Relating to animal agriculture, by providing for a public hearing conducted by the board of supervisors in a county where a structure associated with a confinement feeding operation is proposed to be constructed, including expanded, and including effective date provisions

The board may require the applicant to select a project manager named in the application to attend the public hearing and participate by explaining the application, stating a position regarding the application, and answering questions. The project manager’s comments may be submitted to DNR with the other comments. It is presumed that the project manager attended and participated in the public hearing. The board may submit evidence that a project manager did not attend or participate in the public hearing. If the board satisfies DNR that these requirements were not satisfied, DNR cannot approve the application. BACKGROUND —— PERMIT REQUIREMENTS. DNR’s responsibility to approve or disapprove a permit application and a board’s right to review and evaluate the application is based on several factors including: (1) an operation’s capacity and (2) the construction of an unformed manure storage structure.303). As part of the process, the permit application must be filed with DNR and the board in the county where the construction is to occur. The board may hold a public hearing to receive public comments regarding the application and forward its comments and public comments to DNR prior to the agency’s decision to approve or disapprove the application. The board is required to publish a notice of a scheduled public hearing in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county.304). EFFECTIVE DATE. The bill takes effect upon enactment.