Minnesota rules require that a permit 
application for an animal feedlot having 
1,000 or more animal units include an 
Air Emissions Plan and an Emergency 
Response Plan.  This fact sheet discusses 
plan requirements and some additional 
considerations for owners who are 
required to prepare and submit the plans 
with their permit application.
Air Emissions Plan
There are three basic components of an 
Air Emissions Plan.  The first part must 
describe methods and practices that will 
minimize air emissions.  The second part 
requires a description of measures that 
will be used to mitigate air emissions if 
the state ambient air quality standard for 
hydrogen sulfide is exceeded.  Part three 
of the plan requires the owner to 
describe how he or she will respond to 
odor complaints.

Air Emissions Plan, Part 1
Examples of methods and practices that 
can be used to minimize air emissions 
include:
?	Locating the manure storage area 
upwind and the greatest possible 
distance from neighbors
?	Landscaping and tree plantings to 
provide an air emissions screen or 
filter
?	Covering solid manure storage areas 
?	Placing a shield on the agitator 
during agitation of liquid manure
?	Agitating and pumping of liquid 
manure at times least likely to 
disturb neighbors

Air Emissions Plan, Part 2
If the hydrogen sulfide standard is 
exceeded, you should seek an 
independent third-party air emissions 
expert to evaluate the facility and submit 
a mitigation plan to the Minnesota 
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) 
within 45 days of the measured 
exceedance.  The mitigation plan must 
include an implementation schedule and 
a list of mitigation measures.  Guidance 
on mitigative measures and links to other 
example air emissions plans are 
available on the MPCA feedlot program 
webpage at 
www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/feedlots.html 
or by contacting feedlot program staff.

Air Emissions Plan, Part 3
Because odor complaints may be 
received by feedlot owners in spite of 
following best management practices, 
owners must develop a plan to respond 
to complaints.  The plan should include a 
listing of the following:
?	Each potential odor source at the 
facility including animal holding 
areas, manure storage areas, silage or 
feed storage areas, etc.



?	An evaluation and identification of the odor 
sources most likely to generate significant 
amounts of odor 
?	Anticipated odor control strategies for addressing 
each of the significant odor sources

This part of the plan is triggered by an odor complaint 
and not a measured hydrogen sulfide exceedance.  
The list of strategies for addressing the complaint may 
be as simple as not applying manure during time 
periods when the neighbors would be affected.  They 
should be low cost, easily implemented strategies that 
can be employed as needed.
Emergency Response Plans
The Emergency Response Plan also consists of three 
parts including the following:

Emergency Response Plan, Part 1
A description of the procedures that will contain, 
minimize and manage an unauthorized discharge.  For 
example, the description might be "My facility 
consists of an outside manure storage basin.  At our 
farm we have a creek a mile to the south that is 
downslope from the basin and would be the likely 
receptor in the event of a manure spill.  In the event of 
a spill, we would quickly use the earth moving 
equipment at our farm to contain the manure and then 
build dikes to prevent the manure from reaching the 
creek."

Emergency Response Plan, Part 2
A description of the procedures that will provide 
notification to the proper authorities.  For example: 
"We would contact the following authorities within 
24 hours of a manure spill: the Minnesota Duty 
Officer at (800) 422-0798 or (651) 649-5451; and the 
County Feedlot Officer at (CFO Phone Number) and 
MPCA staff at the nearest subdistrict office."

Emergency Response Plan, Part 3
A description of the procedures that will mitigate any 
adverse effects of an unauthorized discharge.  For 
example: "We will take any actions within reason for 
mitigating the effects of the discharge based on 
recommendations or requests from MPCA.  We will 
also contact certified land applicators to remove and 
land apply any manure that discharges from the site."

For More Information
For more information call your area office listed on 
the first page of this fact sheet and ask for the feedlot 
officer, or call the Feedlot Service Center toll-free at 
(877) 333-3508.

 


Air Emissions and Emergency 
Response Plans
wq-f3-07/April 10, 2001



Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, Minnesota  55155-4194
(651) 296-6300, toll-free (800) 657-3864, TTY (651) 282-5332 or (800) 657-3864
This material can be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities.
   Printed on recycled paper containing at least 20 percent fibers from paper recycled by consumers.

 

	
		
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