Purpose

The bill would require a formal environmental review for very large livestock projects by changing state rules to mandate an environmental impact statement (EIS) for certain feedlot developments.

Main Provisions

• The Environmental Quality Board must amend Minnesota Rules part 4410.4400 so that an environmental impact statement is required for:
  • construction of an animal feedlot facility with a capacity of 10,000 or more animal units, or
  • expansion of an existing feedlot facility to a total cumulative capacity of 10,000 or more animal units.
• The commissioner may use the good-cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause 3 to adopt rules under this section.
• Minnesota Statutes section 14.386 does not apply to this rulemaking, except as provided under Minnesota Statutes section 14.388.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a mandatory environmental impact statement requirement for large livestock projects (specifically feedlots at or exceeding 10,000 animal units).
• Allows the rulemaking process to proceed under a good-cause exemption, potentially altering standard procedural requirements for adopting these rules (with the caveat that 14.386 does not apply except as allowed by 14.388).

Implementation Considerations

• Applies to construction or expansion that reaches the 10,000 animal unit threshold.
• Changes how quickly and under what procedures new rules can be adopted for implementing the EIS requirement.

Relevant Terms

environmental impact statement, Environmental Quality Board, Minnesota Rules part 4410.4400, animal units, animal feedlot facility, construction, expansion, good-cause exemption, Minnesota Statutes section 14.388, Minnesota Statutes section 14.386, rulemaking.