Producers not required to respond to information requests

BISMARCK, N.D - Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has been made aware that producers operating permitted livestock facilities have been receiving letters from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), telling them of an open records request about their facility.

"While the letters correctly state that no action is required on the part of the producer, there has been some confusion," said Goehring. "Producers are not subject to open records requests but may feel the need to contact the group that is listed. The group requesting information is a non-governmental organization (NGO). If producers have any questions, they should contact the DEQ directly."

"The requests are being made by the Dakota Resource Council, an environmental organization generally opposed to typical agriculture operations," Goehring continued. "Do not respond back to the name listed on the request. Be sure to direct any questions directly to the DEQ at 701-328-5237."