiled by the federal emergency management agency.43“Permittee” means a person who, pursuant to section 459.303, obtains a permit for the construction of a manure storage structure, or a confinement feeding operation, if a manure storage structure is connected to the confinement feeding operation.44“Professional engineer” means a person engaged in the practice of engineering as defined in section 542B.2 who is issued a certificate of licensure as a professional engineer pursuant to section 542B.17.45“Public thoroughfare” means a road, street, or bridge that is constructed or maintained by the state or a political subdivision.46“Public use area” means any of the following:aA portion of land owned by the United States, the state, or a political subdivision with facilities which attract the public to congregate and remain in the area for significant periods of time, as provided by rules which shall be adopted by the department pursuant to chapter 17A.bA cemetery.47“Qualified confinement feeding operation” means a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of any of the following:aFor a confinement feeding operation maintaining animals other than swine as part of a farrowing and gestating operation or farrow-to-finish operation or cattle as part of a cattle operation, five thousand three hundred thirty-three or more animal units.b1For a confinement feeding operation maintaining swine as part of a farrowing and gestating operation, two thousand five hundred or more animal units.2In calculating the animal unit capacity of a confinement feeding operation under subparagraph (1), an animal unit does not include replacement breeding swine, if all of the following apply:aThe replacement breeding swine are raised at the confinement feeding operation.bThe replacement breeding swine are used in the farrowing and gestating operation.3The method of calculating animal units under subparagraph (2) shall only be used for purposes of determining whether a confinement feeding operation is a qualified confinement feeding operation subject to section 459.206.cFor a confinement feeding operation maintaining swine as part of a swine farrow-to-finish operation, five thousand four hundred or more animal units.dFor a confinement feeding operation maintaining cattle, eight thousand five hundred or more animal units.48“Qualified stockpile cover” means a barrier impermeable to precipitation that is used to protect a stockpile from precipitation.49“Qualified stockpile structure” means any of the following:aA building.bA roofed structure other than a building that is all of the following:1Impermeable to precipitation.2Constructed using wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl, plastic, or other similar materials.3Constructed with walls or other means to prevent precipitation-induced surface runoff from contacting the stockpile.50“Religious institution” means a building in which an active congregation is devoted to worship.51“Restricted spray irrigation equipment” means spray irrigation equipment which disperses manure through an orifice at a maximum pressure of eighty pounds per square inch or more.52“Small animal feeding operation” means an animal feeding operation which has an animal unit capacity of five hundred or fewer animal units.53“Snow covered ground” means soil covered by one inch or more of snow or soil covered by one-half inch or more of ice.54“Spray irrigation equipment” means mechanical equipment used for the aerial application of manure, if the equipment receives manure from a manure storage structure during application via a pipe or hose connected to the structure, and includes a type of equipment customarily used for the aerial application of water to aid the growing of general farm crops.55“Stockpile” means dry manure originating from a confinement feeding operation that is stored at a particular location outside a manure storage structure.56“Stockpile dry manure” means to create or add to a stockpile.57“Surface water drain tile intake” means an opening to a drain tile which allows surface water to enter the drain tile without filtration through the soil profile.58“Swine farrow-to-finish operation” means a confinement feeding operation in which porcine animals are produced and in which a primary portion of the phases of the production cycle are conducted at one confinement feeding operation. Phases of the production cycle include but are not limited to gestation, farrowing, growing, and finishing.59“Unformed manure storage structure” means a covered or uncovered impoundment used to store manure, other than a formed manure storage structure, which includes an anaerobic lagoon, aerobic structure, or earthen manure storage basin.60“Water of the state” means the same as defined in section 455B.171.61“Water source” means a lake, river, reservoir, creek, stream, ditch, or other body of water or channel having definite banks and a bed with water flow, except lakes or ponds without outlet to which only one landowner is riparian.95 Acts, ch 195, §15CS95, §455B.16198 Acts, ch 1209, §12, 13, 53; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §7, 8, 32, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, ch 1138, §1 – 3, 5; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §248, 260, 262C2003, §459.1022003 Acts, ch 44, §71, 72; 2003 Acts, ch 52, §1, 6; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §82; 2003 Acts, ch 138, §1, 2; 2003 Acts, ch 163, §1, 2, 23; 2004 Acts, ch 1086, §77; 2005 Acts, ch 136, §34, 35; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §59; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §143, 147, 148; 2009 Acts, ch 38, §1, 16; 2009 Acts, ch 155, §1, 32, 34; 2012 Acts, ch 1036, §2; 2012 Acts, ch 1085, §1, 2; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §141; 2018 Acts, ch 1078, §1 – 3; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §62; 2021 Acts, ch 157, §1459.103General authority — commission and department.1The commission shall establish by rule adopted pursuant to chapter 17A, requirements relating to the construction, including expansion, or operation of animal feeding operations, including related animal feeding operation structures. The requirements shall include but are not limited to minimum manure control, the issuance of permits, and departmental investigations, inspections, and testing.2Any provision referring generally to compliance with the requirements of this chapter as applied to animal feeding operations also includes compliance with requirements in rules adopted by the commission pursuant to this section, orders issued by the department as authorized under this chapter, and the terms and conditions applicable to licenses, certifications, permits, or manure management plans required under subchapter III. However, for purposes of approving or disapproving an application for a construction permit as provided in section 459.304, conditions for the approval of an application based on results produced by a master matrix are not requirements of this chapter until the department approves or disapproves an application based on those results.3Rules adopted to implement this chapter are not subject to section 17A.7, subsection 2 or 3.98 Acts, ch 1209, §25C99, §455B.2002002 Acts, ch 1137, §27, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §250, 259, 260, 262C2003, §459.1032003 Acts, ch 163, §3, 23; 2007 Acts, ch 82, §2; 2024 Acts, ch 1169, §19Reserved.IIANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS— AIR QUALITY459.201Special terms.For purposes of this subchapter, all of the following shall apply:1Two or more animal feeding operations under common ownership or management are deemed to be a single animal feeding operation if they are adjacent or utilize a common system for manure storage. For purposes of determining whether two or more confinement feeding operations are adjacent, all of the following must apply:aAt least one confinement feeding operation structure must be constructed on or after March 21, 1996.bA confinement feeding operation structure which is part of one confinement feeding operation is separated by less than a minimum required distance from a confinement feeding operation structure which is part of the other confinement feeding operation. The minimum required distance shall be as follows:1aOne thousand two hundred fifty feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of less than three thousand animal units for animals other than swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation or farrow-to-finish operation, or cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.bOne thousand two hundred fifty feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of less than one thousand two hundred fifty animal units for swine maintained as part of a farrowing and gestating operation, less than two thousand seven hundred animal units for swine maintained as part of a farrow-to-finish operation, or less than four thousand animal units for cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.2aOne thousand five hundred feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of three thousand or more but less than five thousand animal units for animals other than swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation or farrow-to-finish operation, or cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.bOne thousand five hundred feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of one thousand two hundred fifty or more but less than two thousand animal units for swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation, two thousand seven hundred or more but less than five thousand four hundred animal units for swine maintained as part of a farrow-to-finish operation, or four thousand or more but less than six thousand five hundred animal units for cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.3aTwo thousand five hundred feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of five thousand or more animal units for animals other than swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation or farrow-to-finish operation, or cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.bTwo thousand five hundred feet for a confinement feeding operation having an animal unit capacity of two thousand or more animal units for swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation, five thousand four hundred animal units or more for swine maintained as part of a farrow-to-finish operation, or six thousand five hundred or more animal units for cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.2A confinement feeding operation structure is “constructed” when any of the following occurs:aExcavation for a proposed confinement feeding operation structure or proposed expansion of an existing confinement feeding operation structure, including excavation for the footings of the confinement feeding operation structure.bForms for concrete are installed for a proposed confinement feeding operation structure or the proposed expansion of an existing confinement feeding operation structure.cPiping for the movement of manure is installed within or between confinement feeding operation structures as proposed or proposed to be expanded.3In calculating the animal unit capacity of a confinement feeding operation, the animal unit capacity shall include the animal unit capacity of all confinement feeding operation buildings which are part of the confinement feeding operation, unless a confinement feeding operation building has been abandoned.4A confinement feeding operation structure is abandoned if the confinement feeding operation structure has been razed, removed from the site of a confinement feeding operation, filled in with earth, or converted to uses other than a confinement feeding operation structure so that it cannot be used as a confinement feeding operation structure without significant reconstruction.5All distances between locations of objects provided in this part shall be measured in feet from their closest points, as provided by rules adopted by the department. However, a distance between a public thoroughfare and a confinement feeding operation structure shall be measured from the portion of the right-of-way which is closest to the confinement feeding operation structure.98 Acts, ch 1209, §14, 53C99, §455B.161A2002 Acts, ch 1137, §9, 10, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.201459.202Confinement feeding operations structures — separation distances.The following shall apply to confinement feeding operation structures:1aExcept as provided in subsection 3 and sections 459.203, 459.205, and 459.206, this subsection applies to confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after May 31, 1995, but prior to January 1, 1999; and to the expansion of structures constructed prior to January 1, 1999.bThe following table represents the minimum separation distance in feet required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a residence not owned by the owner of the confinement feeding operation, or a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, or an educational institution:Minimum separationdistance in feet foroperations havingMinimum separationan animal weightMinimum separationdistance in feet forcapacity of 625,000distance in feet foroperations havingor more pounds butoperations havingan animal weightless than 1,250,000an animal weightcapacity of less thanpounds for animalscapacity of 1,250,000625,000 pounds forother than cattle,or more pounds foranimals other thanor 1,600,000 or moreanimals other thancattle, or less thanpounds but less thancattle, or 4,000,0001,600,000 pounds for 4,000,000 pounds for or more pounds forType of structurecattlecattlecattleAnaerobic lagoon1,2501,8752,500Uncovered earthenmanure storage basin1,2501,8752,500Uncovered formedmanure storagestructure1,0001,5002,000Covered earthen manure storage basin7501,0001,500Covered formedmanure storagestructure7501,0001,500Confinement building7501,0001,500Egg washwaterstorage structure7501,0001,5002aExcept as provided in subsection 3 and sections 459.203, 459.205, and 459.206, this subsection applies to confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to March 1, 2003, and to the expansion of structures constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to March 1, 2003.bThe following table represents the minimum separation distance in feet required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a residence not owned by the owner of the confinement feeding operation, or a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, or an educational institution:Minimum separationdistance in feet foroperations havingMinimum separationan animal weightMinimum separationdistance in feet forcapacity of 625,000distance in feet foroperations havingor more pounds butoperations havingan animal weightless than 1,250,000an animal weightcapacity of less thanpounds for animalscapacity of 1,250,000625,000 pounds forother than cattle,or more pounds foranimals other thanor 1,600,000 or moreanimals other thancattle, or less thanpounds but less thancattle, or 4,000,0001,600,000 pounds for4,000,000 pounds foror more pounds forType of structurecattlecattlecattleAnaerobic lagoon1,2501,8752,500 Uncovered earthenmanure storage basin1,2501,8752,500 Uncovered formedmanure storagestructure1,2501,5002,000 Covered earthenmanure storagebasin1,0001,2501,875 Covered formedmanure storagestructure1,0001,2501,875 Confinement building1,0001,2501,875 Egg washwater storagestructure7501,0001,5003aExcept as provided in sections 459.203, 459.205, and 459.206, this subsection applies to confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after May 31, 1995, but prior to March 1, 2003; to the expansion of structures constructed on or after May 31, 1995, but prior to March 1, 2003; and to the expansion of structures constructed prior to May 31, 1995.bThe following table represents the minimum separation distance in feet required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a public use area; or between a confinement feeding operation structure and a residence not owned by the owner of the confinement feeding operation, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, or an educational institution, if the residence, commercial enterprise, religious institution, or educational institution is located within the corporate limits of a city:Minimum separationdistance in feet foroperations havingMinimum separationan animal weightMinimum separationdistance in feet forcapacity of 625,000distance in feet foroperations havingor more pounds but operations havingan animal weightless than 1,250,000an animal weightcapacity of less than pounds for animalscapacity of 1,250,000625,000 pounds forother than cattle,or more pounds foranimals other thanor 1,600,000 or moreanimals other thancattle, or less thanpounds but less thancattle, or 4,000,0001,600,000 pounds for 4,000,000 pounds foror more pounds for Type of structurecattlecattlecattleConfinement feedingoperation structure1,2501,8752,5004aExcept as provided in subsection 5 and sections 459.203, 459.205, and 459.206, this subsection applies to confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after March 1, 2003, and to the expansion of confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after March 1, 2003.bThe following table represents the minimum separation distance in feet required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a residence not owned by the owner of the confinement feeding operation, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, or an educational institution:For a confinementFor a confinementfeeding operationFor a confinementfeeding operationhaving an animalfeeding operationhaving an animalunit capacity ofhaving an animalunit capacity of1,000 or more butunit capacity ofless than 1,000less than 3,0003,000 or moreType of structureanimal unitsanimal unitsanimal unitsAnaerobic lagoon1,8752,5003,000 Uncovered earthenmanure storage basin1,8752,5003,000 Uncovered formedmanure storagestructure1,5002,0002,500 Covered earthenmanure storage basin1,2501,8752,375 Covered formed manurestorage structure1,2501,8752,375 Confinement building1,2501,8752,375 Egg washwaterstorage structure1,0001,5002,0005aExcept as provided in sections 459.203, 459.205, and 459.206, this subsection applies to confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after March 1, 2003, and to the expansion of confinement feeding operation structures constructed on or after March 1, 2003.bThe following table represents the minimum separation distance in feet required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a public use area; or between a confinement feeding operation structure and a residence not owned by the owner of the confinement feeding operation, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, or an educational institution, if the residence, commercial enterprise, religious institution, or educational institution is located within the corporate limits of a city:For a confinementFor a confinementfeeding operationFor a confinementfeeding operationhaving an animalfeeding operationhaving an animalunit capacity ofhaving an animalunit capacity of1,000 or more butunit capacity ofless than 1,000less than 3,0003,000 or moreType of structureanimal unitsanimal unitsanimal unitsConfinement feedingoperation structure1,8752,5003,0006Except as provided in section 459.205, a confinement feeding operation structure shall not be constructed or expanded within one hundred feet from a public thoroughfare.95 Acts, ch 195, §16CS95, §455B.16298 Acts, ch 1209, §15 – 17, 53; 99 Acts, ch 114, §58, 59; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §11 – 17, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.2022013 Acts, ch 30, §104 – 108; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §117, 118459.203Separation distance requirements for confinement feeding operations — expansion of prior constructed operations.A confinement feeding operation constructed or expanded prior to the date that a distance requirement became effective under section 459.202 and which does not comply with the section’s distance requirement may continue to operate regardless of the distance requirement. The confinement feeding operation may be expanded if any of the following applies:1aFor a confinement feeding operation constructed prior to January 1, 1999, any construction or expansion of a confinement feeding operation structure complies with the distance requirements applying to that structure as provided in section 459.202, subsections 1 and 3.bFor a confinement feeding operation constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to March 1, 2003, any construction or expansion of a confinement feeding operation structure complies with the distance requirements applying to that structure as provided in section 459.202, subsections 2 and 3.cFor a confinement feeding operation constructed on or after March 1, 2003, any construction or expansion of a confinement feeding operation structure complies with the distance requirements applying to that structure as provided in section 459.202, subsections 4 and 5.2All of the following apply to the expansion of the confinement feeding operation:aNo portion of the confinement feeding operation after expansion is closer than before expansion to a location or object for which separation is required under section 459.202.bFor a confinement feeding operation that includes a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to March 1, 2003, the animal weight capacity of the confinement feeding operation as expanded is not more than the lesser of the following:1Double its animal weight capacity on the following dates:aMay 31, 1995, for a confinement feeding operation that includes a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to January 1, 1999.bJanuary 1, 1999, for a confinement feeding operation that only includes a confinement feeding operation structure constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but does include a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to March 1, 2003.2Either of the following:aSix hundred twenty-five thousand pounds animal weight capacity for animals other than cattle.bOne million six hundred thousand pounds animal weight capacity for cattle.cFor a confinement feeding operation that does not include a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to March 1, 2003, the animal unit capacity of the confinement feeding operation as expanded is not more than the lesser of the following:1Double its animal unit capacity on March 1, 2003.2One thousand animal units.3The confinement feeding operation includes a confinement feeding operation structure that is constructed prior to March 1, 2003, and is expanded by replacing one or more unformed manure storage structures with one or more formed manure storage structures, if all of the following apply:aThe animal weight capacity or animal unit capacity, whichever is applicable, is not increased for that portion of the confinement feeding operation that utilizes all replacement formed manure storage structures.bUse of each replaced unformed manure storage structure is discontinued within one year after the construction of the replacement formed manure storage structure.cThe capacity of all replacement formed manure storage structures does not exceed the amount required to store manure produced by that portion of the confinement feeding operation utilizing the formed manure storage structures during any fourteen-month period.dNo portion of the replacement formed manure storage structure is closer to an object or location for which separation is required under section 459.202 than any other confinement feeding operation structure which is part of the operation.95 Acts, ch 195, §17CS95, §455B.16398 Acts, ch 1209, §18, 53; 99 Acts, ch 114, §58, 59; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §18 – 20, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.203459.204Liquid manure application — separation distance.Except as provided in section 459.205, a person shall not apply liquid manure from a confinement feeding operation on land located within seven hundred fifty feet from a residence not owned by the titleholder of the land, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, an educational institution, or a public use area.C2001, §455B.162(5)2002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.204459.204AStockpiling dry manure.A person may stockpile dry manure so long as the person stockpiles the dry manure in compliance with restrictions applicable to stockpiling as provided in this subchapter and subchapter III.2009 Acts, ch 38, §2, 16459.204BStockpiling dry manure — minimum separation distance requirements.Except as provided in section 459.205, a person shall not stockpile dry manure within one thousand two hundred fifty feet from a residence not owned by the titleholder of the land, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, an educational institution, or a public use area.2009 Acts, ch 38, §3, 16459.205Separation distance requirements — exemptions.A separation distance requirement provided in this subchapter shall not apply to the following:1A confinement feeding operation structure, if the structure is part of a confinement feeding operation which qualifies as a small animal feeding operation. However, this subsection shall not apply if the confinement feeding operation structure is an unformed manure storage structure.2aA confinement feeding operation structure which is constructed or expanded, if the titleholder of the land benefiting from the distance separation requirement executes a written waiver with the titleholder of the land where the structure is located. If a confinement feeding operation structure is constructed or expanded within the separation distance required between a confinement feeding operation structure and a public thoroughfare as required pursuant to section 459.202, the state or a political subdivision constructing or maintaining the public thoroughfare benefiting from the distance separation requirement may execute a written waiver with the titleholder of the land where the structure is located. The confinement feeding operation structure shall be constructed or expanded under such terms and conditions that the parties negotiate.bA written waiver under this subsection becomes effective only upon the recording of the waiver in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county in which the benefited land is located. The filed waiver shall preclude enforcement by the state of section 459.202 as it relates to a distance requirement between the confinement feeding operation structure and the location or object benefiting from the separation distance requirement.3A confinement feeding operation structure which is constructed or expanded within any distance from a residence, educational institution, commercial enterprise, bona fide religious institution, city, or public use area, if the residence, educational institution, commercial enterprise, or bona fide religious institution was constructed or expanded, or the boundaries of the city or public use area were expanded, after the date that the confinement feeding operation was established. The date the confinement feeding operation was established is the date on which the confinement feeding operation commenced operating. A change in ownership or expansion of the confinement feeding operation shall not change the established date of operation.4The application of liquid manure on land within a separation distance required between the applied manure and an object or location for which separation is required under section 459.204, if any of the following apply:aThe liquid manure is injected into the soil or incorporated within the soil not later than twenty-four hours from the original application, as provided by rules adopted by the commission.bThe titleholder of the land benefiting from the separation distance requirement executes a written waiver with the titleholder of the land where the manure is applied.cThe liquid manure originates from a small animal feeding operation.dThe liquid manure is applied by spray irrigation equipment using a center pivot mechanism as provided by rules adopted by the department, if all of the following apply:1The spray irrigation equipment uses hoses which discharge the liquid manure in a downward direction at a height of not more than nine feet above the soil.2The spray irrigation equipment disperses manure through an orifice at a maximum pressure of not more than twenty-five pounds per square inch.3The liquid manure is not applied within two hundred fifty feet from a residence not owned by the titleholder of the land, a commercial enterprise, a bona fide religious institution, an educational institution, or a public use area.5The stockpiling of dry manure within a separation distance required between a stockpile and an object or location for which separation is required under section 459.204B if any of the following apply:aThe titleholder of the land benefiting from the separation distance requirement executes a written waiver with the titleholder of the land where the stockpile is located.bThe stockpile consists of dry manure originating from a small animal feeding operation.cThe stockpile consists of dry manure originating from a confinement feeding operation that was constructed before January 1, 2006, unless the confinement feeding operation is expanded after that date.6The distance between a confinement feeding operation structure and a cemetery, if any of the following applies:aThe confinement feeding operation structure was constructed or expanded prior to January 1, 1999.bThe construction or expansion of the confinement feeding operation structure began prior to January 1, 1999.95 Acts, ch 195, §19CS95, §455B.16598 Acts, ch 1209, §20, 21, 53; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §31; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §21, 22, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.2052009 Acts, ch 38, §4, 16459.206Qualified confinement feeding operations — manure storage structures.1Except as provided in subsection 2, a qualified confinement feeding operation storing manure in a manure storage structure shall only use a manure storage structure that employs bacterial action which is maintained by the utilization of air or oxygen, and which shall include aeration equipment. The type and degree of treatment technology required to be installed shall be based on the size of the confinement feeding operation, according to rules adopted by the department. The equipment shall be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and requirements of rules adopted pursuant to this section.2The requirements of subsection 1 do not apply to any of the following:aA qualified confinement feeding operation which includes a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to May 31, 1995.bA qualified confinement feeding operation that stores dry manure.cA qualified confinement feeding operation that processes manure using an anaerobic digester system.C2001, §455B.162(6)2002 Acts, ch 1137, §16, 17, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.2062009 Acts, ch 38, §5, 16; 2021 Acts, ch 157, §2459.207Animal feeding operations — airborne pollutants control.1As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:a“Airborne pollutant” means hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or odor.b“Separated location” means a location or object from which a separation distance is required under section 459.202 or 459.204, other than a public thoroughfare.2The department shall conduct a comprehensive field study to monitor the level of airborne pollutants emitted from animal feeding operations in this state, including but not limited to each type of confinement feeding operation structure.3aAfter the completion of the field study, the department may develop comprehensive plans and programs for the abatement, control, and prevention of airborne pollutants originating from animal feeding operations in accordance with this section. The comprehensive plans and programs may be developed if the baseline data from the field study demonstrates to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty that airborne pollutants emitted by an animal feeding operation are present at a separated location at levels commonly known to cause a material and verifiable adverse health effect. The department may adopt any comprehensive plans or programs in accordance with chapter 17A prior to implementation or enforcement of an air quality standard but in no event shall the plans and programs provide for the enforcement of an air quality standard prior to December 1, 2004.bAny air quality standard established by the department for animal feeding operations shall be based on and enforced at distances measured from a confinement feeding operation structure to a separated location. In providing for the enforcement of the standards, the department shall take all initial measurements at the separated location. If the department determines that a violation of the standards exists, the department may conduct an investigation to trace the source of the airborne pollutant. This section does not prohibit the department from entering the premises of an animal feeding operation in compliance with section 455B.103. The department shall comply with standard biosecurity requirements customarily required by the animal feeding operation which are necessary in order to control the spread of disease among an animal population.cThe department shall establish recommended best management practices, mechanisms, processes, or infrastructure under the comprehensive plans and programs in order to reduce the airborne pollutants emitted from an animal feeding operation.dThe department shall provide a procedure for the approval and monitoring of alternative or experimental practices, mechanisms, processes, or infrastructure to reduce the airborne pollutants emitted from an animal feeding operation, which may be incorporated as part of the comprehensive plans and programs developed under this section.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §23, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262Reserved.IIIANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS— WATER QUALITY459.301Special terms.For purposes of this subchapter, all of the following shall apply:1Two or more animal feeding operations under common ownership or management are deemed to be a single animal feeding operation if they are adjacent or utilize a common area or system for manure disposal. In addition, for purposes of determining whether two or more confinement feeding operations are adjacent, all of the following must apply:aAt least one confinement feeding operation structure must be constructed on or after May 21, 1998.bA confinement feeding operation structure which is part of one confinement feeding operation is separated by less than a minimum required distance from a confinement feeding operation structure which is part of the other confinement feeding operation. The minimum required distance shall be as follows:1One thousand two hundred fifty feet for confinement feeding operations having a combined animal unit capacity of less than one thousand animal units.2Two thousand five hundred feet for confinement feeding operations having a combined animal unit capacity of one thousand animal units or more.2A confinement feeding operation structure is “constructed” in the same manner as provided in section 459.201.3aIn calculating the animal unit capacity of a confinement feeding operation, the animal unit capacity shall include the animal unit capacity of all confinement feeding operation buildings which are part of the confinement feeding operation, unless a confinement feeding operation building has been abandoned as provided in section 459.201.bIn calculating animal unit capacity for purposes of an election to be considered a small animal feeding operation as provided in section 459.312A, the animal unit capacity of a confinement feeding operation shall include all confinement feeding operation buildings that are used to do any of the following:1House animals.2Store manure.4All distances between locations or objects provided in this subchapter shall be measured in feet from their closest points.5The department shall designate by rule each one hundred year floodplain in this state according to the location of the one hundred year floodplain. A person shall not be prohibited from constructing a confinement feeding operation structure on a one hundred year floodplain unless the one hundred year floodplain is designated by rule in accordance with this subsection.6Dry manure that is stockpiled within a distance of one thousand two hundred fifty feet from another stockpile shall be considered part of the same stockpile.98 Acts, ch 1209, §27, 53C99, §455B.200B2002 Acts, ch 1137, §30 – 32, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §252, 253, 259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3012003 Acts, ch 44, §73; 2009 Acts, ch 38, §6, 16; 2013 Acts, ch 106, §1459.302Document processing requirements.1The department shall adopt and promulgate forms required to be completed in order to comply with this subchapter including forms for documents that the department shall make available on the internet.2aThe department shall provide for procedures for the receipt, filing, processing, and return of documents in an electronic format, including but not limited to the transmission of documents by the internet. The department shall provide for authentication of the documents that may include electronic signatures as provided in chapter 554D.bThe department shall to every extent feasible provide for the processing of permits and manure management plans required under this subchapter using electronic systems, including programming, necessary to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the documents in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §34, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262459.303Confinement feeding operations — permit requirements.1The department shall approve or disapprove applications for permits for the construction, including the expansion, of confinement feeding operation structures, as provided by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. The department’s decision to approve or disapprove a permit for the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure shall be based on whether the application is submitted according to procedures required by the department and the application meets standards established by the department. A person shall not begin construction of a confinement feeding operation structure requiring a permit under this section, unless the department first approves the person’s application and issues to the person a construction permit. The department shall provide conditions for requiring when a person must obtain a construction permit.aExcept as provided in paragraph “b”, a person must obtain a permit to construct any of the following:1A confinement feeding operation structure if after construction its confinement feeding operation would have an animal unit capacity of at least one thousand animal units.2The confinement feeding operation structure is an unformed manure storage structure.bA person is not required to obtain a permit to construct a confinement feeding operation structure if any of the following apply:1The confinement feeding operation structure, if constructed, would be part of a small animal feeding operation. However, the person must obtain a permit under this section if the confinement feeding operation structure is an unformed manure storage structure.2The confinement feeding operation structure is part of a confinement feeding operation which is owned by a research college conducting research activities as provided in section 459.318.2The department shall issue a construction permit upon approval of an application. The department shall approve the application if the application is submitted to the county board of supervisors in the county where the proposed confinement feeding operation structure is to be located as required pursuant to section 459.304, and the application meets the requirements of this chapter. If a county submits an approved recommendation pursuant to a construction evaluation resolution filed with the department, the application must also achieve a satisfactory rating produced by the master matrix used by the board or department under section 459.304. The department shall approve the application regardless of whether the applicant is required to be issued a construction permit.3The department shall not approve an application for a construction permit unless the applicant submits all of the following:aAn indemnity fee as provided in section 459.502 that the department shall deposit into the livestock remediation fund created in section 459.501.bA manure management plan as provided in section 459.312 and manure management plan filing fee as provided in section 459.400.cA construction permit application fee as provided in section 459.400.dA livestock odor mitigation evaluation certificate issued by Iowa state university as provided in section 266.49. The department shall not obtain, maintain, or consider the results of an evaluation. The applicant is not required to submit the certificate if any of the following applies:1The confinement feeding operation is twice the minimum separation distance required from the nearest object or location from which a separation distance is required pursuant to section 459.202 on the date of the application, not including a public thoroughfare.2The owner of each object or location which is less than twice the minimum separation distance required pursuant to section 459.202 from the confinement feeding operation on the date of the application, other than a public thoroughfare, executes a document consenting to the construction.3The applicant submits a document swearing that Iowa state university has failed to furnish a certificate to the applicant within forty-five days after the applicant requested the university to conduct a livestock odor mitigation evaluation as provided in section 266.49.4The application is for a permit to expand a confinement feeding operation, if the confinement feeding operation was first constructed before January 1, 2009.5Iowa state university does not provide for a livestock odor mitigation evaluation effort as provided in section 266.49, for any reason, including because funding is not available.4The applicant may submit a master matrix as completed by the applicant.5aA confinement feeding operation meets threshold requirements under this subsection if the confinement feeding operation after construction of a proposed confinement feeding operation structure would have a minimum animal unit capacity of the following:1Three thousand animal units for animals other than swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation or farrow-to-finish operation or cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.2One thousand two hundred fifty animal units for swine maintained as part of a swine farrowing and gestating operation.3Two thousand seven hundred fifty animal units for swine maintained as part of a farrow-to-finish operation.4Four thousand animal units for cattle maintained as part of a cattle operation.bThe department shall not approve an application for a construction permit unless the following apply:1If the application is for a permit to construct an unformed manure storage structure, the application must include a statement approved by a professional engineer certifying that the construction of the unformed manure storage structure complies with the construction design standards required in this subchapter.2If the application is for a permit to construct three or more confinement feeding operation structures, the application must include a statement providing that the construction of the confinement feeding operation structures will not impede drainage through established drainage tile lines which cross property boundary lines unless measures are taken to reestablish the drainage prior to completion of construction. For a confinement feeding operation that meets threshold requirements, the statement must be approved by a professional engineer. Otherwise, if the application is for a permit to construct a formed manure storage structure, the statement must be part of the construction design statement as provided in section 459.306.3If the application is for a permit to construct a formed manure storage structure, other than for a confinement feeding operation meeting threshold requirements, the applicant must include a construction design statement as provided in section 459.306. An application for a permit to construct a formed manure storage structure as part of a confinement feeding operation that meets threshold requirements must include a statement approved by a professional engineer certifying that the construction of the formed manure storage structure complies with the requirements of this subchapter.4The department may only require that an application for a permit to construct a formed manure storage structure or egg washwater storage structure that is part of a confinement feeding operation meeting threshold requirements include an engineering report, construction plans, or specifications prepared by a licensed professional engineer or the natural resources conservation service of the United States department of agriculture.6As a condition to approving an application for a construction permit, the department may require any of the following:aThe installation of a related pollution control device or practice, including but not limited to the installation and operation of a water pollution monitoring system for an unformed manure storage structure.bThe department’s approval of the installation of any proposed system to permanently lower the groundwater table at a site as part of the construction of an unformed manure storage structure, as is necessary to ensure that the unformed manure storage structure does not pollute groundwater sources, including providing for standards as provided in section 459.308.7aThe department shall not issue a permit to a person under this section if an enforcement action by the department, relating to a violation of this chapter concerning a confinement feeding operation in which the person has an interest, is pending, as provided in section 459.317.bThe department shall not issue a permit to a person under this section for five years after the date of the last violation committed by a person or confinement feeding operation in which the person holds a controlling interest during which the person or operation was classified as a habitual violator under section 459.604.98 Acts, ch 1209, §26, 53C99, §455B.200A2002 Acts, ch 1137, §28, 29, 68, 70, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §251, 259 – 262C2003, §459.3032003 Acts, ch 44, §74; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §83; 2008 Acts, ch 1174, §11 – 14; 2011 Acts, ch 81, §11459.304Construction permit application procedure — county participation — comments — master matrix.1aThe department shall deliver a copy or require the applicant to deliver a copy of the application for a permit to construct, including expanding, a confinement feeding operation structure pursuant to section 459.303, including supporting documents, to the county board of supervisors in the county where the confinement feeding operation structure subject to the permit is proposed to be constructed.bThe county auditor or other county officer designated by the county board of supervisors may accept the application on behalf of the board. If the department requires the applicant to deliver a copy of the application to the county board of supervisors, the board shall notify the department that the board has received the application according to procedures required by the department.2Regardless of whether the county board of supervisors has adopted a construction evaluation resolution, the county may provide comment to the department on a construction permit application for a confinement feeding operation structure.aThe board shall provide for comment as follows:1The board shall publish a notice that the board has received the application in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county.2The notice shall include all of the following:aThe name of the person applying to receive the construction permit.bThe name of the township where the confinement feeding operation structure is to be constructed.cEach type of confinement feeding operation structure proposed to be constructed.dThe animal unit capacity of the confinement feeding operation if the construction permit were to be approved.eThe time when and the place where the application may be examined as provided in section 22.2.fProcedures for providing public comments to the board as provided by the board.bThe board may hold a public hearing to receive public comments regarding the application. The county board of supervisors may submit comments by the board and the public to the department as provided in this section, including but not limited to all of the following:1The existence of an object or location not included in the application that benefits from a separation distance requirement as provided in section 459.202 or 459.204 or 459.310.2The suitability of soils and the hydrology of the site where construction of a confinement feeding operation structure is proposed.3The availability of land for the application of manure originating from the confinement feeding operation.4Whether the construction of a proposed confinement feeding operation structure will impede drainage through established tile lines, laterals, or other improvements which are constructed to facilitate the drainage of land not owned by the person applying for the construction permit.3A county board of supervisors may adopt a construction evaluation resolution relating to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure. The board must submit such resolution to the department for filing. If the board has submitted such resolution to the department, the board may evaluate the construction permit application and submit an adopted recommendation to the department to approve or disapprove a construction permit application as provided in this subsection. The board must make its decision to recommend approval or disapproval of the permit application as provided in this subsection.aFor the expansion of a confinement feeding operation that includes a confinement feeding operation structure constructed prior to April 1, 2002, the board shall not evaluate a construction permit application for the construction or expansion of a confinement feeding operation structure if after the expansion of the confinement feeding operation, its animal unit capacity is one thousand six hundred sixty-six animal units or less.bThe board must conduct an evaluation of the application using the master matrix as provided in section 459.305. The board’s recommendation may be based on the master matrix or may be based on comments under this section regardless of the results of the master matrix.cIn completing the master matrix, the board shall not score criteria on a selective basis. The board must score all criteria which are part of the master matrix according to the terms and conditions relating to construction as specified in the application or commitments for manure management that are to be incorporated into a manure management plan as provided in section 459.312.dThe board’s adopted recommendation to the department shall include the specific reasons and any supporting documentation for the decision to recommend approval or disapproval of the application.4The department must receive the county board of supervisor’s comments or evaluation for approval or disapproval of an application for a construction permit not later than thirty days following the applicant’s delivery of the application to the department. Regardless of whether the department receives comments or an evaluation by a county board of supervisors, the department must approve or disapprove an application for a construction permit within sixty days following the applicant’s delivery of the application to the department. However, the applicant may deliver a notice requesting a continuance. Upon receipt of a notice, the time required for the county or department to act upon the application shall be suspended for the period provided in the notice, but for not more than thirty days after the department’s receipt of the notice. The applicant may submit more than one notice. However, the department may provide that an application is terminated if no action is required by the department for one year following delivery of the application to the board. The department may also provide for a continuance when it considers the application. The department shall provide notice to the applicant and the board of the continuance. The time required for the department to act upon the application shall be suspended for the period provided in the notice, but for not more than thirty days. However, the department shall not provide for more than one continuance.5aThe department shall approve an application for a construction permit if the board of supervisors which has filed a county construction evaluation resolution submits an adopted recommendation to approve the construction permit application which may be based on a satisfactory rating produced by the master matrix to the department and the department determines that the application meets the requirements of this chapter. The department shall disapprove an application that does not satisfy the requirements of this chapter regardless of the adopted recommendation of the board. The department shall consider any timely filed comments made by the board as provided in this section to determine if an application meets the requirements of this chapter.bIf the board submits to the department an adopted recommendation to disapprove an application for a construction permit that is based on a rating produced by the master matrix, the department shall first determine if the application meets the requirements of this chapter as provided in section 459.103. The department shall disapprove an application that does not satisfy the requirements of this chapter regardless of any result produced by using the master matrix. If the application meets the requirements of this chapter, the department shall conduct an independent evaluation of the application using the master matrix. The department shall approve the application if it achieves a satisfactory rating according to the department’s evaluation. The department shall disapprove the application if it produces an unsatisfactory rating regardless of whether the application satisfies the requirements of this chapter. The department shall consider any timely filed comments made by the board as provided in this section to determine if an application meets the requirements of this chapter.cIf the county board of supervisors does not submit a construction evaluation resolution to the department, fails to submit an adopted recommendation, submits only comments, or fails to submit comments, the department shall approve the application if the application meets the requirements of this chapter as provided in section 459.103.6The department may conduct an inspection of the site on which the construction is proposed after providing at a minimum twenty-four hours’ notice or upon receiving consent from the construction permit applicant. The county board of supervisors that has adopted a construction evaluation resolution may designate a county employee to accompany a departmental official during the site inspection. The county employee shall have the same right to access to the site’s real estate as the departmental official conducting the inspection during the period that the county employee accompanies the departmental official. The departmental official and the county employee shall comply with standard biosecurity requirements customarily required by the confinement feeding operation that are necessary in order to control the spread of disease among an animal population.7Upon written request by a county resident, the county board of supervisors shall forward to the county resident a copy of the board’s adopted recommendation, any county comments to the department on the permit application, and the department’s responses, as provided in chapter 22.8aThe department shall deliver a notice to the applicant within three days of the department’s decision to approve or disapprove an application for a construction permit. If the board of supervisors has submitted an adopted recommendation to the department for the approval or disapproval of a construction permit application as provided in this section, the department shall notify the board of the department’s decision to approve or disapprove the application at the same time.b1The applicant may contest the department’s decision by requesting a hearing and may elect to have the hearing conducted before an administrative law judge pursuant to chapter 17A or before the commission. If the applicant and a board of supervisors are both contesting the department’s decision, the applicant may request that the commission conduct the hearing on a consolidated basis. The commission shall hear the case according to procedures established by rules adopted by the department. The commission may hear the case as a contested case proceeding under chapter 17A. The department, upon petition by the applicant, shall deliver to the administrative law judge or the commission a copy of the board of supervisors’ recommendation together with the results produced by its master matrix and any supporting data or documents submitted with the results, comments submitted by the board to the department, and the department’s evaluation of the application including the results produced by its matrix and any supporting data or documents. If the commission hears the case, its decision shall be the department’s final agency action. The commission shall render a decision within thirty-five days from the date that the applicant or board files a demand for a hearing.2A county board of supervisors that has submitted an adopted recommendation to the department may contest the department’s decision by requesting a hearing before the commission. The commission shall hear the case according to procedures established by rules adopted by the department. The commission may hear the case as a contested case proceeding under chapter 17A. The board may request that the department submit a copy of the department’s evaluation of the application including the results produced by its matrix and any supporting data or documents. The decision by the commission shall be the department’s final agency action. The commission shall render a decision within thirty-five days from the date that the board initiates the proceeding.cJudicial review of the decision of either the department or the commission may be sought in accordance with the terms of chapter 17A.9An applicant for a construction permit may withdraw the permit application from consideration by the department at any time by filing a written request with the department. The filing of the request shall not prejudice the right of the applicant to resubmit the application.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §35, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §255, 259, 260, 262; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §119459.305Master matrix.1The department shall adopt rules for the development and use of a master matrix. The purpose of the master matrix is to provide a comprehensive assessment mechanism in order to produce a statistically verifiable basis for determining whether to approve or disapprove an application for the construction, including expansion, of a confinement feeding operation structure requiring a permit pursuant to section 459.303.aThe master matrix shall be used to establish conditions for the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure and for the implementation of manure management practices, which conditions shall be included in the approval of the construction permit or the original manure management plan as applicable. The master matrix shall be used to determine all of the following:1The appropriate location to construct a confinement feeding operation structure, including the proximity and orientation of a proposed confinement feeding operation structure to objects or locations for which separation distances are required pursuant to sections 459.202 or 459.204 and 459.310.2The appropriate type of a confinement feeding operation structure required to be constructed, including the type and size of the manure storage structure, or the installation of a related pollution-control device.bThe master matrix shall be designed to produce quantifiable results based on the scoring of objective criteria according to an established value scale. Each criterion shall be assigned points corresponding to the value scale. The master matrix shall consider risks and factors mitigating risks if the confinement feeding operation structure were constructed according to the application.cThe master matrix may be a computer model. However, the master matrix must be a practical tool for use by persons when completing applications and by persons when scoring applications. To every extent feasible, the master matrix shall include criteria presented in the form of questions that may be readily scored according to ascertainable data and upon which reasonable persons familiar with the location of a proposed construction site would not ordinarily disagree.2The master matrix shall include criteria valuing environmental and community impacts for use by county boards of supervisors and the department. The master matrix shall include definite point selections for all criteria provided in the master matrix. The master matrix shall provide only for scoring of positive points and shall not provide for deduction of points. The master matrix shall provide for a minimum threshold score required to receive a satisfactory rating. The master matrix shall be structured to ensure that it feasibly provides for a satisfactory rating. Criteria valuing environmental impacts shall account for animal agriculture’s relationship to quality of the environment and the conservation of natural resources, and may include factors that refer to all of the following:aTopography.bSurface water drainage characteristics.cThe suitability of the soils and the hydrology or hydrogeology of the site.dThe proximity to public use areas and critical public areas.eThe proximity to water sources, including high-quality water resources.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §36, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262459.306Construction design statement — formed manure storage structures.1aExcept as provided in paragraph “b”, a person shall not construct a formed manure storage structure, unless the person submits a construction design statement for filing with the department.bThe following persons are not required to submit a construction design statement with the department:1A person who constructs a formed manure storage structure as part of a small animal feeding operation.2A person who submits a statement approved by a professional engineer certifying that the construction of the formed manure storage structure complies with the construction design standards required in this subchapter, including a person required to submit such a statement as part of an application for a construction permit pursuant to section 459.303.2The construction design statement must include all of the following:aA summary description of the type of formed manure storage structure proposed to be constructed, including whether such formed manure storage structure is to be constructed of concrete.b1If the formed manure storage structure is to be constructed of concrete, a statement by the person responsible for constructing the formed manure storage structure certifying that such person will construct the formed manure storage structure in accordance with the construction design standards required in this subchapter.2If the formed manure storage structure is not to be constructed of concrete, a statement by the person responsible for constructing the formed manure storage structure certifying that such person will construct the formed manure storage structure in accordance with the construction design standards required in this subchapter.cIf a construction permit is required pursuant to section 459.303 for the construction of three or more confinement feeding operation structures that include a formed manure storage structure, the person responsible for constructing the formed manure storage structure must provide that the construction of the formed manure storage structure will not impede drainage through established drainage tile lines which cross property boundary lines unless measures are taken to reestablish the drainage prior to completion of construction.dA manure management plan as required in section 459.312 which may be submitted as part of an application for a construction permit as provided in section 459.303.3Unless the construction design statement is part of a construction permit application as provided in section 459.303, the department shall file the construction design statement. Otherwise, the department shall approve or disapprove the construction design statement as part of the construction permit application. The construction design statement shall be considered filed on the date that it is first received by the department. The department may request information from the person submitting the construction design statement if the department determines that it is incorrect or incomplete. Within thirty days after filing the construction design statement, the department shall notify the person that the construction design statement is filed and request any additional information.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §33, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §254, 259, 260, 262459.307Construction design standards — formed manure storage structures.The department shall adopt rules establishing construction design standards for formed manure storage structures that are part of confinement feeding operations other than small animal feeding operations. However, the construction design standards shall apply to a formed manure storage structure that is part of a small animal feeding operation as provided in section 459.310.1The department may provide for different standards based on criteria developed by the department, which may include any of the following:aThe animal unit capacity of the manure storage structure’s confinement feeding operation or the manure storage structure’s manure volume capacity.bWhether the manure storage structure stores only dry manure.cWhether the manure storage structure is part of a confinement feeding operation building.dThe use of concrete, including its use for the structure’s footings, walls, or floor.2The construction design standards shall be based, to every extent possible, on uniform standards such as available standards promulgated by ASTM (American society for testing and materials) international. The department may require that all or any part of a formed manure storage structure be constructed of concrete.3The construction design standards for concrete shall provide for all of the following:aThe concrete’s minimum compressive strength calculated on a pounds-per-square-inch basis.bThe use of reinforcement, including but not limited to the grade, amount, and location of steel rebar or fiberglass, wire mesh or fabric, or similar materials set in the concrete, or the use of exterior braces to support joints.cThe depth of footings.dThe thickness of the footings, the floor, and walls.4A person shall only construct a formed manure storage structure on karst terrain or an area which drains into a known sinkhole pursuant to upgraded construction design standards necessary to ensure that the structure does not pollute groundwater sources.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §50, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262; 2003 Acts, ch 84, §1, 6; 2004 Acts, ch 1086, §106; 2009 Acts, ch 38, §7, 16459.308Unformed manure storage structures — construction standards — inspections.1The department shall adopt rules requiring construction design standards for unformed manure storage structures required to be constructed pursuant to a construction permit issued pursuant to section 459.303.2The construction design standards for unformed manure storage structures established by the department shall account for special design characteristics of confinement feeding operations, including all of the following:aThe lining of the structure shall be constructed with materials deemed suitable by the department in order to minimize seepage loss through the lining’s seal.bThe structure shall be constructed with materials deemed suitable by the department in order to control erosion on the structure’s berm, side slopes, and base.cThe structure shall be constructed to minimize seepage into near-surface water sources.dThe top of the floor of the structure’s liner must be above the groundwater table as determined by the department. If the groundwater table is less than two feet below the top of the liner’s floor, the structure shall be installed with a synthetic liner. If the department allows an unformed manure storage structure to be located at a site by permanently lowering the groundwater table, the department shall confirm that the proposed system meets standards necessary to ensure that the structure does not pollute groundwater sources. If the department allows drain tile installed to lower a groundwater table to remain where located, the department shall require that a device be installed to allow monitoring of the water in the drain tile line. The department shall also require the installation of a device to allow shutoff of the drain tile lines, if the drain tile lines do not have a surface outlet accessible on the property where the structure is located.3A person shall not construct an unformed manure storage structure on karst terrain or on an area that drains into a known sinkhole. However, a person may construct an unformed manure storage structure, if there is a twenty-five-foot vertical separation distance between the bottom of the unformed manure storage structure and underlying limestone, dolomite, or other soluble rock.4aThe department shall conduct a routine inspection of each unformed manure storage structure at least once each year. A routine inspection conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be limited to a visual inspection of the site where the unformed manure storage structure is located. The department shall inspect the site at a reasonable time after providing at least twenty-four hours’ notice to the person owning or managing the confinement feeding operation. The visual inspection shall include, but not be limited to, determining whether any of the following exists:1An adequate freeboard level.2The seepage of manure from the unformed manure storage structure.3Erosion.4Inadequate vegetation cover.5The presence of an opening allowing manure to drain from the unformed manure storage structure.bNothing in this subsection restricts the department from conducting an inspection of a confinement feeding operation which is not routine.98 Acts, ch 1209, §36C99, §455B.2052002 Acts, ch 1137, §47 – 49, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259 – 261C2003, §459.3082003 Acts, ch 84, §2, 6459.309Settled open feedlot effluent basins — construction design standards.Repealed by 2005 Acts, ch 136, §37.See §459A.301. 459.310Distance requirements.1Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, the following shall apply:aA confinement feeding operation structure shall not be constructed closer than five hundred feet away from the surface intake of an agricultural drainage well. A confinement feeding operation structure shall not be constructed closer than one thousand feet from a wellhead, cistern of an agricultural drainage well, or known sinkhole. However, the department may adopt rules requiring an increased separation distance under this paragraph in order to protect the integrity of a water of the state. The increased separation distance shall not be more than two thousand feet. If the department exercises its discretion to increase the separation distance requirement, the department shall not approve an application for the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure within that separation distance as provided in section 459.303.bA confinement feeding operation structure shall not be constructed if the confinement feeding operation structure as constructed is closer than any of the following:1Five hundred feet away from a water source other than a major water source.2One thousand feet away from a major water source.3Two thousand five hundred feet away from a designated wetland.c1A water source, other than a major water source, shall not be constructed, expanded, or diverted, if the water source as constructed, expanded, or diverted is closer than five hundred feet away from a confinement feeding operation structure.2A major water source shall not be constructed, expanded, or diverted, if the major water source as constructed, expanded, or diverted is closer than one thousand feet from a confinement feeding operation structure.3A designated wetland shall not be established, if the designated wetland is closer than two thousand five hundred feet away from a confinement feeding operation structure.2Except as provided in subsection 4, a confinement feeding operation structure shall not be constructed on land that is part of a one hundred year floodplain as designated by rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 459.301.3A separation distance required in subsection 1 shall not apply to any of the following:aA location or object and a farm pond or privately owned lake, as defined in section 462A.2.bA confinement feeding operation building, an egg washwater storage structure, or a manure storage structure constructed with a secondary containment barrier. The department shall adopt rules providing for the construction and use of a secondary containment barrier, including construction design standards.4A separation distance required in subsection 1 or the prohibition against construction of a confinement feeding operation structure on a one hundred year floodplain as provided in subsection 2 shall not apply to a confinement feeding operation that includes a confinement feeding operation structure that was constructed prior to March 1, 2003, if any of the following apply:aOne or more unformed manure storage structures that are part of the confinement feeding operation are replaced with one or more formed manure storage structures on or after April 28, 2003, and all of the following apply:1The animal weight capacity or animal unit capacity, whichever is applicable, is not increased for that portion of the confinement feeding operation that utilizes all replacement formed manure storage structures.2The use of each replaced unformed manure storage structure is discontinued within one year after the construction of the replacement formed manure storage structure.3The capacity of all replacement formed manure storage structures does not exceed the amount required to store manure produced by that portion of the confinement feeding operation utilizing the formed manure storage structures during any eighteen-month period.4No portion of the replacement formed manure storage structure is closer to the location or object from which separation is required under subsection 1 than any other confinement feeding operation structure which is part of the operation.5The formed manure storage structure meets or exceeds the requirements of section 459.307.b1A formed manure storage structure that is part of the confinement feeding operation is constructed on or after April 28, 2003, pursuant to a variance granted by the department. In granting the variance, the department shall make a finding of all of the following:aThe replacement formed manure storage structure replaces the confinement feeding operation’s existing manure storage and handling facilities.bThe replacement formed manure storage structure complies with standards adopted pursuant to section 459.307.cThe replacement formed manure storage structure more likely than not provides a higher degree of environmental protection than the confinement feeding operation’s existing manure storage and handling facilities.2If the formed manure storage structure will replace any existing manure storage structure, the department shall, as a condition of granting the variance, require that the replaced manure storage structure be properly closed.5A person shall not construct or expand an unformed manure storage structure within an agricultural drainage well area as provided in section 460.205.95 Acts, ch 195, §26CS95, §455B.20498 Acts, ch 1209, §35, 53; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §44, 45, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3102003 Acts, ch 84, §3 – 6; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §84, 85; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143459.311Minimum requirements for manure control.1A confinement feeding operation shall retain all manure produced by the operation between periods of manure disposal. For purposes of this section, dry manure may be retained by stockpiling as provided in this subchapter. A confinement feeding operation shall not discharge manure directly into water of the state or into a tile line that discharges directly into water of the state.2Notwithstanding subsection 1, a confinement feeding operation that is a concentrated animal feeding operation as defined in 40 C.F.R. §122.23(b) shall comply with applicable national pollutant discharge elimination system permit requirements as provided in the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ch. 26, as amended, and 40 C.F.R. pts. 122 and 412, pursuant to rules that shall be adopted by the commission. Any rules adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be no more stringent than requirements under the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ch. 26, as amended, and 40 C.F.R. pts. 122 and 412.3Manure from an animal feeding operation shall be disposed of in a manner which will not cause surface water or groundwater pollution. Disposal in accordance with the provisions of state law, including this chapter, rules adopted pursuant to the provisions of state law, including this chapter, guidelines adopted pursuant to this chapter, and section 459.314, shall be deemed as compliance with this requirement.4The department may require that the owner of a confinement feeding operation install and operate a water pollution monitoring system as part of an unformed manure storage structure.5The owner of the confinement feeding operation which discontinues the use of the operation shall remove all manure from related confinement feeding operation structures used to store manure, by a date specified in an order issued to the operation by the department, or six months following the date that the confinement feeding operation is discontinued, whichever is earlier.95 Acts, ch 195, §24CS95, §455B.20198 Acts, ch 1209, §28; 99 Acts, ch 114, §57; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §37, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3112009 Acts, ch 38, §8, 16; 2010 Acts, ch 1029, §2459.311AStockpiling dry manure.A person may stockpile dry manure so long as the person stockpiles the dry manure in compliance with restrictions applicable to stockpiling as provided in this subchapter and subchapter II.2009 Acts, ch 38, §9, 16459.311BStockpiling dry manure — minimum separation distance requirements and prohibitions.1A person shall not stockpile dry manure within the following distances from any of the following:aA terrace tile inlet or surface tile inlet, two hundred feet. However, this paragraph does not apply to a person who stockpiles the dry manure in a manner that does not allow precipitation-induced runoff to drain from the stockpile to the terrace tile inlet or surface tile inlet. A terrace tile inlet or surface tile inlet does not include a tile inlet that is not directly connected to a tile line that discharges directly into a water of the state.b1A designated area, four hundred feet. However, an increased separation distance of eight hundred feet shall apply to all of the following:aA high-quality water resource.bAn agricultural drainage well.cA known sinkhole.2Subparagraph (1) does not apply to a person who stockpiles dry manure in a manner that does not allow precipitation-induced runoff to drain from the stockpile to the designated area.2A person shall not stockpile dry manure in a grassed waterway.3A person shall not stockpile dry manure on land having a slope of more than three percent. However, this subsection shall not apply to a person who stockpiles dry manure using methods, structures, or practices that contain the stockpile, including but not limited to silt fences, temporary earthen berms, or other effective measures, and that prevent or diminish precipitation-induced runoff from the stockpile.2009 Acts, ch 38, §10, 16459.311CStockpiling dry manure on terrain other than karst terrain.A person stockpiling dry manure on terrain, other than karst terrain, for more than fifteen consecutive days shall comply with any of the following:1Stockpile dry manure using any of the following:aA qualified stockpile structure.bA qualified stockpile cover. However, the person shall not stockpile dry manure using a qualified stockpile cover at a long-term stockpile location unless the person stockpiles the dry manure on compacted soil, compacted granular aggregates, asphalt, concrete, or other similar materials.2Deliver a stockpile inspection statement to the department as follows:aThe department must receive the statement by the fifteenth day of each month.bThe stockpile inspection statement shall provide the location of the stockpile and document the results of an inspection conducted by the person during the previous month. The inspection must evaluate whether precipitation-induced runoff is draining away from the stockpile and, if so, describe actions taken to prevent the runoff. If an inspection by the department documents that precipitation-induced runoff is draining away from a stockpile, the person shall immediately remove dry manure from the stockpile in compliance with this chapter or comply with all directives of the department to prevent the runoff.cThe stockpile inspection statement must be in writing and may be on a form prescribed by the department.2009 Acts, ch 38, §11, 16459.311DStockpiling dry manure on karst terrain.A person stockpiling dry manure on karst terrain shall comply with all of the following:1The person shall stockpile the dry manure at a location where there is a vertical separation distance of at least five feet between the bottom of the stockpile and the underlying limestone, dolomite, or other soluble rock.2A person who stockpiles dry manure for more than fifteen consecutive days shall use any of the following:aA qualified stockpile structure.bA qualified stockpile cover. However, the person shall not stockpile dry manure using a qualified stockpile cover at a long-term stockpile location unless the stockpile is located on reinforced concrete at least five inches thick.2009 Acts, ch 38, §12, 16459.311EStockpiling — required practices.1A person stockpiling dry manure shall comply with applicable requirements of the national pollutant discharge elimination system pursuant to the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ch. 26, as amended, and 40 C.F.R. pts. 122 and 412.2A person stockpiling dry manure shall remove the dry manure and apply it in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to section 459.311, within six months after the dry manure is first stockpiled.2009 Acts, ch 38, §13, 16459.312Manure management plan — requirements.1The following persons shall submit a manure management plan, including an original manure management plan and an updated manure management plan, as required in this section to the department:aThe owner of a confinement feeding operation, other than a small animal feeding operation, if any of the following apply:1The confinement feeding operation was constructed after May 31, 1985, regardless of whether the confinement feeding operation structure was required to be constructed pursuant to a construction permit.2The owner constructs a manure storage structure, regardless of whether the person is required to be issued a permit for the construction pursuant to section 459.303 or whether the person has submitted a prior manure management plan.bA person who applies manure from a confinement feeding operation, other than a small animal feeding operation, which is located in another state, if the manure is applied on land located in this state.2Not more than one confinement feeding operation shall be covered by a single manure management plan.3The owner of a confinement feeding operation who is required to submit a manure management plan under this section shall submit an updated manure management plan to the department on an annual basis. The department shall provide for a date that each updated manure management plan is required to be submitted to the department. The department may provide for staggering the dates on which updated manure management plans are due. To satisfy the requirements of an updated manure management plan, an owner of a confinement feeding operation may, in lieu of submitting a complete plan, file a document stating that the manure management plan has not changed, or state all of the changes made since the original manure management plan or a previous updated manure management plan was submitted and approved.4aThe department shall deliver a copy of the manure management plan or require the person submitting the manure management plan to deliver a copy of the manure management plan to all of the following:1The county board of supervisors in the county where the manure storage structure owned by the person is located.2The county board of supervisors in the county where the manure storage structure is proposed to be constructed. If the person is required to be issued a permit for the construction of the manure storage structure as provided in section 459.303, the manure management plan shall accompany the application for the construction permit as provided in section 459.303.3The county board of supervisors in the county where the manure is to be applied.bThe manure management plan shall be filed with the county board of supervisors. The county auditor or other county officer may accept the manure management plan on behalf of the board.5A person shall not remove manure from a manure storage structure which is part of a confinement feeding operation for which a manure management plan is required under this section, unless the department approves a manure management plan, including an original manure management plan and an updated manure management plan, as required in this section. The manure management plan shall be submitted by the owner of the confinement feeding operation as provided by the department in accordance with section 459.302. The owner of a confinement feeding operation required to submit a manure management plan for the construction of a manure storage structure may remove manure from another manure storage structure that is constructed, if the department has approved a manure management plan covering that manure storage structure. The department may adopt rules allowing a person to remove manure from a manure storage structure until the manure management plan is approved or disapproved by the department according to terms and conditions required by rules adopted by the department.6The department shall not approve an original manure management plan unless the plan is accompanied by a manure management plan filing fee required pursuant to section 459.400. The department shall not approve an updated manure management plan unless the updated manure management plan is accompanied by an annual compliance fee required pursuant to section 459.400.7aThe department shall not approve an application for a permit to construct a confinement feeding operation structure unless the owner of the confinement feeding operation applying for approval submits an original manure management plan together with the application for the construction permit as provided in section 459.303.bThe department shall not file a construction design statement as provided in section 459.306 unless the owner of the confinement feeding operation structure submits an original manure management plan together with the construction design statement. The construction design statement and manure management plan may be submitted as part of an application for a construction permit as provided in section 459.303.8A manure management plan must be authenticated by the person required to submit the manure management plan as required by the department in accordance with section 459.302.9The department shall approve or disapprove a manure management plan according to procedures established by the department:aFor an original manure management plan submitted due to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure, the department shall approve or disapprove the manure management plan as follows:1If the confinement feeding operation structure is constructed pursuant to a construction permit issued pursuant to section 459.303, the manure management plan shall be approved or disapproved as part of the construction permit application.2If the confinement feeding operation structure is not constructed pursuant to a construction permit issued pursuant to section 459.303, the manure management plan shall be approved or disapproved within sixty days from the date that the department receives the manure management plan.bFor an original manure management plan submitted for a reason other than the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure, the manure management plan shall be approved within sixty days from the date that the department receives the manure management plan.cFor an updated manure management plan, the manure management plan shall be approved within thirty days from the date that the department receives the updated manure management plan.10A manure management plan shall include all of the following:aRestrictions on the application of manure based on all of the following:1Calculations necessary to determine the land area required for the application of manure from a confinement feeding operation based on nitrogen use levels in order to obtain optimum crop yields according to a crop schedule specified in the manure management plan, and according to requirements adopted by the department.2A phosphorus index. The department shall establish a phosphorus index by rule in order to determine the manner and timing of the application to a land area of manure originating from a confinement feeding operation. The phosphorus index shall provide for the application of manure on a field basis. The phosphorus index shall be used to determine application rates, based on the number of pounds of phosphorus that may be applied per acre and application practices. The phosphorus index shall be based on the field office technical guide for Iowa as published by the United States department of agriculture, natural resources conservation service, which sets forth nutrient management standards.bManure nutrient levels as determined by either manure testing or accepted standard manure nutrient values.cManure application methods, timing of manure application, and the location of the manure application.dIf the location of the application is on land other than land owned by the person applying for the construction permit, the plan shall include a copy of each written agreement executed between the person and the landowner where the manure will be applied.eAn estimate of the annual animal production and manure volume or weight produced by the confinement feeding operation.fMethods, structures, or practices to prevent or diminish soil loss and potential surface water pollution.gMethods or practices to minimize potential odors caused by the application of manure by the use of spray irrigation equipment.hA description of land identified for the application of liquid manure due to an emergency if allowed pursuant to section 459.313A. The owner must identify the land in the original manure management plan or in the next updated manure management plan required to be submitted to the department following the application.11A confinement feeding operation classified as a habitual violator as provided in section 459.604 shall submit a manure management plan to the department on an annual basis, which must be approved by the department for the following year of operation. The manure management plan shall be a replacement original manure management plan rather than a manure management plan update. However, the habitual violator required to submit a replacement original manure management plan must submit an annual compliance fee in the same manner as if the habitual violator were submitting an updated manure management plan.12A person required to submit a manure management plan to the department shall maintain a current manure management plan and maintain records sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the manure management plan. Chapter 22 shall not apply to the records which shall be kept confidential by the department and its agents and employees. The contents of the records are not subject to disclosure except as follows:aUpon waiver by the person receiving the permit.bIn an action or administrative proceeding commenced under this chapter. Any hearing related to the action or proceeding shall be closed.cWhen required by subpoena or court order.13The department may inspect the confinement feeding operation at any time during normal working hours, and may inspect records required to be maintained as part of the manure management plan. The department shall regularly inspect a confinement feeding operation if the operation or a person holding a controlling interest in the operation is classified as a habitual violator pursuant to section 459.604. The department shall assess and the confinement feeding operation shall pay the actual costs of the inspection.14A person required to authenticate a manure management plan submitted to the department who is found in violation of the terms and conditions of the plan shall not be subject to an enforcement action other than the assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to section 459.603.95 Acts, ch 195, §25CS95, §455B.20398 Acts, ch 1209, §30 – 32, 53; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §38 – 41, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §256, 257, 259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3122003 Acts, ch 108, §86; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §137, 138; 2009 Acts, ch 155, §2; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143459.312AElection to be a small animal feeding operation.1A person otherwise required to submit an updated manure management plan as required in section 459.312 and pay an annual compliance fee as required in section 459.400 may make a small animal feeding operation election as provided in this section.2Upon the effective date of the election, the confinement feeding operation covered by the updated manure management plan shall be considered a small animal feeding operation only for purposes of submitting the updated manure management plan and paying the annual compliance fee, during the period of the election.3A person is eligible to make an election only if all of the following apply:aThe confinement feeding operation has a capacity of five hundred or fewer animal units which shall be calculated by determining all of the following:1The number of animal units housed at the confinement feeding operation at any one time during the period of election.2The animal unit capacity of each confinement feeding operation building that is used to store manure during the period of the election. However, this subparagraph (2) does not apply if a confinement feeding operation building stores manure pursuant to a temporary approval issued by the department. The department shall not issue a temporary approval unless the manure is stored on an emergency basis for a limited period. The department shall establish terms and conditions for a temporary approval. The department may issue one or more extensions to a temporary approval if necessary.bThe department is notified of the election in a manner required by the department. The department may require that a person submit a notice of election as part of an updated manure management plan form or as a separate document.4The department shall provide for the period of election, including its effective and expiration dates. However, the period of election shall be at least for the same period covered by the updated manure management plan. An election automatically terminates when more than five hundred animal units are housed at the confinement feeding operation at any one time.5This section does not affect any of the following:aA condition associated with a construction permit as provided in this subchapter, including but not limited to a master matrix as provided in section 459.305.bA requirement unrelated to filing an updated manure management plan or paying an annual compliance fee, including but not limited to the filing of a construction design statement as provided in section 459.306, the application of manure as provided in section 459.313A, or the certification of a person as a confinement site manure applicator as provided in section 459.315.2013 Acts, ch 106, §2459.313Manure application — rules.1The department shall adopt rules governing the application of manure originating from an anaerobic lagoon or aerobic structure which is part of a confinement feeding operation. The rules shall establish application rates and practices to minimize groundwater or surface water pollution resulting from application, including pollution caused by runoff or other manure flow resulting from precipitation events. The rules shall establish different application rates and practices based on the water holding capacity of the soil at the time of application.2A person shall not apply manure by spray irrigation equipment, except as provided by rules adopted by the department pursuant to chapter 17A. However, a person shall not use restricted spray irrigation equipment to apply manure originating from a confinement feeding operation, unless the manure has been diluted as provided by rules adopted by the department, including diluted by use of an anaerobic lagoon.98 Acts, ch 1209, §34, 53C99, §455B.203B2002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.313459.313AApplication of manure on land — snow covered ground and frozen ground.A person may apply manure originating from an animal feeding operation on snow covered ground or frozen ground, except to the extent otherwise provided by applicable requirements in this section, this chapter, or the national pollutant discharge elimination system pursuant to the federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ch. 26, as amended, and 40 C.F.R. pts. 122 and 412.1During the period beginning December 21 and ending April 1, the person may apply liquid manure originating from a manure storage structure, that is part of a confinement feeding operation, on snow covered ground only when there is an emergency. During the period beginning February 1 and ending April 1, the person may apply liquid manure originating from a manure storage structure, that is part of a confinement feeding operation, on frozen ground only when there is an emergency. An emergency occurs only when there is an immediate need to comply with section 459.311, subsection 1, due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the storage of the liquid manure. The unforeseen circumstances must be beyond the control of the owner of the confinement feeding operation, including but not limited to natural disaster, unusual weather conditions, or equipment or structural failure. A person who is authorized to apply liquid manure on snow covered ground or frozen ground when there is an emergency shall comply with all of the following:aThe person must contact the department by telephone prior to the application.bThe person must apply the liquid manure on land identified for such application in a manure management plan submitted by the owner of the confinement feeding operation to the department as provided in section 459.312. The owner of the confinement feeding operation must identify the land in the manure management plan prior to the application. The owner must identify the land in the original manure management plan or in the next updated manure management plan required to be submitted to the department following the application.cThe liquid manure must be applied on a field with a phosphorus index rating of two or less.dAny surface water drain tile intake that is on land in the owner’s manure management plan and located down gradient of the application must be temporarily blocked beginning not later than the time that the liquid manure is first applied and ending not earlier than two weeks after the completion of the application.2The authorization to apply liquid manure in subsection 1 does not apply to any of the following:aAn immediate need to comply with section 459.311, subsection 1, caused by the improper design or management of the manure storage structure, including but not limited to a failure to properly account for the volume of the manure to be stored.bLiquid manure originating from a manure storage structure constructed or expanded on or after July 1, 2009, if the manure storage structure has a capacity to store manure for less than one hundred eighty days.3Subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to any of the following:aThe application of liquid manure originating from a small animal feeding operation.bThe application of liquid manure and injection into the soil or incorporation within the soil on the same date.2009 Acts, ch 155, §3459.313BApplication of liquid manure on snow covered ground or frozen ground — annual report.Repealed by its own terms; 2009 Acts, ch 155, §4.459.314Application of manure near designated areas.1The department shall adopt rules relating to the application of manure in close proximity to a designated area.2Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person shall not apply manure on land located within two hundred feet from a designated area, unless one of the following applies:aThe manure is land-applied by injection or incorporation on the same date as the manure was land-applied.bAn area of permanent vegetation cover, including filter strips and riparian forest buffers, exists for fifty feet surrounding the designated area other than an unplugged agricultural drainage well or surface intake to an unplugged agricultural drainage well, and the area of permanent vegetation cover is not subject to manure application.cThe department adopts rules requiring an increased separation distance for the application of manure located in proximity to a high-quality water resource in order to protect the integrity of the high-quality water resource. However, the department shall not provide for an increased separation distance requirement that is more than four times the separation distance requirement otherwise applicable under this section.95 Acts, ch 195, §3CS95, §159.2798 Acts, ch 1209, §50C99, §455B.204A2002 Acts, ch 1137, §46, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3142009 Acts, ch 38, §14, 16459.314ALicensure — commercial manure service.A person shall not engage in the business of a commercial manure service unless the department issues the person a commercial manure service license under this section.1The department shall not issue a license to a commercial manure service unless each manager of the commercial manure service is certified as a commercial manure service representative pursuant to section 459.315.2The department shall not issue a license to a commercial manure service if the license for the commercial manure service has been revoked within the previous three years or a person who holds a controlling interest in the commercial manure service held a controlling interest in another commercial service which has been revoked within the previous three years.3The department may impose conditions or limitations upon the license. However, the issuance of a license shall not be conditioned upon providing a bond or maintaining a certain financial condition. A commercial manure service shall be issued a single license regardless of the number of sites where the commercial manure service operates offices.4A license application must be submitted to the department on a form furnished by the department according to procedures required by the department. The license shall expire on March 1 of each year.5A commercial manure service shall be charged a license fee as provided in section 459.400.2003 Acts, ch 163, §4, 23459.314BDisciplinary action — commercial manure service.The department may issue an order to suspend or revoke the license of a commercial manure service as provided in chapter 17A, including an order to immediately suspend or revoke the license pursuant to section 17A.18A. The department may suspend or revoke the license of a commercial manure service for an applicable violation of this chapter. In addition, the department may suspend or revoke a commercial manure service’s license for any of the following:1Committing a fraudulent act, including but not limited to engaging in a deceptive act or practice, deliberately misrepresenting or omitting a material fact in the license application, or submitting a statement verifying that an employee may be substituted for certification without paying a fee as provided in section 459.400.2Knowingly assisting a person in evading the provisions of this chapter.3Knowingly employing or executing a contract with a person who acts as a commercial manure service representative and who is not certified pursuant to section 459.315.2003 Acts, ch 163, §5, 23; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §81459.315Certification and education requirements.1aA person shall not act as a commercial manure service representative unless the person is certified pursuant to an educational program as provided in this section.bA person shall not act as a confinement site manure applicator unless the person is certified pursuant to an educational program as provided in this section.2aA person required to be certified as a commercial manure service representative must be certified by the department each year. The person shall be certified after completing an educational program which shall consist of an examination required to be passed by the person or three hours of continuing instructional courses which the person must attend each year in lieu of passing the examination.bA person required to be certified as a confinement site manure applicator must be certified by the department every three years. However, if the person is exempt from paying the certification fee because a family member has paid a certification fee as provided in section 459.400, the person’s certification shall expire on the same date that the paid family member’s certification expires. A person shall be certified after completing an educational program which shall consist of an examination required to be passed by the person or two hours of continuing instructional courses which the person must attend each year in lieu of passing the examination.3The department shall adopt, by rule, requirements for the certification, including educational program requirements. The department may establish different educational programs designed for commercial manure service representatives and confinement site manure applicators. The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section, including establishing certification standards and continuing instructional courses as provided in this subsection.aThe department shall adopt rules establishing subjects for continuing instructional courses that emphasize practical and cost-effective methods to prevent manure spills and limit the impact of manure spills, especially from manure storage structures. The subjects may also include methods for transporting, handling, or applying manure; identifying the potential effects of manure upon surface water and groundwater; and procedures to remediate the potential effects of manure on surface water or groundwater.bThe department shall adopt by rule criteria for allowing a person required to be certified to complete either a written or oral examination.cThe department shall administer the continuing instructional courses, by either teaching the courses or selecting persons to teach the courses, according to criteria as provided by rules adopted by the department. The department shall, to the extent possible, select persons to teach the continuing instructional courses. The department is not required to compensate persons to teach the continuing instructional courses. In selecting persons, the department shall consult with organizations interested in transporting, handling, storing, or applying manure, including the Iowa commercial nutrient applicators association and associations representing agricultural producers. The Iowa cooperative extension service in agriculture and home economics of Iowa state university of science and technology shall cooperate with the department in administering the continuing instructional courses. The Iowa cooperative extension service may teach continuing instructional courses, train persons selected to teach courses, or distribute informational materials to persons teaching the courses.dThe department shall provide that the continuing instructional courses be made available via the department’s internet site, the internet site of a person selected to teach the continuing instructional courses, or the Iowa cooperative extension service in agriculture and home economics of Iowa state university of science and technology.eThe department, in administering the certification program under this section, and the department of agriculture and land stewardship, in administering the certification program for pesticide applicators, may cooperate together.4This section shall not require a person to be certified as a confinement site manure applicator if the person applies manure which originates from a manure storage structure which is part of a small animal feeding operation.5aThis section shall not require a person to be certified as a commercial manure service representative if any of the following applies:1The person is any of the following:aActively engaged in farming who trades work with another such person.bEmployed by a person actively engaged in farming not solely as a manure applicator who applies manure as an incidental part of the person’s general duties.cEngaged in applying manure as an incidental part of a custom farming operation.dEngaged in applying manure as an incidental part of a person’s duties as provided by rules adopted by the department providing for an exemption.2The person transports, handles, stores, or applies manure for a period of thirty days from the date of initial employment as a commercial manure service representative and all of the following apply:aThe person is actively seeking certification under this section.bThe person is transporting, handling, storing, or applying manure under the instructions and control of a certified commercial manure service representative. The commercial manure service representative must be physically present at the site where the manure is located. The commercial manure service representative must also be in sight or immediate communication distance of the supervised person.bThis section shall not require a person to be certified as a confinement site manure applicator if all of the following apply:1The person is a part-time employee or family member of a confinement site manure applicator.2The person is acting under the instructions and control of a certified confinement site manure applicator who is both of the following:aPhysically present at the site where the manure is located.bIn sight or hearing distance of the supervised person.6The department may charge a fee for certifying a person under this section as provided in section 459.400.98 Acts, ch 1209, §33, 47, 53C99, §455B.203A99 Acts, ch 114, §30; 2000 Acts, ch 1107, §1 – 4; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §42, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3152003 Acts, ch 163, §6 – 11, 23; 2003 Acts, 1st Ex, ch 2, §27, 209; 2013 Acts, ch 60, §1, 2459.315ADisciplinary action — commercial manure service representatives.The department may issue an order to suspend or revoke the certification of a commercial manure service representative for a violation of this chapter. The department shall issue an order for the suspension or revocation of a certificate as provided in chapter 17A. The department may issue an order to immediately suspend or revoke the certification notwithstanding section 17A.18.2003 Acts, ch 163, §12, 23459.316Reserved.459.317Habitual violators — pending actions — restrictions on construction.1As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:a“Habitual violator” means a person classified as a habitual violator pursuant to section 459.604.b“Operation of law” means a transfer by inheritance, devise or bequest, court order, dissolution decree, order in bankruptcy, insolvency, replevin, foreclosure, execution sale, the execution of a judgment, the foreclosure of a real estate mortgage, the forfeiture of a real estate contract, or a transfer resulting from a decree for specific performance.c“Suspect site” means a confinement feeding operation or land where a confinement feeding operation could be constructed, if the site is subject to a suspect transaction.d“Suspect transaction” means a transaction in which a habitual violator does any of the following:1Transfers a controlling interest in a suspect site to any of the following:aAn employee of the habitual violator or business in which the person holds a controlling interest.bA person who holds an interest in a business, including a confinement feeding operation, in which the habitual violator holds a controlling interest.cA person related to the habitual violator as spouse, parent, grandparent, lineal ascendant of a grandparent or spouse and any other lineal descendant of the grandparent or spouse, or a person acting in a fiduciary capacity for a related person. This paragraph does not apply to a transaction completed by an operation of law.2Provides financing for the construction or operation of a confinement feeding operation to any person, by providing a contribution or loan to the person, or providing cash or other tangible collateral for a contribution or loan made by a third person.e“Transaction” includes a transfer in any manner or by any means, including any of the following:1Delivery and acceptance between two parties, including by contract or agreement with or without consideration, including by sale, exchange, barter, or gift.2An operation of law.2aA person shall not construct or expand a confinement feeding operation structure if the person is any of the following:1A party to a pending action for a violation of this chapter concerning a confinement feeding operation in which the person has a controlling interest and the action is commenced in district court by the attorney general.2A habitual violator.bA person shall not construct or expand a confinement feeding operation structure for five years after the date of the last violation, committed by the person or confinement feeding operation in which the person holds a controlling interest, during which the person or operation was classified as a habitual violator.cThis subsection shall not prohibit a person from completing the construction or expansion of a confinement feeding operation structure, if any of the following apply:1The person has an unexpired permit for the construction or expansion of the confinement feeding operation structure.2The person is not required to obtain a permit for the construction or expansion of the confinement feeding operation structure.dFor purposes of this subsection, “construct” or “expand” includes financing and contracting to build a confinement feeding operation structure regardless of whether the person subsequently leases, owns, or operates the confinement feeding operation structure.3A person who receives a controlling interest in a suspect site pursuant to a suspect transaction must submit a notice of the transaction to the department within thirty days. If, after notice and opportunity to be heard, pursuant to the contested case provisions of chapter 17A, the department finds that one purpose of the transaction was to avoid the conditions and enhanced penalties imposed upon a habitual violator, the person shall be subject to the same conditions and enhanced penalties as applied to the habitual violator at the time of the transaction.4The department shall conduct an annual review of each confinement feeding operation which is a habitual violator and each confinement feeding operation in which a habitual violator holds a controlling interest.97 Acts, ch 150, §1CS97, §455B.20298 Acts, ch 1209, §29, 53; 99 Acts, ch 114, §29; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.317459.318Exception from regulation research colleges.1As used in this section, “research college” means an accredited public or private college or university, including but not limited to a university under the control of the state board of regents as provided in chapter 262, or a community college under the jurisdiction of a board of directors for a merged area as provided in chapter 260C, if the college or university performs research or experimental activities regarding animal agriculture or agronomy.2The requirements of this subchapter which regulate animal feeding operations, including rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 459.103, shall not apply to research activities and experiments performed under the authority and regulations of a research college, if the research activities and experiments relate to animal feeding operations, including but not limited to the confinement of animals and the storage and disposal of manure originating from animal feeding operations.3This section shall not apply to requirements provided in any of the following:aSection 459.311, including rules adopted by the department under that section.bSection 459.310, including rules adopted by the department under that section.98 Acts, ch 1209, §37C99, §455B.2062002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.318459.319Exception from regulation — stockpiling.1This subchapter shall not apply to a person who stockpiles dry manure if the stockpile’s dry manure originates from a confinement feeding operation that was constructed prior to January 1, 2006, unless the confinement feeding operation is expanded after that date.2Subsection 1 does not apply to any of the following:aA person who stockpiles dry manure in violation of section 459.311.bA stockpile where precipitation-induced runoff has drained away.2009 Acts, ch 38, §15, 16459.320Exception from regulation election for confinement feeding operations confining fish.A person who exclusively confines fish as part of a confinement feeding operation may elect to comply with the permitting requirements of section 455B.183 in lieu of the permitting requirements of this subchapter.2012 Acts, ch 1085, §3Reserved.IVANIMAL AGRICULTURE COMPLIANCEFUND — FEES459.400Compliance fees.1The department shall establish, assess, and collect all of the following compliance fees:aA construction permit application fee that is required to accompany an application submitted to the department for approval to construct a confinement feeding operation structure as provided in section 459.303. The amount of the construction permit application fee shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars.bA manure management plan filing fee that is required to accompany an original manure management plan submitted to the department for approval as provided in section 459.312. However, the manure management plan required to be filed as part of an application for a construction permit shall be paid together with the construction permit application fee. The amount of the manure management plan filing fee shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars.cAn annual compliance fee that is required to accompany an updated manure management plan submitted to the department for approval as provided in section 459.312. The amount of the annual compliance fee shall not exceed a rate of fifteen cents per animal unit based on the animal unit capacity of the confinement feeding operation covered by the manure management plan. If the person submitting the manure management plan is a contract producer, as provided in chapter 202, the active contractor shall be assessed the annual compliance fee.dEducational program fees paid by persons required by the department to be certified as commercial manure service representatives or confinement site manure applicators pursuant to section 459.315. The amount of the educational program fees together with commercial manure service licensing fees shall be adjusted annually by the department based on the costs of administering section 459.315 and paying the expenses of the department relating to certification.1The fee for certification of a commercial manure service representative shall not be more than seventy-five dollars. A commercial manure service licensed pursuant to section 459.314A may pay for the annual certification of its employees. If a commercial manure service makes payment for an employee to be certified as a commercial manure service representative and that employee leaves employment, the commercial manure service may substitute a new employee to be certified for the former employee. The department shall not charge for the certification of the substituted employee. The department may require that the commercial manure service provide the department with documentation that the substitution is valid. The department shall not charge the fee to a person who is a manager of a commercial manure service licensed pursuant to section 459.314A. The department may require that the commercial manure service provide documentation that a person is a manager.2A person who is certified as a confinement site manure applicator as provided in section 459.315 is exempt from paying the certification fee if all of the following apply:aThe person is certified within one year from the date that a family member has been certified as a confinement site manure applicator.bThe family member has paid the fee for that family member’s own certification.eFees paid by persons required by the department to be licensed as a commercial manure service as provided in section 459.314A. The fee for a commercial manure service license shall not be more than two hundred dollars. The amount of the licensing fees together with educational program fees shall be adjusted annually by the department based on the costs of administering section 459.315 and paying the expenses of the department relating to certification.2Compliance fees collected by the department shall be deposited into the animal agriculture compliance fund created in section 459.401.aExcept as provided in paragraph “b”, moneys collected from all fees shall be deposited into the compliance fund’s general account.bMoneys collected from the annual compliance fee shall be deposited into the compliance fund’s assessment account. Moneys collected from commercial manure service license fees and educational program fees shall be deposited into the compliance fund’s educational program account.3At the end of each fiscal year the department shall determine the balance of unencumbered and unobligated moneys in the assessment account and the educational program account of the animal agriculture compliance fund created pursuant to section 459.401.aIf on June 30, the balance of unencumbered and unobligated moneys in the assessment account is one million dollars or more, the department shall adjust the rate of the annual compliance fee for the following fiscal year. The adjusted rate for the annual compliance fee shall be based on the department’s estimate of the amount required to ensure that at the end of the following fiscal year the balance of unencumbered and unobligated moneys in the assessment account is not one million dollars or more.bIf on June 30, the balance of unencumbered and unobligated moneys in the educational program account is twenty-five thousand dollars or more, the department shall adjust the rate of the commercial manure service license fee and the educational program fee for the following fiscal year. The adjusted rate for the fees shall be based on the department’s estimate of the amount required to ensure that at the end of the following fiscal year the balance of unencumbered and unobligated moneys in the assessment account is not twenty-five thousand dollars or more.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §43, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262C2003, §459.3162003 Acts, ch 163, §13 – 16, 22, 23CS2003, §459.400459.401Animal agriculture compliance fund.1An animal agriculture compliance fund is created in the state treasury under the control of the department. The compliance fund is separate from the general fund of the state.2The compliance fund is composed of three accounts: the general account, the assessment account, and the educational program account.aThe general account is composed of moneys appropriated by the general assembly and moneys available to and obtained or accepted by the department from the United States government or private sources for placement in the compliance fund. Unless otherwise specifically provided in statute, moneys required to be deposited in the compliance fund shall be deposited into the general account. The general account shall include moneys deposited into the account from all of the following:1The construction permit application fee required pursuant to section 459.303.2The manure management plan filing fee required pursuant to section 459.312.3Educational program fees required to be paid by commercial manure service representatives or confinement site manure applicators pursuant to section 459.400.4A commercial manure service license fee as provided in section 459.400.bThe assessment account is composed of moneys collected from the annual compliance fee required pursuant to section 459.400.cThe educational program account is composed of moneys collected from the commercial manure service license fee and the educational program fee required pursuant to section 459.400.3Moneys in the compliance fund are appropriated to the department exclusively to pay the expenses of the department in administering and enforcing the provisions of subchapters II and III as necessary to ensure that animal feeding operations comply with all applicable requirements of those provisions, including rules adopted or orders issued by the department pursuant to those provisions. The moneys shall not be transferred, used, obligated, appropriated, or otherwise encumbered except as provided in this subsection. The department shall not transfer moneys from the compliance fund’s assessment account to another fund or account, including but not limited to the fund’s general account.4Moneys in the fund, which may be subject to warrants written by the director of the department of administrative services, shall be drawn upon the written requisition of the director of the department of natural resources or an authorized representative of the director.5Notwithstanding section 8.33, any unexpended balance in an account of the compliance fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be retained in that account. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest, earnings on investments, or time deposits of the moneys in an account of the compliance fund shall be credited to that account.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §6, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §247, 259, 260, 2622003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2003 Acts, ch 163, §17 – 20, 23; 2003 Acts, ch 179, §73; 2004 Acts, ch 1086, §78; 2005 Acts, ch 136, §36; 2009 Acts, ch 155, §33, 34; 2011 Acts, ch 128, §35, 45; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §109459.402Animal agriculture compliance fees — delinquencies.If a fee imposed under this chapter for deposit into the animal agriculture compliance fund is delinquent, the department may charge interest on any amount of the fee that is delinquent. The rate of interest shall not be more than the current rate published in the Iowa administrative bulletin by the department of revenue pursuant to section 421.7. The interest amount shall be computed from the date that the fee is delinquent, unless the department designates a later date. The interest amount shall accrue for each month in which a delinquency is calculated as provided in section 421.7, and counting each fraction of a month as an entire month. The interest amount shall become part of the amount of the fee due.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §5, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286459.403County assessment of fees prohibited.A county shall not assess or collect a fee under this chapter for the regulation of animal agriculture, including but not limited to any fee related to the filing, consideration, or evaluation of an application for a construction permit pursuant to section 459.303 or the filing of a manure management plan pursuant to section 459.312.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §4, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262Reserved.VLIVESTOCK REMEDIATION FUND — INDEMNITY FEES459.501Livestock remediation fund.1A livestock remediation fund is created as a separate fund in the state treasury under the control of the department. The general fund of the state is not liable for claims presented against the fund.2The fund consists of moneys from indemnity fees remitted by permittees to the department as provided in section 459.502; moneys from indemnity fees remitted by persons required to submit manure management plans to the department pursuant to section 459.503; sums collected on behalf of the fund by the department through legal action or settlement; moneys required to be repaid to the department by a county pursuant to this subchapter; interest, property, and securities acquired through the use of moneys in the fund; or moneys contributed to the fund from other sources.3aThe moneys collected under this section shall be deposited in the fund and shall be appropriated to the department for the following exclusive purposes:1To provide moneys for cleanup of abandoned facilities as provided in section 459.505, and to pay the department for costs related to administering the provisions of this subchapter. For each fiscal year, the department shall not use more than one percent of the total amount which is available in the fund or ten thousand dollars, whichever is less, to pay for the costs of administration.2To allocate moneys to the department of agriculture and land stewardship for the payment of expenses incurred by the department of agriculture and land stewardship associated with providing for the sustenance and disposition of livestock in immediate need of sustenance pursuant to chapter 717. The department of natural resources shall allocate any amount of unencumbered and unobligated moneys demanded in writing by the department of agriculture and land stewardship as provided in this subparagraph. The department of natural resources shall complete the allocation upon receiving the demand.3aTo allocate moneys to the department of agriculture and land stewardship for the payment of expenses incurred by the department of agriculture and land stewardship associated with all of the following:iProviding for seizure of animals pursuant to sections 163.3D and 163.3E.iiCourt costs, reasonable attorney fees, and expenses related to the investigation and prosecution of the case arising from the seizure of animals. bThe department of natural resources shall allocate any amount of unencumbered and unobligated moneys demanded in writing by the department of agriculture and land stewardship as provided in this subparagraph. The department of natural resources shall complete the allocation upon receiving the demand.cThe department of agriculture and land stewardship shall repay the fund any amount received from an interested person pursuant to an order by a court in a dispositional proceeding conducted pursuant to section 163.3E.bMoneys in the fund shall not be subject to appropriation or expenditure for any other purpose than provided in this section.4The treasurer of state shall act as custodian of the fund and disburse amounts contained in the fund as directed by the department. The treasurer of state is authorized to invest the moneys deposited in the fund. The income from such investment shall be credited to and deposited in the fund. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund are not subject to reversion to the general fund of the state. The fund shall be administered by the department which shall make expenditures from the fund consistent with the purposes set out in this subchapter. The moneys in the fund shall be disbursed upon warrants drawn by the director of the department of administrative services pursuant to the order of the department. The fiscal year of the fund begins July 1. The finances of the fund shall be calculated on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The auditor of state shall regularly perform audits of the fund.5The following shall apply to moneys in the fund:a1The executive council may authorize payment of moneys as an expense paid from the appropriations addressed in section 7D.29 and in the manner provided in section 7D.10A in an amount necessary to support the fund, including the following:aThe payment of claims as provided in section 459.505.bThe allocation of moneys to the department of agriculture and land stewardship for the payment of expenses incurred by the department of agriculture and land stewardship associated with providing for the sustenance and disposition of livestock pursuant to chapter 717.2Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), the executive council’s authorization for payment shall be provided only if the amount of moneys in the fund, which are not obligated or encumbered, and not counting the department’s estimate of the cost to the fund for pending or unsettled claims, the amount to be allocated to the department of agriculture and land stewardship, and any amount required to be credited to the general fund of the state under this subsection, is less than one million dollars.bThe department of natural resources shall credit an amount to the fund from which the expense authorized by the executive council as provided in paragraph “a” was appropriated which is equal to an amount authorized for payment to support the livestock remediation fund by the executive council under paragraph “a”. However, the department shall only be required to credit the moneys to such fund if the moneys in the livestock remediation fund which are not obligated or encumbered, and not counting the department’s estimate of the cost to the livestock remediation fund for pending or unsettled claims, the amount to be allocated to the department of agriculture and land stewardship, and any amount required to be transferred to the fund from which appropriated as described in this paragraph, are in excess of two million five hundred thousand dollars. The department is not required to credit the total amount to the fund from which appropriated as described in this paragraph during any one fiscal year.95 Acts, ch 195, §5CS95, §204.298 Acts, ch 1209, §3, 50C99, §455J.22002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.5012003 Acts, ch 44, §76; 2003 Acts, ch 52, §2, 3, 6; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2011 Acts, ch 81, §1; 2011 Acts, ch 131, §35, 158; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §81; 2020 Acts, ch 1036, §12, 16; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §292459.502Indemnity fees required — construction permits.1An indemnity fee shall be assessed upon permittees which shall be paid to and collected by the department, prior to issuing a permit for the construction of a confinement feeding operation as provided in section 459.303. The amount of the fees shall be based on the following:aIf the confinement feeding operation has an animal unit capacity of less than one thousand animal units, the following shall apply:1For all animals other than poultry, the amount of the fee shall be ten cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.2For poultry, the amount of the fee shall be four cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.bIf the confinement feeding operation has an animal unit capacity of one thousand or more animal units but less than three thousand animal units, the following shall apply:1For all animals other than poultry, the amount of the fee shall be fifteen cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.2For poultry, the amount of the fee shall be six cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.cIf the confinement feeding operation has an animal unit capacity of three thousand or more animal units, the following shall apply:1For all animals other than poultry, the amount of the fee shall be twenty cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.2For poultry, the amount of the fee shall be eight cents per animal unit of capacity for confinement feeding operations.2The department shall deposit moneys collected from the fees into the livestock remediation fund according to procedures adopted by the department.95 Acts, ch 195, §6CS95, §204.398 Acts, ch 1209, §4, 50C99, §455J.32002 Acts, ch 1137, §54 – 56, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.5022011 Acts, ch 25, §143; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §82459.503Indemnity fee required — manure management plan.An indemnity fee shall be assessed upon persons required to submit an original manure management plan as provided in section 459.312, but not required to obtain a construction permit pursuant to section 459.303. A person required to submit a replacement original manure management plan shall not be assessed an indemnity fee. The amount of the fee shall be ten cents per animal unit of capacity for the confinement feeding operation covered by the manure management plan.98 Acts, ch 1209, §5, 50C99, §455J.42002 Acts, ch 1137, §57, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.503459.503AIndemnity fee — waiver and reinstatement.The indemnity fee required under sections 459.502 and 459.503 shall be waived and the fee shall not be assessable or owing if, at the end of any three-month period, unobligated and unencumbered moneys in the livestock remediation fund, not counting the department’s estimate of the cost to the fund for pending or unsettled claims, exceed three million dollars. The department shall reinstate the indemnity fee under those sections if unobligated and unencumbered moneys in the fund, not counting the department’s estimate of the cost to the fund for pending or unsettled claims, are less than two million dollars.2003 Acts, ch 52, §4, 6; 2011 Acts, ch 81, §11459.504Use of fund for emergency cleanup.If the department provides cleanup of a condition caused by a confinement feeding operation as provided in section 459.506, the department may use moneys in the fund for purposes of supporting the cleanup. The department shall reimburse the fund from moneys recovered by the department as reimbursement for the cleanup as provided in section 459.506.98 Acts, ch 1209, §7, 50C99, §455J.62002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.504459.505Use of moneys by counties for cleanup.1A county that has acquired real estate containing a manure storage structure following nonpayment of taxes pursuant to section 446.19 may make a claim against the fund to pay cleanup costs incurred by the county as provided in section 459.506. Each claim shall include a bid by a qualified person, other than a governmental entity, to remove and dispose of the manure for a fixed amount specified in the bid.2If a county provides cleanup under section 459.506 after acquiring real estate following nonpayment of taxes, the department shall determine if a claim is eligible to be satisfied under this subsection, and do one of the following:aPay the amount of the claim required in this section, based on the fixed amount specified in the bid submitted by the county upon completion of the work.bObtain a lower fixed amount bid for the work from another qualified person, other than a governmental entity, and pay the amount of the claim required in this section, based on the fixed amount in this bid upon completion of the work. The department is not required to comply with section 8A.311 in implementing this section.3If a county provides cleanup of a condition causing a clear, present, and impending danger to the public health or environment, as provided in section 459.506, the county may make a claim against the fund to pay cleanup costs incurred by the county, according to procedures and requirements established by rules adopted by the department. The department shall determine if a claim is eligible to be satisfied under this subsection, and pay the amount of the claim required in this section.4Upon a determination that the claim is eligible for payment, the department shall provide for payment of one hundred percent of the claim, as provided in this section. If at any time the department determines that there are insufficient moneys to make payment of all claims, the department shall pay claims according to the date that the claims are received by the department. To the extent that a claim cannot be fully satisfied, the department shall order that the unpaid portion of the payment be deferred until the claim can be satisfied. However, the department shall not satisfy claims from moneys dedicated for the administration of the fund.5In the event of payment of a claim under this section, the fund is subrogated to the extent of the amount of the payment to all rights, powers, privileges, and remedies of the county regarding the payment amount. The county shall render all necessary assistance to the department in securing the rights granted in this section. A case or proceeding initiated by a county which involves a claim submitted to the department shall not be compromised or settled without the consent of the department. A county shall not be eligible to submit a claim to the department if the county has compromised or settled a case or proceeding, without the consent of the department.6If upon disposition of the real estate the county realizes an amount which exceeds the total amount of the delinquent real estate taxes, the county shall forward to the fund any excess amount which is not more than the amount expended by the fund to pay the claim by the county.95 Acts, ch 195, §7CS95, §204.498 Acts, ch 1209, §6, 50C99, §455J.52002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.5052003 Acts, ch 145, §264459.506Cleanup.1aA county that has acquired real estate on which there is located a confinement feeding operation following the nonpayment of taxes pursuant to section 446.19, may provide for cleanup, including removing and disposing of manure at any time, remediating contamination which originates from the confinement feeding operation, or demolishing and disposing of structures relating to the confinement feeding operation. The county may seek reimbursement including by bringing an action for the costs of the cleanup from the person abandoning the real estate.bIf the confinement feeding operation has caused a clear, present, and impending danger to the public health or the environment, the department may clean up the confinement feeding operation and remediate contamination which originates from the confinement feeding operation, pursuant to sections 455B.381 through 455B.399. If the department fails to commence cleanup within twenty-four hours after being notified of a condition requiring cleanup, the county may provide for the cleanup as provided in this paragraph. The department or county may seek reimbursement including by bringing an action for the costs of the cleanup from a person liable for causing the condition.2A person cleaning up a confinement feeding operation located on real estate acquired by a county may demolish or dispose of any building or equipment of the confinement feeding operation located on the land according to rules adopted by the department pursuant to chapter 17A, which apply to the disposal of farm buildings or equipment by an individual or business organization.95 Acts, ch 195, §8CS95, §204.598 Acts, ch 1209, §8, 50C99, §455J.72002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.506459.507No state obligation.This subchapter does not imply any guarantee or obligation on the part of this state, or any of its agencies, employees, or officials, either elective or appointive, with respect to any agreement or undertaking to which this subchapter relates.95 Acts, ch 195, §9CS95, §204.698 Acts, ch 1209, §50C99, §455J.82002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.507459.508Departmental rules.The department shall adopt administrative rules pursuant to chapter 17A necessary to administer this subchapter.95 Acts, ch 195, §10CS95, §204.798 Acts, ch 1209, §50C99, §455J.92002 Acts, ch 1137, §68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.508Reserved.VIENFORCEMENT459.601Animal feeding operations — investigations and enforcement actions.1A person may file a complaint alleging that an animal feeding operation is in violation of this chapter, including rules adopted by the department, or environmental standards or regulations subject to federal law and enforced by the department.aThe complaint may be filed with the department according to procedures required by the department or with the county board of supervisors in the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred, according to procedures required by the board. The county auditor may accept the complaint on behalf of the board.bIf the county board of supervisors receives a complaint, it shall conduct a review to determine if the allegation contained in the complaint constitutes a violation, without investigating whether the facts supporting the allegation are true or untrue.1If the county board of supervisors determines that the allegation does not constitute a violation, it shall notify the complainant, the animal feeding operation which is the subject of the complaint, and the department, according to rules adopted by the department.2If the county board of supervisors determines that the allegation constitutes a violation, it shall forward the complaint to the department which shall investigate the complaint as provided in this section.cIf the department receives a complaint from a complainant or a county forwarding a complaint, the department shall conduct an investigation of the complaint if the department determines that the complaint is legally sufficient and an investigation is justified. The department shall receive a complaint filed by a complainant, regardless of whether the complainant has filed a complaint with a county board of supervisors.1The department in its discretion shall determine the urgency of the investigation, and the time and resources required to complete the investigation, based upon the circumstances of the case, including the severity of a threat to the quality of surface or subsurface water.2The department shall notify the county board of supervisors in the county where the violation is alleged to occur prior to investigating the premises of the alleged violation. However, the department is not required to provide notice if the department determines that a clear, present, and impending danger to the public health or environment requires immediate action.3The county board of supervisors may designate a county employee to accompany a departmental official during the investigation of the premises of a confinement feeding operation. The county designee shall have the same right of access to the real estate of the premises as the departmental official conducting the inspection during the period that the county designee accompanies the departmental official.4Upon the completion of an investigation, the department shall notify the complainant of the results of the investigation, including any anticipated, pending, or completed enforcement action arising from the investigation. The department shall deliver a copy of the notice to the animal feeding operation that is the subject of the complaint and the board of supervisors of the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred.dA county board of supervisors or the department is not required to divulge information regarding the identity of the complainant.2aThe department and the attorney general shall enforce the provisions of this chapter in the same manner as provided in chapter 455B, subchapter I.bThe department and the attorney general may enforce the provisions of subchapter III in the same manner as provided in section 455B.175.3When entering the premises of an animal feeding operation, a person who is a departmental official, an agent of the department, or a person accompanying the departmental official or agent shall comply with section 455B.103. The person shall also comply with standard biosecurity requirements customarily required by the animal feeding operation which are necessary in order to control the spread of disease among an animal population.95 Acts, ch 195, §13CS95, §455B.11098 Acts, ch 1209, §11, 53; 99 Acts, ch 96, §39; 2002 Acts, ch 1137, §3, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262C2003, §459.6012007 Acts, ch 82, §3; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §150459.602Air quality violations civil penalty.A person who violates subchapter II shall be subject to a civil penalty which shall be established, assessed, and collected in the same manner as provided in section 455B.109. Any collected civil penalty and interest on a civil penalty shall be credited to the Iowa nutrient research fund created in section 466B.46.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §24, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262; 2011 Acts, ch 128, §36, 45; 2016 Acts, ch 1134, §27, 34459.603Water quality violations civil penalty.A person who violates subchapter III shall be subject to a civil penalty which shall be established, assessed, and collected in the same manner as provided in section 455B.109 or 455B.191. Any collected civil penalty and interest on a civil penalty shall be credited to the Iowa nutrient research fund created in section 466B.46.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §51, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §259, 260, 262; 2007 Acts, ch 82, §4; 2011 Acts, ch 128, §37, 45; 2016 Acts, ch 1134, §28, 34459.604Habitual violators — classification — penalties.1aThe department may impose a civil penalty upon a habitual violator which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for each day the violation continues. The increased penalty may be assessed for each violation committed subsequent to the violation which results in classifying the person as a habitual violator. A person shall be classified as a habitual violator if the person has committed three or more violations as described in this subsection. To be considered a violation that is applicable to a habitual violator determination, a violation must have been committed on or after January 1, 1995. In addition, each violation must have been referred to the attorney general for legal action under this chapter, and each violation must be subject to the assessment of a civil penalty or a court conviction, in the five years prior to the date of the latest violation provided in this subsection, counting any violation committed by a confinement feeding operation in which the person holds a controlling interest. A person shall be removed from the classification of habitual violator on the date on which the person and all confinement feeding operations in which the person holds a controlling interest have committed less than three violations described in this subsection for the prior five years. For purposes of counting violations, a continuing and uninterrupted violation shall be considered as one violation. Different types of violations shall be counted as separate violations regardless of whether the violations were committed during the same period. A violation must relate to one of the following:1The construction or operation of a confinement feeding operation structure, or the installation or use of a related pollution control device or practice, for which the person must obtain a permit, in violation of this chapter, or rules adopted by the department, including the terms or conditions of the permit.2Intentionally making a false statement or misrepresenting information to the department as part of an application for a construction permit for a confinement feeding operation structure, or the installation of a related pollution control device or practice for which the person must obtain a construction permit.3Failing to obtain a permit or approval by the department in violation of this chapter or departmental rule which requires a permit to construct or operate a confinement feeding operation or use a confinement feeding operation structure, anaerobic lagoon, or a pollution control device or practice which is part of a confinement feeding operation.4Operating a confinement feeding operation, including a confinement feeding operation structure, or a related pollution control device or practice, which causes pollution to the waters of the state, if the pollution was caused intentionally, or caused by a failure to take measures required to abate the pollution which resulted from an act of God.5Failing to submit a manure management plan as required pursuant to section 459.312, or operating a confinement feeding operation without having a manure management plan approved by the department.bThis subsection shall not apply unless the department has previously notified the person of the person’s classification as a habitual violator. The department shall notify persons classified as habitual violators of their classification, additional restrictions imposed upon the persons pursuant to their classification, and special civil penalties that may be imposed upon the persons. The notice shall be sent to the persons by certified mail.2Moneys assessed and collected in civil penalties, and interest earned on civil penalties, arising out of a violation involving an animal feeding operation shall be credited to the Iowa nutrient research fund created in section 466B.46.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §26, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 2622003 Acts, ch 108, §87; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143; 2011 Acts, ch 128, §38, 45; 2016 Acts, ch 1134, §29, 34459.605Habitual violators — permit restrictions.For five years after the date of the last violation of this chapter committed by a person or by a confinement feeding operation in which the person holds a controlling interest during which the person or confinement feeding operation was classified as a habitual violator under section 459.604, all of the following shall apply:1The department may not issue a new permit under this chapter to the person or confinement feeding operation.2The department may revoke or refuse to renew an existing permit issued under this chapter to the person or confinement feeding operation, if the permit relates to a confinement feeding operation and the department determines that the continued operation of the confinement feeding operation under the existing permit constitutes a clear, present, and impending danger to the public health or environment.2002 Acts, ch 1137, §26, 67, 68, 71; 2002 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1003, §260, 262