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Feedlot Permits Comments by Dr. James I. Sprague, Nutritionist Applying for Permits This article was initiated by a phone call from a Kansas cattle feeder that was planning to expand their feedlot. They knew from the popular press that new regulations have been put in place, but were confused about where to get information and where to apply for a permit. The process is different for each state or province. In the US most states will not only regulate water quality concerns according to the state statute, but may also be regulating the federal laws as well.For example, in Kansas the law House Bill No. 2950, (including amendments to previous legislation), is for the "regulation of confined animal feeding facilities; imposing restrictions on construction, operation and expansion of certain facilities, ..." "For the purpose of preventing surface and subsurface water pollution and soil pollution detrimental to public health or to plant, animal and aquatic life of the state ..." The law is for regulation of confined animal feeding facilities, and the law will be administered by an agency under Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Bureau of Water, Livestock Waste Management Section. Local Zoning Rules Apply Even though the permits are issued by the KDHE and their Division of Environment, Bureau of Waste Management Section, there may be local and state requirements for land use and water pollution control. Where to Get Help First of all try to get local help. This may be another feeder or a dirt moving company that has worked for a feedlot. They have constructed water retention ditches and holding ponds. Many times they know the rules and can not only help with the design, but they will help explain the design and plans that will be submitted to the inspectors. Ronnie Stanley of Stanley Feed Yard at Dodge City, Kansas, used his local dirt workman to help with their design of their second yard. Ronnie says that one has to be patient with the people involved. The specialists at the USDA's Natural Resources and Conservation Service (the old Soil Conservation Service) are a good source for some technical information about soil types and water run-off. There may be some monetary incentive programs in certain cases. The local extension service of the agriculture universities and their specialist also are a valuable resource for local information. A professional civil engineer or agricultural engineer may be required in some areas. The design is critical and careful planning is essential. Get the Rules; Know the Rules In Kansas there are several offices for the Livestock Waste Management Section. The main office is at Forbes Field, Topeka. The telephone at Topeka is 785-296-6432. There are other offices, one at Dodge City and another in Hays. There are a lot of new words being used in the Kansas regulations pertaining to water pollution control. Such words as confined feeding facility, animal unit capacity, animal waste management systems, change in operation, certification, "Clean Water Act" (of the Federal Government of the US). A total of four pages of fine print of definitions are listed. Of the many definitions that are important, animal capacity and separation distance are two critical issues of concern. In Kansas, the categories for animal capacity are under 999 head and over 999 head. The separation distances are 1320 feet for a feedlot with a capacity under 999 animal units. The distance for a larger feedlot is 4000 feet of separation. Think Big and Plan for Expansion Here are a few thoughts and examples to consider. Think big, plan for expansion maybe not for now, but for a future owner. *It is sometimes better to go to a new location rather than add resources to a facility that has major drawbacks from water and air pollution. Be cautious if the runoff will go to a stream or an existing natural pond. *My experience is that hard land is much better to build or remodel a feedlot than a sandy location. Hard land is much easier to build water retaining structures. *Moving dirt is a good investment to get drainage for the pens and control of run off. *The prevailing wind is important for the cattle's comfort. I prefer the cattle heads face east or south when at the feedbunk. *Location of the water tanks needs fine tuning. Tanks run over now and then, and trapping of stray water is needed. *Do not skimp on hauling good clay that will pack in the bottom of ponds. Get the clay or bentonite in the pond before the water accumulates. However, bentonite can be added to ponds that have water. *Ditches for water drainage often are too wide and difficult to maintain. *Use two retention ponds if possible. The first to hold the heavy settlings and the second to hold the water. Lift pumps work well for moving the surface water from the first pond to the second. |
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