Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know

Rules & Regulations

State agencies are responsible for implementing laws passed by the Iowa General Assembly. The Department of Natural Resources writes rules to implement the laws. Expand the tab for help finding specific sections of administrative rules or laws governing animal feeding operations.


Fact Sheets and Information for Animal Feeding Operations

Air Quality Field Study

The DNR Air Quality Bureau conducted a field study near animal feeding operations to evaluate air quality in rural Iowa. The purpose was to discover if harmful concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, or odors were emitted.



EPA/DNR Work Plan

DNR and EPA Region 7 executed a Work Plan as a means to strengthen Iowa’s implementation of the federally authorized NPDES program. This Work Plan contains activities and commitments by DNR and Region 7 that span federal fiscal years 2013-2019.

Other Useful Links

  • GeoSam
    The University of Iowa’s GeoSam is “Iowa’s geologic site and sample tracking program. GeoSam provides location, identification, and other key information about every available well, rock exposure, or site of geologic information in Iowa. GeoSam can be searched using either a map-based or text-based interface.”
     
  • GISU – Iowa Geographic Map Data
    This site provided by Iowa State University allows free access to Iowa geographic map data through an online map viewer, ArcIMS map services, or through GIS software extensions.
     
  • Iowa Geodata (requires GIS software)
    Iowa Geodata is the State's clearinghouse of geospatial data. The site contains data that was previously found on the DNR’s NRGIS Library.
     
  • Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG)
    Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach page provides information on manure applicator certification training, links to service providers, and other relevant topics for owners and operators of animal feeding operations.
     
  • Pollution Control Tax Exemption and Certification for Animal Feeding Operations
    Pollution control properties may be eligible for a property tax exemption if certain criteria are met. See DNR Form 542-0640 or visit the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website for more information.
     
  • State Revolving Fund (SRF)
    The Livestock Water Quality Program (LWQ) offers low-interest loans through participating lenders to Iowa livestock producers for projects to prevent, minimize or eliminate non-point source pollution of Iowa’s rivers and streams from animal feeding operations.
     

The Field Services and Compliance Bureau conducts routine inspections of animal feeding operations, reviews manure management and nutrient management plans, inspects earthen basins, inspects potential construction sites, investigates complaints and responds to manure, fertilizer and chemical spills.

DNR's AFO Construction Permitting Section reviews applications for construction permits for animal feeding operations. An engineer coordinates this review with the applicant, the applicant's engineer and other DNR staff to assure that all requirements are met before a permit is issued. The construction permitting section is located in Field Office 2 and Field Office 3 of the Field Services and Compliance Bureau.

The DNR regulates construction on all flood plains and floodways in the state to protect life and property; and to promote the orderly development and wise use of Iowa's flood plains. The Floodplains section responds to requests for Flood Plain Determinations or Declaratory Orders from producers who are planning to build, expand or modify a confinement feeding operation that will be using formed storage, and the proposed location is on alluvial soils or alluvial aquifer as determined by using the AFO Siting Atlas.

The NPDES (or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) section of Iowa DNR issues NPDES and storm water permits to animal feeding operations. Authority to issue these federal permits has been delegated to the DNR by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Iowa NPDES staff provide technical assistance to animal feeding operators. The NPDES staff coordinate with DNR field office staff when NPDES permits are issued, and with the construction permitting staff to ensure facility designs meet NPDES permit requirements.

+ Adopted by Reference Documents

Note: The documents below are draft versions of what will be incorporated into Chapter 65 by reference. The document shall not be changed unless it is reviewed through the formal rulemaking process.

65.1(2) Incorporation by reference. The text of the following incorporated materials is not included in this chapter. The materials are provided on the department’s website at the following link https://iowadnr.gov/afo/rules. The materials listed below are hereby made a part of this chapter. For material subject to change, only the specific version specified in this subrule is incorporated. Any amendment or revision to a reference document is not incorporated until this subrule has been amended to specify the new version.

     a. “Act means the federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act as defined by 40 CFR 403.3 as amended through July 19, 2023;

     b. “AFO Siting Atlas” means an online mapping tool to assist in determining compliance of potential building sites to meet regulatory requirements. The AFO Siting Atlas is located on the department’s website, and the regulatory layers are effective as of [the effective date of these rules]. Any changes to the regulatory layers of the AFO Siting Atlas shall be done through rulemaking. Regulatory layers include: karst, 100-year floodplains of a major water source, and sinkholes;

     c. “CFR” or “Code of Federal Regulations means the federal administrative rules adopted by the United States as amended through July 19, 2023;

     d. County Parks and Recreation Areas listed in Iowa’s County Conservation System Guide to Outdoor Adventure as shown on [the effective date of these rules];

     e. Parks in Iowa under the federal jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers listed on the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ website as shown on [the effective date of these rules];

     f. Designated Wetlands in Iowa (pdf file) - effective date August 23, 2006;

     g. Emergency spill line telephone number is 515.725.8694 - effective date January 1, 2023;

     h. Appendix A: Open Feedlot effluent control alternatives for open feedlot operations. (pdf file)   - effective date December 14, 2016;

     i. Appendix B: Master Matrix. (pdf file)   - effective date March 1, 2003;

     j. Appendix C: Design specifications – formed manure storage structures. (pdf file)  - effective date March 24, 2004;

     k. Table 1: Major Water Sources – Rivers and Streams. (pdf file)   - effective date December 14, 2016};

     l. Table 2: Major Water Sources – Lakes. (pdf file)   - effective date December 14, 2016;

     m. Table 3: Annual pounds of nitrogen per space of capacity. (pdf file)   - effective date September 15, 2010;

     n. Table 4: Crop nitrogen usage rate factors. (pdf file)   - effective date December 14, 2016;

     o. Table 5: Manure production per space of capacity. (pdf file)   - effective date September 15, 2010;

     p. Table 6: Required separation distances for confinement feeding operations construction on or after March 1, 2003-swine, sheep, horses, poultry, and beef and dairy cattle. (pdf file)   - effective date September 15, 2010;

     q. Table 6a: Required separation distances for confinement feeding operations constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to March 1, 2003-swine, sheep, horses and poultry. (pdf file)  - effective date September 15, 2010;

     r. Table 6b: Required separation distances for confinement feeding operations constructed on or after January 1, 1999, but prior to March 1, 2003-beef and dairy cattle. (pdf file)  - effective date September 15, 2010;

     s. Table 6c: Required separation distances for confinement feeding operations constructed prior to January 1, 1999-swine, sheep, horses and poultry. (pdf file)  - effective date September 15, 2010;

     t. Table 6d: Required separation distances for confinement feeding operations constructed prior to January 1, 1999-beef and dairy cattle. (pdf file)  - effective date September 15, 2010;

     u. Table 7: Required separation distances for open feedlot operations, stockpiles from open feedlot operations, stockpiles from dry manure confinement operations and stockpiles from dry bedded confinement operations. (pdf file) - effective date September 15, 2010;

     v. Table 8: Summary of credit for mechanical aeration. (pdf file)- effective date September 15, 2010;

     w. List of High-Quality Water Resources in 567 IAC 61 (pdf file) - effective date January 1, 2001;

     w. List of High-Quality Water Resources in 567 IAC 61 (pdf file) - effective date January 1, 2001;

     x. NRCS Iowa Technical Note No.25 Iowa Phosphorus Index (pdf file) - publication date April 2023;

     y. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication PM 1688, "A General Guide for Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa" (pdf file) - publication date February 2023;

     z. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication PMR 1003, "Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production" (pdf file) - publication date April 2023;

     aa. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication AE 3550, "How to Sample Manure for Nutrient Analysis" (pdf file) - publication date January 2021;

     bb. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication CROP 31-8, "Take a Good Soil Sample to Help Make Good Fertilization Decisions" (pdf file) - publication date December 2016.

Draft Rulemaking

In accordance with Executive Order 10, the DNR will hold a formal public comment period until February 23, 2024, for the proposed Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 65 (567 IAC Chapter 65) - Animal Feeding Operations. The Notice of Intended Action was published in the December 27 edition of Iowa Administrative Bulletin.

The public may provide comments on the proposed rule. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 pm on February 23, 2024. Written comments may be sent in any of the following manner:

Email: afo@dnr.iowa.gov 

Fax: 515.725.8201 

Mail: Iowa DNR, Attn: Kelli Book, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.

Additionally, two public hearings on the proposed rule will be held. Persons who wish to make oral comments at a public hearing will be asked to state their names for the record and confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rulemaking.

In-Person: Wednesday, February 14, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm, Auditorium - Wallace State Office Building

Virtual: Monday, February 19, from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. To participate in the virtual hearing, please submit a request for the link to afo@dnr.iowa.gov. All requests for the link must be received by 9:00 am on February 19. Any persons who intend to attend a hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the DNR and advise of specific needs.

For questions, please contact Kelli Book at afo@dnr.iowa.gov

+ Executive Order 10 Implementation

Executive Order 10 (EO10) signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to review existing administrative rules and identify rules that will be rescinded or retained.

The DNR reviewed 567 IAC Chapter 65 in 2023. Opportunities for public input and information for public review during the department's implementation of EO10 has been posted as it becomes available.

EO10 Activities

The DNR held virtual stakeholder meetings in March 2023. At these meetings, the EO10 implementation plans, scheduled, and draft rule changes were shared. Stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback and informal comments at the meetings and during the informal review period.

In accordance with EO10, the DNR held a public comment period from September 6 - September 26, 2023, for the regulatory analysis and proposed rule changes.  The proposal was published on September 6 in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin.  A public hearing on the draft changes was held on September 26; with attendance offered both in-person and in virtual format.

The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) approved the Notice of Intended Action on November 21, 2023.

For more information, contact afo@dnr.iowa.gov

The Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) includes all rules written by state agencies, including the Iowa Department of Natural Resources or DNR. These rules are written to administer state laws. Rules for animal feeding operations are found in Chapter 65 under the Environmental Protection Commission (agency identification number 567). There are also a few rules applicable to animal feeding operations located in 567 IAC Chapters 32, 60, 61, 63 and 64.

To view current rules:

  • Go to the Iowa Administrative Code website under the Environmental Protection Commission [567] listing.
  • Click on the rules, PDF or RTF tabs in the right-hand column under the appropriate chapter or use this direct link to 567 IAC Chapter 65.
  • 567 IAC Chapter 65 is broken down into specific sections, such as definitions, manure management plan requirements, manure applicator certification, construction requirements for open feedlots, etc. Sections 567 IAC 65.1 through 567 IAC 65.22 pertain to confinement feeding operations. Sections 567 IAC 65.100 through 567 IAC 65.114 pertain to open feedlots. For truck washes, see sections 567 IAC 65.200 through 567 IAC 65.210.

The Iowa Code includes all laws passed by the Iowa General Assembly. To find a specific section of Iowa Code relating to animal feeding operations:

  1. Iowa Code, Applicable chapters include:
    • Chapter 459 -- Animal Agriculture and Compliance Act
    • Chapter 459A -- Animal Agriculture and Compliance Act for Open Feedlot Operations
    • Chapter 459B -- Dry Bedded Confinement Feeding Operations
  2. Click on the rules, PDF or RTF tabs in the right-hand column under the appropriate chapter.

As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. This program includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) rule. In Iowa, EPA delegates enforcement of the NPDES program to the DNR. The DNR's NPDES section issues NPDES permits and storm water permits to animal feeding operations and provides technical assistance to animal feeding operation owners and operators. The EPA rules and rule history are available on its CAFO website.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 work together to implement the federally authorized National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program within Iowa in a timely, appropriate and effective manner.  We establish priorities, negotiate program commitments and work sharing, and evaluate program performance.  


DNR and Region 7 executed this Work Plan as a means to strengthen Iowa’s implementation of the federally authorized NPDES program.  This Work Plan contains activities and commitments by DNR and Region 7 that generally span federal fiscal years (FFY) 2013-2019.

Manure Discharge Chart

EPA Response - April 3, 2019

August 2018 Annual Work Plan Report

Work Plan Agreement

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)


Work Plan Obligations