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County approves resolution to participate in Iowa DNR master-matrix review for large animal confinement permits
Summary
Woodbury County approved a resolution to remain on record with the Iowa DNR to review master-matrix scoring and permit applications for large animal confinement operations above the state threshold, enabling staff review, on-site visits and county input into siting and separation-distance considerations.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to continue the county's participation in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) master-matrix process for large animal confinement operations. Dan Priestley, planning and zoning director, told the board the resolution places the county "on the books" to receive DNR notifications, review the master-matrix rubric for proposed facilities above the animal-unit threshold and provide county input on separation distances from houses, waterways, schools and places of worship.
Priestley explained the master-matrix process is a state rubric that both applicants and counties use to calculate points based on facility characteristics and siting; when an operation exceeds the threshold (typically large-scale hog confinement), the county has an opportunity to review and, if necessary, contest the scoring or request site visits by county staff. "It basically gives the county ... a voice, to look at the master matrix," Priestley said, summarizing the policy rationale. The board approved the resolution 5-0.
Staff indicated this is a routine annual action that maintains a formal channel for local review of state-level permits; no additional conditions or amendments were recorded.
