Growing IN Agriculture

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has the authority to call a public information on a specific pending CFO or CAFO permt application.  The meeting is an opportunity for citizens to ask questions to IDEM officials about the pending permit.  Listed below are typical questions asked at an IDEM public information meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions At Public IDEM/CAFO Meeting

1. What is the history of the IDEM ag regulatory process?

2. Who does IDEM consult with?

3. Is it true that IDEM staff has been reduced?

4. How big is the staff?

5. What is the IDEM's response time to emergency calls?

6. Is IDEM inspecting during construction of facility?

7. Have there been any problems with lagoons, ponds, pits,etc., leaking?

8. Is a special permit needed for hauling manure?

9. Does a property owner need bonding?  If not, why not?

10. Does IDEM use the 2005 Midwest Service Design manual?

11. Does IDEM conduct area survey before site is approved?

12. Does IDEM require plan to be approved by certified licensed engineer?

13. How many waterways are already impaired and does that play a role inreview process?

14. Does IDEM have licensed engineers on staff?

15. Does IDEM work with other state agencies?

16. Does IDEM believe concrete in pits will crack over time?

17. Does IDEM think local government should regulate livestock operations?

18. Have there been any reported problems?

19. Does IDEM require hydrological surveys?

20. How will the increase in livestock inspections announced by IDEM affect
    this county?

21. Would annual testing assure leak protection?

22. What does IDEM do with old facilities that are no longer in use
    (closure procedure)?

23. What is the typical problem IDEM encounters?

24. Does a geologist participate in the review process?

25. How does IDEM handle a permit application that is located in seasonal
    high ground water?

26. Why would monitoring wells NOT be considered at a site?

27. IDEM does not require information on the building on top of a concrete
    pit.  Isn't this a problem?

28. Is IDEM reviewing its current rules and considering revising them?

29. Liquid manure is high in nitrogen sulfide.  Why isn't the concrete
    required for a pit the highest Type 5 concrete?

30. How do you consider the affect on property values of homes close to
    CAFOs?

31. What's the monetary gain to a county?

32. How close would you want to live to a CAFO?

33. How is feed provided?

34. What are the most important issues we should worry about?

35. Is there an increase in CAFO/CFO applications this year?

36. How many inspections are done on a farm each year?

37. Does IDEM regulate air quality?

38. How does IDEM handle manure application?

39. Who monitors the monitor?

40. Has IDEM ever required a geotextile liner under a concrete pit?

41. Explain IDEM's enforcement procedure.

42. How often does IDEM do enforcement?

43. Has IDEM ever shut down a livestock operation?

44. Opponents to CFOs and CAFOs say their wells are going to be contaminated from them.  How many wells have been contaminated from CAFOs?

45. What are Indiana's and IDEM's greatest environmental challenges and how would you rate them in order of importance?