Application History

The DNR developed the AFO Siting Atlas in 2005 to help livestock and poultry producers who are planning a new animal feeding operation, or the expansion or modification of an existing operation. This application gives a quick overview of the landscape features that must be considered when planning construction. The application includes locations of alluvial soils, alluvial aquifers, karst topography, sinkholes, wells, surface waters, slopes, and public lands.

2024 Update

Added the following regulatory layers: karst, sinkholes, and one hundred year floodplains in major water sources, that became effective on June 19, 2024. Changes to the regulatory layers must be done through the formal rulemaking process.

2022 Update

Updates include:

• Added 100-year floodplains of major water sources. Please note the addition of this layer is part of a draft rule making for 567 IAC 65 and is to be considered a draft layer only. Until the draft rule making has been finalized, producers should continue to use the process for siting of a 100-year floodplain as stated in the current 567 IAC 65.7.
• Added truck washes and digesters to AFO facilities.

2021 Update

In February 2021, the AFO Siting Atlas was updated to improve functionality and accuracy, add layers, and to include new drawing tools.

Updates include:

• Upon opening the map, the default was changed to only show FO boundaries and roads. AFO locations appear once user is zoomed in. All other layers must be turned on.
• Improved measuring tool accuracy.
• Added Township search function.
• Added drawing tools that allow the user to draw buffers of a specified radius or radii around a point, circle, ellipse, rectangle, or polygon.
• Modified information box.
• Added watershed boundaries.
• Updated sinkhole and potential karst layers.
• Removed 100-year floodplain map until it can be used for AFO regulatory purposes.

Navigation

• Address search: Type an address in the address search box. A comma should separate each portion of the address. Example: 123 X St, Des Moines, IA, 50311
• PLSS search: Tier/Township Range Section search. Example: T84NR03E02
• AFO search: Type 5-digit animal feeding operations Facility ID
• Search Township Name: Type either county or township name. Options will appear in County,Township format. Select the desired location from the drop-down list.
• Zoom:
  • Use the +|- buttons on the map
  • Double-click on the map
  • While holding down the shift key, click and drag the mouse cursor on the map to zoom to an area
  • Use the + and - keys on the keyboard
  • Use the mouse scroll wheel
• Pan/Move Map:
  • Click and hold the mouse while dragging
  • Use the arrow keys

Map Features

• Place AFO Site: Click on the map to place a marker and get AFO siting parameters.
• Measure: Click on the measure tool (ruler) on the tool bar above the map.
• Mail AFO location: Click on the mail button (envelope) on the tool bar above the map. This will fill the body of the mail message with a URL that includes the location of the placed marker.

Drawing Tools

• On/Off: Click on "Drawing Tools" to see options for drawing buffers around shapes. Click again to remove options from the map.
• Point: To draw a circle, or circles around a point, click on Point, then type in the desired buffer distance(s) and select the appropriate units from the drop-down list, then click on the map to create the graphic.
• Rectangle: Click on Rectangle and choose the distance(s) of the desired radius/radii of the buffer(s). Click on the map and drag your mouse until the shape is correct. The first point you click will be a corner of the rectangle.
• Circle, Ellipse: Click on the desired shape and choose the distance(s) of the desired buffer. Click on the map and drag your mouse until the shape is correct. For these shapes, the first place you click will be the center of the shape.
• Polygon: Once you have selected Polygon and the desired distance(s), click on the map to create the corners of the shape and double-click to finish drawing the shape.
• Freehand Polygon: After selecting Freehand Polygon and the desired distance(s), click and drag the mouse along the edge of the shape, like drawing with a pencil.
• Clear Graphics: To remove any graphics, click on Clear Graphics.