Winneshiek County supervisors unanimously ask the Iowa Legislature to review the DNR's Master Matrix for confinement operations

Winneshiek County supervisors are sending a message to 12 Iowa elected officials and to 98 other County Boards--it's time to address the failings of the Master Matrix used by the DNR to review confined animal operations.

Supervisor John Beard, who wrote the letter that will be mailed out to state and county officials in Iowa, says counties need "some measure of local control" over CAFOs.  Most of all, says Beard, the law was started 15 years ago and even CAFO owners admit some changes are needed.

Supervisor Floyd Ashbacher agreed with Beard's letter, saying it's time to fix what's not working.  Supervisor Dean Thompson says it's time to study how the confinement operations affect the environment, the economy and public safety.

One possible change discussed by supervisors on Monday is requiring all such operations to go through Iowa DNR review.  At present, if a confinement operation stays under a size limit, it avoids DNR review.

Winneshiek County's resolution will be sent to all 98 other county boards in Iowa, in the hopes they'll join in calling for a review of the Master Matrix.

(A copy of the resolution approved by county supervisors is linked below)