IOWA COUNTIES & THE DNR MASTER MATRIX
by Molly Regan

Good news for those of us in the IOWA counties that choose to retain the Department Of Natural Resources’ (DNR) MASTER MATRIX system.  This Master Matrix is “a scoring system that can be used to evaluate the siting of permitted confinement feeding operations” according to information at www.iowadnr.com.  This questionnaire is for animal confinement owners as well as smaller farmers who raise a certain number of cattle, hogs, or chickens.  They need to indicate how creating or expanding their business will impact the surrounding COMMUNITY, THE WATER, AND THE AIR.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS in each IOWA county has until January 31st, 2005, to choose whether or not to continue (or in some cases take up) the requirement that the Master Matrix be used for building permits.  For example, if a company wants to build a 30,000 chicken production facility in Scott County (whose Board Of Supervisors APPROVED for the THIRD YEAR in a row the Master Matrix), it would need to fill it out in that county.  

One of the questions on the Master Matrix is as follows: “ Groundwater monitoring wells installed near manure storage structure, and applicant agrees to provide data to the department.”  If these monitoring wells will indeed be in place, then a score of 15 can be divided under the Air, the Water, and/or the Community sections.  44 questions with a total of 880 possible points are on the questionnaire.  At least one half of the total must be reached for approval.

Use of this system is of the utmost importance if counties want to have any say as to whether or not confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) operate or upgrade within their boundaries.  The DNR still has the final say, but at least with this Master Matrix, each county can still have input on new or expanding operations.   For the smaller farmer, some may have to fill out the paperwork if their expansion goes beyond a certain number of animal units.

Of utmost concern is AIR POLLUTION caused by these facilities.  Even a 500-head hog operation can create much HYDROGEN SULFIDE and AMONIA.  Both of these, if too concentrated, can cause damage to humans.  According to DR. KAY KIMBALL in his (yes, it is a man) book ‘CHEMICAL BRAIN INJURY,’ too much exposure to these toxins can cause memory loss, imbalance, reproductive problems, unconsciousness, and even death.  Dr. Kimball has researched this area for over 20 years, and his book explains in depth the consequences of living near or working in an environment which produces harmful bi-products.

Check with your local Board of Supervisors to see if your county is part of the process.  Encourage them to do so. We all need to be involved with this, even if you live in an urban area.  Three years ago, I spoke in front of the Clinton & Scott Counties Boards, and I believe it helped encourage them to each go with the Matrix.  

For more information go to: www.iowadnr.com or contact your local Board of Supervisors…..And don’t forget: CPR/Conserve, Participate, Recycle