A Crawford County livestock producer has entered into a settlement agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for failing to file the required Manure Management Plan after purchasing a confinement facility. According to an Administrative Consent Order filed on Sept. 20 by the Iowa DNR, Malachi Schroeder had purchased a 2,400 head grow-to-finish swine operation on C Avenue, northwest of Schleswig on Oct. 8, 2020 from Brandon Wigg. In April of this year, Wigg contacted the DNR Field Office and related the sale information and stated he had contacted Schroeder to remind him of the MMP filing requirements. At that time, Schroeder indicated to Wigg that he had hired a consultant to assist with that process. However, when the DNR attempted to contact Schroeder in mid-May, they found his number disconnected. A follow-up notice of violation was mailed, which gave Schroeder until June 1 to comply with the MMP filing and payment of associated fees. As of the signing of the order in late September, there had not yet been an MMP filing or payment of those fees. Schroeder is now directed to submit the completed MMP to the DNR Field Office no later than 30 days from the signing of that order. Schroeder has also been ordered to pay nearly $3,500 in fees and penalties. Failure to comply with the Administrative Order could result in additional injunctive and civil penalties.
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