LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has released the first draft of new guidelines for a standardized approach to locating and approving large livestock operations.

The Nebraska Livestock Siting Assessment Matrix was released Monday, and that the guidelines’ designers intended for the draft to be a science-based tool to balance farm growth with protecting neighbors and natural resources.

The assessment matrix is only a suggested guideline and it will be up to local and county officials to determine whether they will follow it.

The department will accept comments on the matrix through July 31. An advisory committee will review and consider submitted comments before a final publication of the assessment matrix in August.