Providing for a manure management planning map

BACKGROUND. An animal feeding operation (AFO) is regulated by the department of natural resources (DNR) under several Code chapters, including Code chapter 459 governing all AFOs, which includes provisions regulating confinement feeding operations, and Code chapter 459A, which includes selected provisions regulating open feedlot operations. An AFO is an area in which agricultural animals are confined for 45 days or more in any 12-month period, and all associated structures used for the storage of manure. 102).102). Manure from an open feedlot operation includes solids that may not be stored in a structure (stockpiled). Open feedlot effluent refers to a combination of manure, precipitation-induced runoff, or other runoff from an open feedlot before its settleable solids have been removed. Both Code chapters regulate the application of manure, often pursuant to a plan required to be filed with DNR.208) covering effluent. BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill requires DNR to prepare and publish on its internet site a manure management planning map (MMPM) to assist a person applying manure originating from an AFO. The MMPM must be part of an interactive program in the form of a digital dynamic map that identifies areas vulnerable to the application of manure based on a number of factors determined by DNR. The factors must at least include terrain and topography, the effect of climatic conditions, and proximity to a designated area or a water source. A designated area refers to 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 (designated as a protected wetland by the United States department of the interior or DNR), or a water source (a lake, river, reservoir, creek, stream, ditch, or other body of water or channel having definite banks and a bed with water flow). An MMPM must also identify fields that are included in more than one MMP or NMP. A person completing a manure management plan (in the case of a confinement feeding operation) or nutrient management plan (in the case of an open feedlot operation) must verify that the person consults with the MMPM prior to application.