ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 11, 2009

LIVESTOCK PROGRAM MAY HELP WITH FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR

BISMARCK – Livestock producers whose operating facilities were damaged by spring flooding are urged to consider the Livestock Pollution Prevention Program (LP3) before starting or contracting repair work.

“LP3 provides technical and financial assistance to help producers develop manure management systems that comply with federal and state environmental regulations,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Some producers may find that their damaged facilities can be part of such a system and thereby eligible for LP3 cost-share funding.”

LP3 can provide cost-share assistance of up to 60 percent for lagoons, run-off ponds, clean water diversions, lot sloping, fencing, waterers, stacking pads, heavy use cement cattle aprons, piping, manure pumps, and possible relocation of facilities.

Goehring said interested producers should contact Jason Wirtz, the LP3 coordinator in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA), at (701) 328-2216.

Wirtz will visit the producer’s operation, evaluate the site and provide environmental management recommendations. If necessary, a consulting engineer is hired to design manure handling facilities to be built by the producer and/or contractor.

Established in 2000 as the Dairy Pollution Prevention Program, LP3 has assisted more than 300 producers across the state. The program is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.