"The majority of them are pretty well taken care of," said Karl Rockeman, an environmental engineer with the state Health Department, who works to help operators manage their waste systems. "There are some that will be a little bit behind that deadline, just because of construction difficulties. "

Rockeman said large animal feedlot operations - those with 1,000 or more beef cattle, 700 or more dairy cattle or 2,500 or more large swine - must comply with the rules for containing the runoff by July 2007. He estimates the state has about 100 large-animal feedlot operations, and about two-thirds of those have been inspected and have plans in place.

Source: The Associated Press