Abstract

Siting Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with GIS
Track: Agriculture
Author(s): Alan Jensen

Iowa is home to over 3,000 CAFOs. Their numbers have increased dramatically in recent years, giving rise to multiple environmental and rural quality of life concerns. The livestock industry is a major part of Iowa's economy. Negative outputs affect quality of life, water quality, air quality and property values. Iowa county governments are not authorized to regulate the location of CAFOs. The Iowa Environmental Protection Commission has statutory authority to regulate CAFOs in the state. A primary tool is the "Master Matrix" that includes a scoring system for evaluating sites for permitting new and expanding confinements, based on air, water and community impacts. This study approaches the issue on a larger regional geographic basis using a geographic information system rather than a site specific basis as is presently done. The process used could potentially be utilized by regulatory authorities to aid in identifying both suitable and unsuitable locations for CAFOs.

Alan Jensen
Iowa State University Extension
2711 S. Loop Dr.
Suite 4900
Ames , Iowa 50010
United States
Phone: 515-294-2073
Fax: 515-294-1354
E-mail: adjensen@iastate.edu