Findings from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informal investigation of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) permit program for concentrated animal feeding operations pointed to several correctable deficiencies.

The EPA’s initial findings stated that IDNR does not have an adequate program to assess whether unpermitted concentrated animal feeding operations need National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.

The EPA also found that in a number of cases involving Clean Water Act violations, IDNR failed to take timely and adequate enforcement actions and assess adequate penalties. The report containing the initial findings is available here.