Livestock siting permit standards passed

County officials in Nebraska will have a set of guidelines to use when considering livestock operation proposals under a bill passed May 21.

Introduced by Syracuse Sen. Dan Watermeier, LB106 requires the state Department of Agriculture and a committee of experts appointed by the department director to create an assessment formula that county officials may use when considering livestock operation siting permits, conditional use permits and special exception applications.

Criteria used in the formula could include size and type of the operation, proximity to neighboring residences and public use areas, manure storage, public support of the project and odor control practices.

The committee could include up to 10 members representing county board and zoning administrators, livestock production experts and University of Nebraska representatives. The committee is required to review the assessment matrix annually.

Senators passed the bill on a 44-2 vote.