In 2004, Wisconsin enacted the Livestock Facility Siting Law (2003 Act 235) designed to reform local regulation affecting livestock facilities. The law is intended to ensure a more predictable and fairer system of local regulation. While the new law retains local authority to control rural land use through planning and zoning, it mandates that local governments follow state standards and procedures if they require individual approval for new and expanding livestock facilities. Central to the siting law are standards that local governments must apply whenever they make decisions to approve or deny applications for livestock facilities. These state siting standards are being developed through rule making, in accordance with specific requirements set forth in the law. As proposed in the final draft rule, the standards will protect air and water quality, while providing the livestock industry a predictable regulatory framework within which to grow and modernize.