MCGA disappointed in MPCA’s lack of engagement around abrupt fee increases 

Yesterday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency notified agriculture groups that application fees for air and water permits would be abruptly increased. Effective today, application fees for those permits have increased either 48% or 56%. For a general feedlot permit—which is needed for livestock operations—the application fee increased 56% from $620 to $970. 

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is disappointed in the increase in application fees, which will negatively impact family farmers at a time of rising costs and tight margins.  We are also disappointed in the MPCA’s abrupt announcement of the increases. It’s particularly disappointing since the agency has been engaging with farmers around changes to feedlot oversight via SDS/NPDES permit updates and 7020 feedlot rule updates for over a year. 

“There were plenty of opportunities for the agency to discuss this increase with farmers,” MCGA President Jim Kanten said in a statement. “As our partners have said, the sudden increase absolutely sends the wrong message. We call on the agency to justify the fee increase and detail what additional value it will bring to livestock producers, ethanol plants, and agriculture processing facilities.” 

According to the MPCA, the air and water permit application fees will be updated every two years from now on. In addition to the feedlot program, all air, municipal wastewater, and industrial wastewater will also see fee increases.