Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Disposal System (SDS) permits are issued to the larger feedlots in Minnesota for construction and operation.
Annual reporting
Annual reports, due March 1 each year, are submitted using the online annual reporting service.
The annual report due March 1, 2027, may continue to use an email submittal process via the form below.
Online training for reporting
Interactive trainings to explain MPCA's online annual reporting process.
- Annual online reporting quick overview
Quick course to highlight the 5 basic steps of online annual reporting. - Submitting an annual report online
Course covers the entire process: screen by screen, and step by step.
Applying for a permit
The MPCA no longer accepts paper or email applications. Applicants must use the online feedlot permit application service.
Required permit application attachments
You are required to complete an emergency response plan using the provided template.
You are required to develop a manure management plan (MMP) developed using the online Nutrient Management Tool, which is accessed via the same online services homepage as the permit application. Refer to the Land application of manure page for Nutrient Management Tool information and guidance.
Permit application guidance and training materials
Online training for permitting
Interactive trainings to explain MPCA's feedlot permitting processes.
- Getting started with online feedlot permitting
Setting up an online services account and gaining access to the facility that you own or are working with. - Applying for a NPDES or SDS permit online
Course covers the entire permit process, screen by screen, and step by step. - Completing an application prepared by a consultant
Guidance for feedlot owners who need to sign and submit a consultant-prepared permit application.
Recordkeeping
Owners must keep records of visual inspections required by the permit.
Owners are required to keep manure application records within the online Nutrient Management Tool. Refer to the Land application of manure webpage for Nutrient Management Tool information and guidance.
Other information
Find construction guidance and location and notification requirements on the Construction, operation, and technical requirements page.
Permit public notices
Prior to issuing coverage under a NPDES or SDS permit, a 30-day public comment period is provided. NPDES and SDS permitting actions open for public comment are available at the link provided below.
Public notices explain:
- how to submit written comment
- the MPCA office where the application is being processed
- how to request a public information meeting or a contested case hearing
- how to submit a petition to the MPCA commissioner
MPCA public notices and draft permits are listed during the public comment period. (Note: There may or may not be feedlot-related public notices available in the current listing of public notices. Feedlot listings will include the term “Feedlot”.)
What other permits may be required?
This may not be a complete list of all required permits. Contact the MPCA, your county feedlot officer and local zoning officials for information about other possible requirements, such as setbacks from residential areas, other local zoning regulations, and stormwater pollution prevention controls.
- Construction stormwater: All feedlot construction activities that disturb one or more acres must comply with construction stormwater regulations, including the preparation of a stormwater pollution prevention plan. When feedlot construction activity will disturb 5 or more acres, the owner must apply for a construction stormwater permit, unless the feedlot has obtained coverage under a feedlot NPDES permit.
- A water use (appropriation) permit from the DNR is required for all users withdrawing more than 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1 million gallons per year.
- Local ordinances regulating livestock in Minnesota (Minn. Dept. of Agriculture) has links to individual county feedlot ordinances.