The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) appreciates the tireless work that Minnesota’s farmers do every day to feed the world.  For the more than 1,000 farmers and operators who have Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Disposal System (SDS) permit, MPCA also recognizes that permit coverage and certainty are immensely important.

MPCA is continuing to work on developing and reviewing potential draft feedlot permits. Early feedback from January 2024 is being used to further refine possible permit conditions. In addition, the MPCA continues to discuss these permits with the EPA.  As a result, MPCA’s initial timeline to start public comment this spring on the feedlot permits is no longer viable.

“We thank MPCA and the Walz administration for heeding our concerns and delaying their feedlot permit timeline,” said Bob Worth, a Lake Benton farmer and president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. “This time of year is a very busy one for producers across the state, so adjusting this time is welcomed by all of us.”

MPCA remains committed to a robust public comment schedule. Minnesotans will still have 45 days to provide their official comments and feedback on the proposed permits. Its feedlot staff will be readily available throughout the comment period to answer specific questions about the permits. Lastly, MPCA will host three in-person community meetings during the comment period. Those three meetings will be held in southeastern, south-central and central Minnesota.

MPCA expects to start its public comment period this summer.  Recognizing that Minnesota’s growing season can be challenging, we hope to schedule this comment period during the narrow window when farmers are not in the field. MPCA is also using technology, including its online SmartComment portal, to better share information and gather comments to collect feedback from your phone, tablet or desktop computer.

MSPCA will continue to provide additional schedule updates in the coming weeks. If you have questions,  please contact the MPCA’s feedlot staff.