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Van Buren County supervisors adopt resolution to review confinement-feeding permit applications
Summary
The board approved Resolution #01-13-2025A adopting Iowa's construction-evaluation master-matrix process so the county may submit recommendations to the Iowa DNR on confinement feeding operation permit applications for Feb. 1, 2025–Jan. 31, 2026.
The Van Buren County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 13 to adopt a construction evaluation resolution that lets the county evaluate confinement feeding operation construction permit applications and submit recommendations to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. On motion by Supervisor House, seconded by Supervisor Waugh, the board approved Resolution #01-13-2025A. The roll call vote was Meek — Aye; Waugh — Aye; House — Aye.
The resolution, adopting authority under Iowa Code section 459.304(3), directs the board to evaluate every construction permit application for confinement feeding operation structures received between Feb. 1, 2025, and Jan. 31, 2026, using the master matrix in Iowa Code section 459.305. The board may base its recommendation to the DNR on the final master-matrix score or on other reasons explained in its recommendation.
Tom O'Donnell of Bentonsport spoke at the meeting in favor of the board adopting the resolution. The action formally enables Van Buren County to participate in the DNR permitting process and to contest DNR decisions on individual applications if the county submits an adopted recommendation.
The board approved the resolution at its Jan. 13 meeting; there was no recorded dissent. The county will apply the master matrix and prepare recommendations on permit applications received during the designated period.
