This bill amends Iowa's Code chapter 459, specifically section 459.311, to enhance regulations on confinement feeding operations by mandating the installation and operation of water pollution monitoring systems. The bill stipulates that owners or operators of confinement feeding operations, excluding small animal feeding operations, must implement these monitoring systems to collect and record data on pollutants discharged into groundwater or surface water sources. The collected data must be reported to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) every ninety days, and the DNR is required to publish this data on its website and report it to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for violations of these regulations, allowing for civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for administrative violations and up to $5,000 per day for judicial violations. This legislative change aims to improve environmental oversight and accountability in the management of confinement feeding operations, thereby addressing potential pollution issues associated with these agricultural practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 459.311