News

Nebraska bill offers livestock zoning assistance

Iowa hog barns 5-13A bill that would create voluntary state guidelines for county approval of new or expanded livestock operations has advanced to final reading in the Nebraska Unicameral.

LB106 directs the state Department of Agriculture to develop an assessment matrix for county officials to use when considering livestock operation proposals.  In its original form, the bill would have mandated the use of that matrix in county livestock siting decisions, but it was amended to make it voluntary.

“There were a lot of concerns over local control,” says Jay Rempe, vice president for governmental relations with Nebraska Farm Bureau, “and so the ultimate package that emerged still keeps the development of the matrix but it would be completely voluntary by the county and would be a tool they could use to evaluate the livestock operations.”

In Nebraska, livestock permitting decisions are made at the county level. Those decisions sometimes get bogged down over issues such as odor and water pollution. The lack of consistency from county to county has also been frustrating to livestock operations looking to expand or relocate in Nebraska.

“One of our goals was to try to provide some uniformity across the state in regard to how these livestock operations—when they apply for a local permit—how they’re treated and some of the things they look at,” Rempe says.

Two other livestock related bills are awaiting first round debate.  LB176 changes current law to allow packing companies to own and feed hogs in the state.  LB175 provides grants and other incentives to counties that want to expand livestock production.

AUDIO: Jay Rempe

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published.


 

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe for our newsletter today and receive relevant news straight to your inbox!