(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency proposes changes to feedlot permits as officials present the initial ideas to the public.

Those changes could include protecting groundwater near vulnerable fields, most commonly in central and southeast Minnesota.

They will also include practices to prevent manure run-off through following manure management plans and being more specific when reporting data.

— RELATED: EPA tells MN agencies to act on water contamination —

The ultimate goal is to reduce nitrates in the ground and water to help protect us and the environment.

“Help with nitrate leeching mitigation and control runoff from land application, cause that’s the overarching goals we’re gonna have,” said George Schwint, a representative of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Manure recipients would have to comply with state and federal rules along with the permit requirements.

— RELATED: Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources awards $10 million to clean water —

The MPCA hopes to have applications open this coming December.